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Has attending a neo-evangelical school caused you grief?

Discussion in 'Pastoral Ministries' started by sovgrace79, Aug 18, 2005.

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  1. sovgrace79

    sovgrace79 New Member

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    I just joined the BB after lurking for a long time and reading many topics.

    I am looking for some advice.

    I graduated from Bible College in 2000, with a degree in Biblical Studies/Pastoral Ministries. I want to pastor/start a church in New England.

    After graduating, I stayed at the job I already had through Bible college (software/systems engineer job). I did that until 2003, when I felt like I needed to get more involved towards working towards ministry. I started my own consulting business, and that has been going well.

    Because of this, I can set my own hours (to some extent). I've leveraged this to attend pastor's fellowship meetings, and from that, I've been invited to fill pulpits other than my own church.

    Right now, I feel like my wife and I still need to gain experience before I jump into the ministry. I'm working with my pastor on that now.

    I'm also contemplating seminary, and was thinking about Gordon-Conwell. Mostly, it is due to my location (2hrs 15mins from my house), and their distance learning programs, that would allow me to complete a good percentage of my studies at home. Also, it is regionally accredited, which means that if I go back to my previous employer, they will completely pay for tuition and books. The only other option in this area that I know of (besides regional accreditation) is Hartford Seminary, which is too far to the left for me.
    Regional accreditation plays an important part of my decision, as well as not having to have the residency part of the degree program outside the New England area.

    I have heard people and pastors caution me that going to a non-fundamentalist school could cause others to look at me with great suspicion. I'm willing to fight this battle if necessary. I know my pastor is highly supportive of getting more education (he has an earned doctorate in history).

    Have any of you had to worry about this problem? What should I be aware of if I decide to attend a neo-evangelical school? My intentions are not to become neo-evangelical, but to broaden my knowledge of the ministry.
     
    #1 sovgrace79, Aug 18, 2005
  2. Paul33

    Paul33 New Member

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    I would think that if your pastor supports you and can back you up, you will probably be ok.
     
    #2 Paul33, Aug 18, 2005
  3. Broadus

    Broadus Member

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    Gordon-Conwell is an excellent choice. The fact that you live close enough to it to do on campus in addition to distance learning is a real boon.

    BTW, regardless of what school you attend, there is going to be someone who looks at you with suspicion!

    Blessings,
    Bill
     
    #3 Broadus, Aug 18, 2005
  4. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I think those people are probably speaking from a point of ignorance.
     
    #4 Johnv, Aug 18, 2005
  5. sovgrace79

    sovgrace79 New Member

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    Johnv,

    That may be true. I have never heard any actual cases where the "wrong" school caused a problem. I'd imagine when I'm ordained it may raise some eyebrows.

    I'm coming at this from the viewpoint of the "Dead Right" paper that Phil Johnson wrote. It seems like fundamental pastors have their "gossip networks", and all it takes is a rumor that you are a "liberal", and you end up having to prove otherwise.

    Of course, you can be labeled "liberal" for other things than the school you go to.

    I know that where you go to school and how much schooling is not much of a means to judge someone. I hardly have the academic credentials to do my secular job, and the school I went to for my BS was KJVO and non-Calvinist, and I take neither of those positions.
     
    #5 sovgrace79, Aug 18, 2005
  6. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    I think the rule for some is this:

    If you do 999 liberal things, but 1 conservative thing, you're a liberal.
    If you do 999 conservative things, but 1 liberal thing, you're a liberal.

    One of these days, I'll actually figure out other peoples' thinking. [​IMG]
     
    #6 Johnv, Aug 18, 2005
  7. j_barner2000

    j_barner2000 Member

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    I have had the pleasure and priviledge of having 2 former pastors and their wives attend the church where I pastor in this 10 months I have been here.

    One, who is KJVO has labeled me as liberal because I said " I can teach you the WORD and the principles found there, BUT it is the Holy Spirit who will convict you of the application of these principles." His other problem is that i preach from "one of those modern perversions."

    The other pastor heard the same sermon and was agreeing with each and every point. And He also agreed with the statement of "The best translation is the one you will read daily."

    I do not care what label is placed upon me as long as I know I am squarely in the Will and Word of our Savior and Father. I am responsible, first and foremost to Him.

    Pray and know where He leads you to go. Men will always find fault, so please our Lord.
     
    #7 j_barner2000, Aug 20, 2005
  8. FundamentalDan

    FundamentalDan New Member

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    Brother,

    If I were you, I would not spend too much time worrying what others think of you. I know that is easier said than done, but I am in a situation where about half the people I know think I am too conservative and the other half think I am "liberal", though they do not know what the term actually means. It matters very little. One day I will give an account to God alone. So, if you feel the Lord leading you to this school, go for it. Take everything and compare it with the Bible. It will probably do you good.
     
    #8 FundamentalDan, Aug 20, 2005
  9. El_Guero

    El_Guero New Member

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    Sov,

    I agree with Fun Dan ... If someone doesn't like my being conservative ... oh well ... but I will have to account to God and Him alone.

    God bless
     
    #9 El_Guero, Aug 20, 2005
  10. sovgrace79

    sovgrace79 New Member

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    Thanks for the comments. I pretty much think the same thing about not worrying about it. I just don't want people to think that I'm arrogant, or that if I finish a master's degree that I'm better than them.

    I just want more education to be more fully prepared for the ministry.
     
    #10 sovgrace79, Aug 20, 2005
  11. Convicted by the Spirit

    Convicted by the Spirit New Member

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    What is neo-evangelical mean exactly?
     
    #11 Convicted by the Spirit, Aug 24, 2005
  12. untangled

    untangled Member

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    Find a good conservative school and go... Don't need a fundamentalist school because I don't believe they exist anymore - they are usually legalistic, not fundamental... Just my opinion.

    GCTS may be fine if that's what you want.

    Liberty, CIU/CBS, SBTS etc...... They are all good in my opinion.

    IN Christ,

    Brooks
     
    #12 untangled, Aug 25, 2005
  13. Paul33

    Paul33 New Member

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    G-C would be great!

    Take Walter Kaiser for OT!
     
    #13 Paul33, Aug 25, 2005
  14. sovgrace79

    sovgrace79 New Member

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    I hear he is really good. I have one of his books already... when I get some time I'm going to read it!
     
    #14 sovgrace79, Aug 25, 2005
  15. Andy T.

    Andy T. Active Member

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    Isn't David Wells (author of No Place for Truth - Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology) a prof at G-C, as well?
     
    #15 Andy T., Aug 26, 2005
  16. Ed Edwards

    Ed Edwards <img src=/Ed.gif>

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    Sovgrace79: "My intentions are not to become neo-evangelical,
    but to broaden my knowledge of the ministry."

    IMHO this is one thing that makes you look liberal.

    I'm reminded of a Black Preacher that said something like:
    "Black blood is like the sweet precious Blood of Jesus -
    one drop will make you whole!" It seems that one
    'liberal' thought will also make you totally 'liberal'.

    I have not attempted here to express the ideal situation
    but my observation on reality.

    The ministry i'm called to is to help God's servants when
    i can. So i don't know anything to do but to lift you
    up in prayer.

    May all God's best blessings and best guidance be unto
    Brother Sovgrace79, his family, and his ministry.
    May this be done so that we might give all the more
    Honor and Glory unto our blessed Lord and
    Savior: Messiah Yeshua! Amen!
     
    #16 Ed Edwards, Aug 26, 2005
  17. sovgrace79

    sovgrace79 New Member

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    Andy,

    Yes, the catalog I have lists David Wells as being on the faculty there.
     
    #17 sovgrace79, Aug 26, 2005
  18. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    I think that WHERE you go to school will most DEFINITELY affect your future ministry. And even the opportunity for ministry.

    Analogy in the mind of most: If one is going to work on "ford" cars, get your training in a "ford" garage.

    Going to be a Baptist pastor? A Baptist seminary would be a no-brainer.

    Maybe "no brainer" isn't the best term . . :rolleyes:
     
    #18 Dr. Bob, Aug 30, 2005
  19. untangled

    untangled Member

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    I agree with Dr. Bob. Baptist or Baptistic seminaries would be the way to go. The reason I say baptistic is that there are some that have mainly Baptist teachings that have gone multi-denominational.

    For me, I'm going back to Liberty (Baptist) Theological Seminary. I don't like the fact they changed their name but they are still Baptist.
     
    #19 untangled, Aug 30, 2005
  20. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    If you get shot at from both sides like Jesus did then you are most likely at the right point.
     
    #20 gb93433, Aug 30, 2005
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