Let me say from the beginning I graduated with an M.Div from a leading Southern Baptist seminary. My personal opinion probably doesn’t hold any weight, but below are my observations on what seminaries need to do (based on what I know and experienced):
1. Spend time creating and executing an intentional mentoring system (and not just on the Ph.D. level).
2. Spend time inside and outside the classroom on leadership (i.e., self-leadership, leading others, leading teams, creating movements). Quit downplaying the importance of leadership and “upsizing” Biblical knowledge. Here is a reality check for you…if you cannot lead people, they don’t give a squat about Biblical knowledge.
3. Spend time learning how to intentionally care for certain prevalent needs. Most in ministry are under trained in handling specific issues people face today.
4. Spend time role playing so circumstances are more real versus just having your nose in a textbook.
5. Spend time helping many professors step down from their high knowledge stool and walk with their students through real life.
6. Spend time helping students learn to think (and think creatively).
7. Spend time identifying student’s personality, strengths, spiritual gifts, and passions. Quit assuming they already know them. After identifying them, help them build ministries around what they are best at doing.
8. Spend time helping students learn what it means to personally knowing God more deeply and not just from an academic perspective.
9. Spend time helping students identify a communication style that best suits THEM. Just because a professor preaches a certain way does not mean it is the standard by which we judge and grade young preachers-in-training. This nearly killed me in school.
10. Spend time in the field serving with your students. The classroom has benefits, but being outside the classroom does too.
11. Spend time making things work more effectively when the students fully transition into “working” in churches and/or organizations.
12. Spend time helping students understand interpersonal relationships more effectively.
13. Spend time helping students understand the importance of networking.
14. Spend time making learning more fun and less stoic.
15. Spend time helping students learn transparency and vulnerability.
16. Spend time enabling students to learn about more than just the Bible. There are other issues that are important that could possibly be used a vehicle to one day sharing the Gospel.
17. Spend time making less of the denominational stances and focus on developing fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ who want to create and lead movements. If you have not noticed, the next generation is tired of the denominational stuff.
I am sure I have more but I will stop for now. Again, just me thinking out loud. I should insert that I did learn some great items while in school. However, I think the experience could be enhanced.
I would love to hear your thoughts.
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