Ok here we go again. I just finished this post, but then it never posted. Shows how technologically advanced I am not...
So Does a Master's Really Matter? In the ministry, does it really benefit one to have an advanced degree...here are my thoughts. Ultimately, I would say yes...and no.
Yes:
1. Knowledge - I feel as though my knowledge of the Bible, counseling, cultures, etc. has deepened and tremendously grown as a result of seminary.
2. Exposure - I was exposed to so much more in seminary, i.e. different ethnic groups and cultures, different denominations and churches, etc. This ties into number 3 below.
3. Networking - You meet so many more persons while getting your master's. It vastly increases your networking base in the ministry.
No:
1. Money - Not that you are in the ministry for this, but experience is pretty much all that matters here.
2. Promotions - May help in the business world, but not seemingly in the ministerial world, at least in the Wesleyan Church.
3. Vacation - Again experience is determining factor.
In the end, I would fall off the log and say at this point in my life "no" from a pragmatic standpoint. All of my supervisors do not have their masters even and some do not even have a bachelor's in ministry but in some other field. Thus, practically speaking, it seems to me that if you can lead, administrate, and grow your ministry, that is all that matters...what do you think?
12 comments:
I would say I have learned more from the experience of taking master's classes than from the classes themselves. Then again, every stage in life tends to bring new challenges, which would require learning. I think the whole educational system is a crock. Stick it to the man. (you expect me to be anti-establishment, so I had to throw it in there)
Ironically, I DO agree with Doug Witte that much of the educational system is a crock. There is so much of it that is so polical and destructive. The entire family I come from is involved in ministerial training, and I think they are "saving it" from it's path.
However, I also think that in general a master's degree in ministry is an absolutely helpful thing. Since you're just 2 years out you might not feel it yet -- but I predict that at 5 years out you will feel so happy that you "got that out of the way."
And just so you know, I think that your having a master's degree was very appealing to us at SLWC when we decided to hire you. It gave you an extra "something" that we needed in your role.
Here's my fuller take on the issue of whether people should go to seminary or not:
http://www.drurywriting.com/david/Flipside-Seminary.htm
Doug - I would expect no different from you regarding the anti-establishment bit...ha! But I do agree that the experience is huge and shaped me, like you said, potentially more than the classes themselves.
Dave - I agree when you say I need more time...I do believe it will become clearer in time. For some reason right now, I just see the light at the end of the tunnel as being a train! But I never thought about what you said regarding how it helped me get the job here...good call.
I'm thinking it's more about the knowledge being gained rather than obtaining a "Master's" in any certain field. I've been studying Jewish culture and the true definitions of discipleship in "their" terms...more specifically, in Christ's terms. Essentially, you paid for discipleship by attending seminary...right? By the age of 12, Jewish boys were expected to have the entire Old Testament memorized and understood...their education continued after that only if there were deemed as "gifted". Once that occured, they followed a Rabbi until they were 30. Sound like the steps of a certain someone we follow?
So...is a Master's necessary? No, if you are already gleaning knowledge just as you would in seminary (or "cemetery" as my Dad calls it). What are the chances of a American boy being mentored in the same way a young Jewish boy was...about the same chance my KC Chiefs have at getting to the Super Bowl.
Seminary is an avenue...perhaps the "interstate" (fastest/most direct way for a person in Western culture). Just think about what it would be like to complete school by the time your a teenager to then become a disciple of a godly man for the next 15 or so years! Travelling...studying...learning...how awesome would that be!
Those are my thoughts. I'll probably get my Master's.
Rock, Chalk, Jayhawk...GO KU!
-DK
Hunny,
I think it's amazing that you have your master's- first, because you do have an amazing job- second, because you have gained extrordinay experiences because of that. You would probably not be where you are today without it and you just have that much more knowldege because of it. You are so smart! Maybe I should get mine!
Being involved in Post-Grad work for over two years, I believe that further education is important. If anything, it keeps me focused and challenges me to look to the past, in order to influence the present, and to engage the future. I agree with Dave that a lot of it can be legalistic, to structured, and at times dogmatic. However, in defense, a lot of it can be enlightening, and emotionally and intellectually stimulating.
I think the biggest question for me is after my Master's (required reading, writing, and challenging discussions) will I continue being a life learner? Will I fill that void with a continued education filled with knowledge, reading, ponderings, and the like?
I hope that part of my post-grad studies has instilled that in me...if not, maybe it ‘was’ a waste :)
By the way, if you have not read it already, Dave has a posting that gives some great insights on this topic!
Hope all is going well!
-J-
Does a Masters really matter? For me it did.
I would not trade my three years for anything. Seminary didn't as much show me HOW to do ministry as it did WHY I do ministry.
While I wouldn't necessarily call my three years in seminary practical, it has certainly shaped the foundation of my more program-based ministry.
Now that I'm in full-time ministry, I am mourning the loss of vacation time. I'm missing my summers off as well as the two weeks for Christmas, the three weeks in January and the once-a-semester reading weeks. Sigh.
Mandy
Thanks for the thoughts....i just applied for grad school about 2 weeks ago...
wish me luck...
See you on the Cruise Brian!!
Dude... no blog since Nov 13th...
I've droped you to my "visit once a month" list.
Blog once before Xmas or we'll drop you to our "visit once a year" list.
:-)
Maybe something about how you have some big date coming up in December... one involving a little bit o this and a little bit o that!
(it's hard to keep up with a blog for sure -- that's why I don't do one and just comment on other people's blog obnoxiously like this)
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