Curtis Freeman: Should seminary graduates avoid the church?
“Students don’t want to serve in the local church when they graduate; they want to do something more exciting.” So began a recent column on theological education at Ethicsdaily.com. Young people generally often hear the advice, “If you want to make a difference don’t go into the ministry.”
I used to think this was just a problem in mainline churches, but after visiting some of the campuses of conservative denominations, it seems that lots of seminarians across the spectrum are headed somewhere other than the church. Theological schools may not be the problem, but too often they reinforce the opinion that Christians who are serious about the faith do something other than serve in the church.
But this raises the question of what’s really worth getting excited about. How might our desires be affected by a sustained engagement with the received wisdom of the Christian tradition? Could such a study result in our imagination being turned in a different direction and perhaps drawn to a deeper sort of excitement?
When I ask soon to be graduates in exit interviews how they’ve changed during their theological study, one of the answers I am consistently amazed by is that they have learned to love the church. When I ask where and how they learned this, they indicate it’s systemic: from the faculty, to the curriculum, to spiritual formation groups, to field education. And it’s not just the church as a sort of platonic ideal. It’s the church on the corner.
There was a point in my life when I was one of the ecclesial critics. That changed when as a young pastor I read Will Willimon’s book What’s Right with the Church. It reaffirmed the teaching of Cyprian, the 3rd century bishop in North Africa: “One cannot have God for one’s Father who does not have the Church for one’s Mother.” I resolved to stop talking bad about my momma, and I urge my students to do the same.
Sure we’ve got family problems. Some of us are pretty dysfunctional. But in spite of its shortcomings, the church is the womb of new birth. And its web of relations is still where we discern the direction of our call.
The well being of the church of the future depends on theological schools that serve as a seed bed for young ministers where the germinating love of the church is intentionally and systemically cultivated. I hope and pray that a lot of folks are committed to tending the ecclesial garden.
Curtis Freeman teaches theology and directs the Baptist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School.
Truer and truer
I'm finding that this is truer and truer with me. I've been out of Duke Div for about 2 years now, and I am loving the local church more and more. Sure it's frustrating at times, but I do feel like I'm actually making a difference in people's lives.
An ongoing concern
Thanks for your good words about the church, Curtis. God is at work through the church in the world, of course; but what we pastors learn about God's work in the church world is that intentional community is hard but rewarding work. Like marriage. Like family. And not like either one. It's a world itself, full of promise and peril. But since flesh and blood does not inherit the kingdom of God, real spiritual community is our best window into eternity. There's real action here for the adventurous heart.
An ongoing concern
I remember the day in seminary when our theology professor just "went off" in response to a question about ministry taking place in "non-church" settings. He said, "That is the problem with all you liberals! You are going to save the whales, end the war, and abandon the church and in the end the whole thing will go to hell!" And then he just walked out of class!
In those dark nights when I have thought about doing "something else" it has been his voice that I have heard! God does have a sense of humor!
Why are things the way they are?
It is sad to read the quote, īf you want to make a difference, don't go into ministry', yet, I have seen, globally, the trend to bypass the local church in one's quest to make that difference. Although my love for the local church exists, I must ask myself, 'why do people feel that way?' Why do people no longer see the church as a place of true spirituality and power, as an agent for change? As I encourage involvement, investment, and commitment to the local church, I can also see from where this idea to bypass the local church comes.
Church life is great
Cyprian, willimon and you are right. The church is the Body of Christ. We have been called to be salt and light. We do that when we 'gather' and also when we 'scatter' (to borrow a phrase from Eddie Hammett). I agree with George that the local church is where the action is, and the older I get the more fun it is. My life in ministry has been far better than I could have ever imagined thirty years ago. What we do does make a difference...on most days.
"the Church"
Curtis,
Thanks for the reminder and the challenge. What you said reminded me of words written many years ago by Bruce Larson. It went something like this----The Church is a alot like Noah's ark. It is full of all kinds of creatures who make a lot of crazy noises and can really stink up the place....but it is the only thing that will get us through the flood.
Tim Willis
Older and wiser
As one nearing retirement, let me add my two cents worth. Yes, sometimes church work is the best work on the face of the planet, bar none. Other times it is the most tedious job imaginable. This is made worse by several trends, most notably by the fact that new seminary graduates will increasing be ministering to old geezers (including myself now) who don't get it, don't know how to communicate with the young generations, and may actively resist your attempts to do so. The answer may be extra-church churches, starting new kinds of ministry outside the institutional church.
of more distant children
I served as a pastor for 20 years and wouldn't trade my experiences for a ticket to heaven. After 20 years, though, I was exhausted and unfit for service. I take full responsibility for my debilitation, though I'm more aware than ever of the church's (how does that antique Anglican prayer go?) "manifold sins". I should have "gotten it" much sooner, such as when I heard from an older colleague ministering during the civil rights movement how his D.S. told them that they were free to be involved but that they were "on their own." Abandoned sons and daughters of the eclesial mother may be sad sights but not pathetic ones. They are not without reason for gratitude. As Simone Weil wrote, "Attachment is the great fabricator of illusions; reality can be attained only by someone who is detached."
Desiring to Serve
The last thirty years of my life have been spent tending the "ecclesial garden" side by side with my husband. The thing about tending a garden is that it requires labor that yields sweat, blood and tears. Such labor clears the head and allows for reflection and meditation that in turn yields growth. Growth is the preferred forward direction on one's life journey. As the garden grows it becomes a place of healing and joy. Blossoms open and dispell their fragrance into the air. Yes, there are a few thorns to prick, encouraging a draw back reaction, but the beauty of the garden beckons and draws one back again and again. The thirsty soul is quenched and it sings a hymn of praise to the Creator who made it all possible.
A great plug for the church
A great plug for the church who helps me to grow in love for that particular "Big Momma."
-Rev. George Linney
Correction: A great plug for
Correction: A great plug for the church from a man who helps me to grow in love for that particular "Big Momma."
-Rev. George Linney
I am encouraged to hear that
I am encouraged to hear that there are those graduating from seminary who still love the church. I would describe my relationship to the church as one of love-hate. There are many things about church that frustrate me but I am realizing that my education allows me to understand and think more critically about things than the person next to me in the pew I am not exempt from this broken and yet beautiful thing called the church.
I am curious to know as one who is going on in theological education what you think the role of the theologian is in the church? I am also curious to know what you think of the theory that the theologian has lost its authoritative voice with the church (namely other pastors and church leaders), the pastors and leaders have and are losing their authoritative voice with their congregations (let's face it the music and drama,keeps congregational interests higher than our 15-20 minute sermons), and the church (congregation including theologian and pastors and leaders) has lost its authoritative voice with society and as such we have had less of an impact on effecting change in society.
Finally how might trust between the theologian and church be reestablished and what would that relationship look like?
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