Blog Archives
Kevin DeYoung: Advice for Those Considering Seminary
Kevin DeYoung has written a helpful, short piece for those consider going to seminary. He asks nine questions under three categories. They are as follows:
Three questions before you go:
(1) Might you benefit from more “real world” experience first?
(2) Will your seminary education be going toward some end which requires such a seminary degree?
(3) Are you prepared for a largely academic approach to learning?
Three question as you decide where to go:
(1) Have you thought about the tradition you want to be part of?
(2) What is the community like?
(3) Are there certain professors you want to learn from?
Three questions while you are at seminary:
(1) Have I found a good local church?
(2) Are you expecting for seminary to be something it’s not?
(3) Are you ok being yourself?
These are all great questions! To read more of his commentary go to the original post here.
Sacramento Campus Preview – Tonight!
Western Seminary-Sacramento will be hosting a Campus Preview Day event tonight, Monday, October 4th from 7 – 9pm. This is event is absolutely free and you’ll be able to meet program advisors, Western alumni, and have your personal questions answered. Coffee and dessert will be provided. Here is a link where you can RSVP: www.westernseminary.edu/sacramento/access We hope to see you there!”
What Should Be Changed About Seminary (According to Jeff Louie)
Jeff Louie
Collin Hansen over at The Gospel Coalition Blog asked four evangelical leaders what they think ought to be changed about seminary. One of those asked was our own Dr. Jeff Louie. This is the response he gave:
We should teach a course on the understanding and centrality of the gospel to every entering seminarian, then build upon that understanding in the theological, canonical, historical, and practical ministry courses. Too often there is no course on the gospel given in seminary, or it is an elective, or it is a subject relegated to a class on evangelism. This subject should be front and center, and everything else we study should be tied to it and flow from it.
To read the other three’s answers go here.
Western Seminary-Campus Crusade for Christ Partnership
Did you know that full time Campus Crusade for Christ staff members receive a 25% off scholarship at Western Seminary? If you are a CCC staffer thinking about an MDIV, biblical or theological studies, intercultural studies, or professional counseling take a look at the details here. If what you read interest you call us at 503.517.1800.
Seminay Survival Guide
Seminarians! We thought we’d pass along this link just in case you are interested. It is a website called SeminarySurvivalGuide.com and it has a variety of article on, well, surviving seminary!
From the Horse’s Mouth: Why Seminary is Still Relevant for the Church
by Tom Demuri
Tom Demuri
It was a mid-week evening when I walked into Temple – a quaint little coffee shop in downtown Sacramento. That night the place was bursting at the seams with caffeine-enhanced conversation and the constant chatter of the espresso machine. I made my way in, pushing past an after-hour business ensemble and swarm of collegiate intellectuals to search for a study space. Seating was slim pickings that night, so I temporarily opted out of my coffee purchase to edge my way into a two-by-two foot cubicle. The pinch was enough to induce a temporary twitch, but I remained optimistic looking forward to my one-on-one theology course with Dr. Breshears via DVD.
It wasn’t long after I had begun my intellectual ascent into the theological realm that I noticed an old friend take a seat close by. Politely, I nodded and then made my way in his direction. We shook hands and caught up on life, and before I knew it my theological course drifted right into our friendly dialogue.
As we discussed God and life, we found ourselves enriched and filled, but it got me thinking: I find that these theological and philosophical heart-to-hearts happen increasingly more outside the church walls than they do inside.
But I fear that the Church is not prepared for a grassroot style of interaction that seems to be on the rise. Our youth and evolving culture seem less interested in conventional church and a pulpit message and it’s this sort of transition that could expose how unequipped the majority of the people in our congregations really are.
Now more than ever, I think that Christ followers need to be rigorously equipped, thoroughly and individually, in order to strengthen our collective purpose. It won’t be enough to “bring em’ to church” and hope the preacher brings his A-game. The individuals of this culture want to hear it from the horse’s mouth and see it in his trot.
In fact, a colleague recently challenged me with a question that I think is relevant. He asked, “Do you think seminary is still relevant to the church?” And the short answer is “yes…absolutely.” Everyone needs to be equipped, not just the pulpit pastors. But to be equipped well, Christ-followers need more than a handful of old congregational notes and their weekly dessert driven bible-study. Christ-followers need to engage in the rigors of committed study. They need to be able to answer the pessimistic teenager who has bought into a nihilistic philosophy; the skepticism of the relative who just can’t reconcile a loving God with the suicide of a lifelong friend; or the humanistic neighbor whose philanthropic achievements blind him from his depravity. Try finding those answers in last Sunday’s sermon notes.
Seminary is a phenomenal place to be equipped. It’s the place to really take on these sorts of questions with the input of seasoned theologians and ministers. I’m glad that Western Seminary is such a place.
When I got back to my course that night, after spending time with my old friend, I took a moment to thank God for leading me down the path of seminary training. Because of it, I’m not the same person that I was when I started. What I love most is the richness that it has brought to my conversations and my relational life.
Tom Demuri is a student and an enrollment counselor at Western Seminary-Sacramento.
Preview Western Seminary in Sacramento and the Bay Area
For those who are interested in seminary/counseling who live in/near Sacramento, San Francisco, or San Jose we have two preview events occuring on February 4th:
The first is from 7-9pm at First Baptist Church in San Mateo, CA. The address for this event is 2801 Alameda de las Pulgas (94403). To register contact Pira Tritasavit at 408. 356. 6889 ex. 403 or via email at pirat@westernseminary.edu. Also, you can register online here.
The second is from 6-8pm at Arcade Church in Sacramento, CA. The address for this event is 2924 Becerra Way (95821). To register contact Tom Demuri at 1. 800.250. 7030 ex. 9 or via email at tdemuri@westernseminary.edu. Also, you can register online here.
To learn more about Western Seminary visit our ‘about page’.
San Jose Campus Preview Night
Please join us on campus and discover how Western Seminary trains men and women for strategic and transformational ministry. Hear testimonials from students and faculty and tour the campus. Learn about the distinctiveness of Western’s training and receive an overview of degree programs. While you are with us, enjoy a complimentary dinner with the Western community.
WHEN: Wednesday, January 27th from 6:30-8:30pm
WHERE: Campus Library, 16330 Los Gatos Blvd., Suite 100. Los Gatos, CA (next to Calvary Church)
RSVP: Register here, or contact Christen Heaton at 408. 356. 6888. ex. 416or by email at cheaton@westernseminary.edu
Interested in Seminary? Read the Relevant Magazine Seminary Guide
Relevant Magazine has released a free, online edition dedicated to helping people make a decision about whether or not to attend seminary. If this is you then you may find it useful. It can be accessed here.
