Why Seminary?
The decision to come to seminary is not an easy one, but it is an important one. You may ask yourself if seminary is a necessity, if it is truly essential for your life and ministry. To help answer this question, we have asked Gordon-Conwell faculty and students to tell us why they believe seminary is important, no matter what type of ministry you are called to.
Dr. David Wells, Distinguished Senior Research Professor, discusses the importance of a seminary education:
David Wells on Seminary Education from Gordon Conwell on Vimeo.
Dr. Patrick T. Smith, Assistant Professor of Theology and Philosophy
"Many think that it is not necessary to go to seminary to be used by God. Perhaps not, but a biblically grounded, Christ-centered theological education that focuses on the importance of spiritual formation will be of tremendous benefit in your life's calling. Someone once said that 'God has not called the qualified; instead he qualifies the called.' I think that Gordon-Conwell is one such means that God will use to prepare you for the exciting journey of Christian ministry."
Dr. Roy Ciampa, Professor of New Testament
“Why seminary? There are many different reasons why someone might attend seminary. One is because the King of Glory may be calling you to be a teacher or preacher of His Word and you, like Timothy before you, want to be sure to ‘present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately’" (2 Tim. 2:15 NET).
Dr. Soo-Chang Steven Kang, Professor of Educational Ministries and Interdisciplinary Studies
"Why seminary? Seminary education seeks to set you on the path of lifelong learning as you encourage, equip and share life together with God's people on the journey of lifelong discipleship."
Dr. Karen Mason, Associate Professor of Counseling and Psychology
"My students tell me consistently that the reason they chose to study counseling in seminary was to learn how to integrate biblical theology and psychology in their counseling ministry with hurting people. The Gordon-Conwell counseling faculty is committed to an integration approach with biblical theology as the foundation."
Lane Cowin from Charlottesville, VA; M.Div. '11
"I wanted to be in a place where much of what I learned in class would be more fully absorbed, examined and applied through living and working together with other Christians as serious about studying the Scriptures and as conscious of the need to ask for God's grace in order to do so... Though I spent a good amount of time studying Scripture for personal growth and for 'professional' use in my teaching and counseling of students and their families, I was eager to learn from professors who had decades of academic and ministerial training."
John Meinen from Boulder, CO; M.Div. '11
"I want to know God more and more--not a knowledge that can be deduced from a textbook but one that is learned in an intimate, loving relationship. Gordon-Conwell is a great academy to be sure, but it never loses sight of its main objective: to foster a greater love for God and neighbor. Knowledge and love: seminary builds up both simultaneously."
