SBTS and Churches in Louisville, KY

Where I'm coming from: I was at SBTS from 2006 -2010, and have been back for a few seminars and conferences since. I generally agree with a lot of reformed theology. I was only on campus for one year, and attended the calvinistic "Crossing Church." (a church plant of Sojourn)...then moved about and hour away in Indiana to my current church home, and commuted for the next 3 years.

SBTS:

I think going in realizing you will likely be in the minority is wise. I obviously can't speak for the entire student body, but those I knew were definitely majority reformed...though not by any means all, but I suspect that percentage has grown even in the last 6 years. There are also those who begin SBTS with one view, and then change to another (It happens).

Unfortunately, also, some at sbts have been in tight reformed circles so long that they find it incomprehensible that someone might not agree with them, and will make belittling comments toward opposing views and those who hold them...and make silly comments like "Paul was a calvinist,". I simply say this because I have heard them, and you should be prepared emotionally and mentally for such things...and not allow them to cause you to become bitter toward fellow brothers and sisters just because they hold a certain view on election.

Despite this, I believe it to be an overall good place to study and learn.


Regarding churches, I am not sure I can help you except for a few things:

1. Highview Baptist is large,and is where Dr. Mohler goes, but I don't believe it is necessarily a Calvinists only church. They just got a new pastor, so I'm not sure about him.

2. Here is a short list of some reformed SBC churches I know of, so you can avoid them
-Sojourn
-Crossing
-Immanuel B.
-Third Ave. B.
-Clifton B.


3. Current students of SBTS will probably be the best place to find the non-reformed churches, though if you call the SBTS Ministry referral office, they would probably know about those things too.

4. The SBC website has a churchsearch you can do by city.

5. In you search, realize there are still some moderate to left-leaning churches in the area, who are still associated with the SBC, even though they don't like Southern's direction. So watch out for that too.


Hope some of that is helpful...

 

A fine way to start. We all do.

I too hold to non-Reformed theology. Most Baptists do. Most Southern Baptists do.

SBTS is the best seminary in the SBC. I wen to SWBTS during the final days of its tenure as the top seminary, but the balance has shifted...substantially. You can't find a better academic education in seminary than SBTS if you desire to go to a SBC seminary. If you're SBC it makes no sense why you wouldn't go to a SBC seminary because of the massive cost benefit.

SBTS is a reformed (some might say heavily reformed) school. The President, Dr Mohler, makes no bones about this but is a kind man. The students can be ravenous about their positions. You'll be in a minority but I wouldn't say the vast minority. Just be firm in your convictions, willing to do the requisite work to defend your positions, and always be humble in your disagreement. The Reformed students I've run into at SBTS (not all but far too many) are not these characteristics. I don't care for that kind of attitude and have little to do with folks who do.

SBTS is a fine seminary to get an MDiv from, but if you want to continue beyond SBTS plan on doing a ThM elsewhere (like SEBTS, TEDS, or elsewhere.) Also, while in seminary go to church and be involved with the staff to learn as much practical as possible. The theory and theology taught in the classroom is good, but it is useless in local church ministry if not tempered by practical church experience.

I've never lived in Louisville so my thoughts on churches are not helpful. 12strings as really helped out here.

 

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