Comments on: Expectation Versus Reality in Seminary and Beyond http://www.goingtoseminary.com/expectation-versus-reality-in-seminary-and-beyond/ Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:08:22 +0000 hourly 1 By: Jeff Patterson http://www.goingtoseminary.com/expectation-versus-reality-in-seminary-and-beyond/comment-page-1/#comment-1421 Jeff Patterson Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:04:00 +0000 http://goingtoseminary.com/expectation-versus-reality-in-seminary-and-beyond/#comment-1421 Ryan, Well said. Looking forward to diving into DeGroat's dissertation. The most telling quote from what you listed (besides the relational and emotional aspects): <em>"I expected that I’d grow spiritually in seminary. I didn’t. And then, I expected that I’d grow spiritually after seminary. And that happened a little. But it mostly didn’t happen. Because the busyness just doesn’t stop."</em> Wow. I've always said that if we want to love and learn the Bible we must read it, <em>before</em> we go to Seminary (always be saturated in the Scriptures). But, here we're reminded that the issue is even deeper, for knowing, loving and enjoying God doesn't just happen by default, as if we are in an incubator or something. And the realization about "emotional energy." - In many ways, 12 hour work-days, 6 days-a-week is good for us, if that labor is mostly physical. Yet, emotional labor for those stretches seem to wear us down while not building up (as the physical builds muscle). How do we build emotional muscle in the midst of all this busyness? Jeff Pattersons last blog post..<a href="http://www.detheos.com/2008/06/20/better-is-open-rebuke-than-hidden-love/" rel="nofollow">Better is open rebuke than hidden love</a> Ryan,

Well said. Looking forward to diving into DeGroat’s dissertation. The most telling quote from what you listed (besides the relational and emotional aspects):

“I expected that I’d grow spiritually in seminary. I didn’t. And then, I expected that I’d grow spiritually after seminary. And that happened a little. But it mostly didn’t happen. Because the busyness just doesn’t stop.”

Wow. I’ve always said that if we want to love and learn the Bible we must read it, before we go to Seminary (always be saturated in the Scriptures). But, here we’re reminded that the issue is even deeper, for knowing, loving and enjoying God doesn’t just happen by default, as if we are in an incubator or something.

And the realization about “emotional energy.” – In many ways, 12 hour work-days, 6 days-a-week is good for us, if that labor is mostly physical. Yet, emotional labor for those stretches seem to wear us down while not building up (as the physical builds muscle). How do we build emotional muscle in the midst of all this busyness?

Jeff Pattersons last blog post..Better is open rebuke than hidden love

]]> By: Seminary: What I Expected, What I Got « The Greatest Story Ever Told http://www.goingtoseminary.com/expectation-versus-reality-in-seminary-and-beyond/comment-page-1/#comment-979 Seminary: What I Expected, What I Got « The Greatest Story Ever Told Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:26:05 +0000 http://goingtoseminary.com/expectation-versus-reality-in-seminary-and-beyond/#comment-979 [...] Thoughts. Tags: degroat, expectation, reality, seminary, study trackback On the seminary note, goingtoseminary.com has an interesting post about a a dissertation by Charles R. DeGroat who teaches at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS). [...] [...] Thoughts. Tags: degroat, expectation, reality, seminary, study trackback On the seminary note, goingtoseminary.com has an interesting post about a a dissertation by Charles R. DeGroat who teaches at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS). [...]

]]> By: Mark Warnock http://www.goingtoseminary.com/expectation-versus-reality-in-seminary-and-beyond/comment-page-1/#comment-459 Mark Warnock Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:58:40 +0000 http://goingtoseminary.com/expectation-versus-reality-in-seminary-and-beyond/#comment-459 Excellent find. All these are the reasons I started Seminary Survival Guide--to serve as a warning to current students about the reality that is coming, and for which they are generally unprepared. I look forward to reading it!! Excellent find. All these are the reasons I started Seminary Survival Guide–to serve as a warning to current students about the reality that is coming, and for which they are generally unprepared.

I look forward to reading it!!

]]> By: Chad http://www.goingtoseminary.com/expectation-versus-reality-in-seminary-and-beyond/comment-page-1/#comment-458 Chad Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:53:24 +0000 http://goingtoseminary.com/expectation-versus-reality-in-seminary-and-beyond/#comment-458 I wonder how many seminaries have classes that deal with these issues? I know at Asbury we have two classes that everyone is required to take, and one of them really touches on some of these issues (isolation, personal spiritual formation, issues involving vocation, etc..) I also know that they only way you can learn some of these things is by actual ministry. I spent several years in college ministry before seminary, and I know that I learned as much there about people and various issues we have as I have about theology and the bible in seminary. I also know that some denominations require an M.Div for ordination, and in my situation I have met plenty of people that cruise through just cause they want to be ordained. I need to read this paper, and find time to do it. I wonder how many seminaries have classes that deal with these issues? I know at Asbury we have two classes that everyone is required to take, and one of them really touches on some of these issues (isolation, personal spiritual formation, issues involving vocation, etc..)

I also know that they only way you can learn some of these things is by actual ministry. I spent several years in college ministry before seminary, and I know that I learned as much there about people and various issues we have as I have about theology and the bible in seminary.

I also know that some denominations require an M.Div for ordination, and in my situation I have met plenty of people that cruise through just cause they want to be ordained.

I need to read this paper, and find time to do it.

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