You Weren't Supposed To Learn That In Seminary

Every so often you will catch a pastor saying, “they didn’t teach me that in seminary.”  And church members will likewise remark, “I bet you didn’t learn that in seminary!”  Such statements, whether serious or poking fun at learning as impractical, can be foolish and dangerous.  This is because these are the complaints of anti-intellectual pragmatism.  

It is becoming increasingly popular in our society to belittle formal education and learning, especially among Christians.  It is dumb to think that we will be smarter and more successful by holding only to the lowest levels of education.  Growing in knowledge and reflection is most practical.  As one of my colleagues is known for saying, “nothing is more practical than good theory.” 

Most basically, seminaries should teach pastors how to study and teach well the Holy Scriptures, which is the basis of all Christian life and ministry, and guide them as they begin to think through matters of pastoral ministry and leadership.

But, it is ludicrous to expect to learn everything in seminary, especially the innumerable things that only can be learned by doing, and should be learned by doing.  Insight and success are gained by experience along with an understanding of how to be lifelong learners at a deeper level.

Often stated another way, “I don’t use half of what I learned,” implies that seminary wasn’t really that important for ministry preparation, either.  However, the reality is that we use everything that we have ever learned all the time, because it becomes part of who we are and forms how we think.  

Whenever I hear pastoral colleagues or even parishioners make light of seminary, I am quick to respond, “you weren’t supposed to learn that in seminary.”  This begins an enjoyable and usually profitable conversation on the value of learning, and when, where and how it best takes place.