Christ is risen!

[blistermoth]

Or will be soon depending where you are.

I really should post here more often. I enjoy the community here.

Now for a bit of a bombshell.

I've been pondering seminary/divinity school off and on for close to 15 years. I'm being led by God seek some wise counsel about how/if to go about it.


At this time, I seriously doubt I want to be ordained. Being ordained seemed like a good idea say 15 years ago but I've never felt a serious leading towards ordained ministry. (mostly because I realize how hard it is!)

I think my main reason is that my big professional/personal dream is to be a theological librarian and it would make it a whole lot easier if I had a seminary/divinity school degree. A lesser reason is that I need to focus my reading and need the accountability and structure of a classroom setting to do it.>

Being a lifelong cynic, I tend to focus on the obstacles. So here I'll list them here for you.

1) As far as I know, Rockford is at least an hour away from any type of seminary program that doesn't focus exclusively on preparing/equipping ordained ministers.

2) I don't have any denominational ties and my current theology is varied enough where both "conservative" and "liberal" seminaries each have their problems for me.


As Thomas and I were discussing last night...if this is supposed to happen NOW would be the time to do it (or at least start part-time) before/if were have children.

Comments

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a wonderful idea to me. My partner gramina has a non-ordained degree -- an MA in theology and church history, but she went to Iliff in Denver.

[daisydumont.livejournal.com]

is there any way you could take courses online? i think this sounds terrific!

happy easter, deb!

[bardcat.livejournal.com]

Christ is Risen Indeed! I wish you well as you ponder seminary/divinity school.

[gurdonark.livejournal.com]

I believe there is a reputable open university master of divinity offered by one of the UK universities that you could do by distance learning. I have no leanings towards the ministry, but thought it would be interesting to read up on this, so I ordered the brochures. It sounded like a winning program. Maybe something like this could improve your credential set and satisfy your calling without the need to drive an hour.

[blistermoth.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Ooh! which school?

[parisgarters.livejournal.com]

That's wonderful. Keep us posted!

[misslynn.livejournal.com]

He is risen indeed :)

good luck sorting this out... could be a great thing.

[aefenglommung.livejournal.com]

Asbury Theological Seminary offers an MS in LS. They also have an extensive on-line campus. They are not affiliated with a denomination, though they have a lot of Methodist/Holiness connections. They are also (I think) the top seminary in the country. I have an MDiv from them ('78), and my wife is currently pursuing an MA in Counseling there.

Where do you guys hang your church hat, anyway?

[blistermoth.livejournal.com]

We are currently members of a church although technically "multi- denominational" but is really ELCA-Lutheran in spirit. (it broke off from an ELCA church a couple of years ago)

[fille-de-livre.livejournal.com]

I love being a theological librarian. I would suggest the MA over the Div. Although, my boss has a Div. and she is looking at doing her doctorate, with a focus on theological librarianship as a ministry.

[blistermoth.livejournal.com]

Ooooh! I will be picking your brain about going into theological libraryland.