| A good education is one of the few things we're willing to pay for and not receive. Don't let that happen to you.
Remember, it's more important that you learn how to think in order to know what to think. Many seminaries teach you what to think and neglect teaching you how to think.
Languages are indispensable. Learn them as much as possible. Many seminaries only give a semester on each language, which basically only teaches students how to use resources rather than how to work with the languages. Deeper studies, in many instances, have given way to program oriented training.
Theology courses should expose you to what's out there and teach you how to think through doctrinal issues biblically. This will equip you to face the errant pew sitter and armchair theologian who ties things together that ought not be in the same paragraph. This is infinitely more valuable than simply having answers to questions. Ministry, as you know, is dynamic. We have to know how to think.
Counseling is a major part of our ministry. Take as much counseling as you can. I would avoid the integrated curriculum and seek nouthetic training (i.e. Jay Adams, Stuart Scott, NANC, etc.).
This is all focused on being equipped as a pastor. If you desire to pursue scholarly work you might consider other options focused in your field of interest. But, even then, we have to keep in mind that our goal is to affect the shepherd; and there's no better way to equip shepherds than to become one who intimately knows the rigors of shepherding. |