Back To School

Well it's official. I am now a college student....again. Why did I decide to go back to school? It certainly wasn't to get a degree or to be a graduate student. I finished graduate school over 10 years ago. Things were quite a bit different back then. I did not have any children and my employer permitted me to attend school on duty. I was not involved in a ministry, active in a church, teaching on the college level, managing a consulting company and not doing many of the things that I am currently involved in.

Needless to say, I was not looking to go back to school but when God gives you a burden you simply cannot ignore it. For over a year I have felt a push to go to Seminary and I have spent much of this last year doing extensive research on schools. I applied at one school locally and was accepted in April and even enrolled but I never attended. It simply did not feel right. The majority of schools I looked at seemed to be offering nothing more than a business degree that had a lot of religion in it. I have no interest in how to grow a big church, etc. My burden was related to one thing. The Gospel of Jesus Christ and how that can be furthered. I continued my research and had just about thought I would not find a school until I came across a school called Reformed Theological Seminary.



After looking at several respected Christian leaders that have graduated and support the University, speaking with Godly men, and actually listening to lectures on I-Tunes, I decided to apply and I was honored to be accepted a few weeks ago.

I have been asked what my goals are and they are simple. I want to continue to study God's Word and continuing to mature in my faith. Some have been surprised when I tell them that my goal is not to get a degree. If that happens that is fine but that is not the reason I am attending school. I am looking forward to being mentored by some wonderful, Godly professors and I believe that RTS will help me with this. Some can do this without school and while I have been very blessed to read and study from many resources, I believe that I will gain even further knowledge about my Savior from a university.

The program that I am enrolled in is a distant education program but it does require some on-campus visits in Charlotte, North Carolina. I take exams locally, required to meet with my pastor four times each class and send in research papers throughout the program. I received the materials for my first class last week, Systematic Theology, and it is challenging. I am required to read several books while listening to all of the lectures via mp3. I certainly have a renewed respect for students of Seminary. You can view my specific program here.

Have you thought about going to Seminary or simply learning yourself using similar resources? Later this week I will give you other options for furthering your knowledge of the Gospel that doesn't involve the cost of college.