Sky McCracken is the new Paducah District Superintendent in the Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church. In June, he blogged about his frustrations with the current seminary system. This material was published a month later as a commentary by the United Methodist Reporter. His most thought provoking remarks follow:
- The most sobering thing I’ve learned is that there is no correlation between education of clergy and clergy effectiveness.
- I am convinced more than ever that seminaries are failing us. And now, the perception is real among those who help to fund them.
- I am not trying to be anti-seminary. But it pains me greatly to admit that a seminary education may not be the best preparation for one to do ordained ministry, and I am more inclined to believe that it is not an absolute necessity anymore.
So What?
There are lay and ordained leaders in every denomination who are currently advocating for reform in whatever their tradition requires in terms of preparation for ordained ministry. Currently, most mainline denominations require candidates to complete a seminary degree (usually a M.Div.) as the core component of their academic preparation. I not only believe that each denomination that sets standards for ordination should be engaged in regularly revisiting these, but also that denominations must do more to work together to ensure clergy do not need to engage in prolonged re-credentialing processes in order to serve a congregation affiliated with another denomination.
For more on this topic, consider reading my recent posts:
- What are the current requirements for ordination? When were they last significantly altered? What changes do you feel should be considered now and why?
- What is your initial reaction to McCracken’s remark that “a seminary education may not be the best preparation for one to do ordained ministry?” How well do you feel seminary prepares people for pastoral ministry?