I actually feel that my degree is of quite a lot of value, but when you consider the job prospects of a person with a liberal arts degree, the educational experience counts for nearly nothing. There aren't a lot of companies even willing to hire someone they know has a degree in Biblical studies, and if they are, it isn't because of the degree. With the job prospects most of us have, we find people with masters degrees working at Starbucks and Taco Bell - there isn't much value to be found in the secular job market.
So now that I am actually working in my field, as a pastor, what value does my degree have? For the vast majority of my peers, it is worthless because it isn't an Mdiv. I have to jump through a whole extra set of hoops to get recognized within a denomination - and I get those telling signs all the time about how I need more training, education, and mentoring (even though I've had a mentor for 12 years, and I've continued my education on my own; I'm currently plowing through Barth's Church Dogmatics). My theological education began when I was young, reading my fathers books and listening to his taped lectures from seminary, spending four years studying Theology, and Missions, (and a little film) and internship and two years as assistant pastor under a wise mentor, several years freelancing in missional evangelism; yet there are people who can get a bachelors in engineering, and then spend three years in a masters program and are more "qualified" than I. My education must count for something: Sallie Mae certainly thinks so.
But here's my beef: We tell people in the pews that they are to be equipped for works of ministry, we tell them that there is a doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, we tell them that they are to make disciples, to participate in the mission of God who is reconciling all things to himself. We want them to get off their butts and do something - but what is the message the church is sending to the pews, if with all my experience and education I'm not qualified? They certainly have every excuse to feel that they are not qualified either.
So now that I am actually working in my field, as a pastor, what value does my degree have? For the vast majority of my peers, it is worthless because it isn't an Mdiv. I have to jump through a whole extra set of hoops to get recognized within a denomination - and I get those telling signs all the time about how I need more training, education, and mentoring (even though I've had a mentor for 12 years, and I've continued my education on my own; I'm currently plowing through Barth's Church Dogmatics). My theological education began when I was young, reading my fathers books and listening to his taped lectures from seminary, spending four years studying Theology, and Missions, (and a little film) and internship and two years as assistant pastor under a wise mentor, several years freelancing in missional evangelism; yet there are people who can get a bachelors in engineering, and then spend three years in a masters program and are more "qualified" than I. My education must count for something: Sallie Mae certainly thinks so.
But here's my beef: We tell people in the pews that they are to be equipped for works of ministry, we tell them that there is a doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, we tell them that they are to make disciples, to participate in the mission of God who is reconciling all things to himself. We want them to get off their butts and do something - but what is the message the church is sending to the pews, if with all my experience and education I'm not qualified? They certainly have every excuse to feel that they are not qualified either.
“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Charles Darwin
ReplyDeleteAs one in similar shoes... I feel ya!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post and the perspective. Glad you have work in the field. That is encouraging.
And I was in prison ministry for several years where I met so many offenders with their certificate pinned to the cell wall that read "Reverend" ... all for the price of $10 and a box of cracker jacks!
But, I do value my education, even if the church or the world beyond do not.
Again,
Thanks.
Blessings....