Purging my soul…one blog at a time.

Pastors and Ph.D.’s

My blogging buddy, Brian, opened a can of worms with a recent post. The question? Is a Ph.D. an appropriate degree for those in pastoral ministry as opposed to academia? You may want to go back and read the comments in his post before getting into this one. I felt particularly qualified to respond, but I knew that my thoughts would overrun his comments section. :) So, here are my thoughts on the appropriateness of Ph.D.’s as pastors.

I finished a Ph.D. in historical theology (history of religious experience) in 4.5 years at International Seminary last year. International is a modest school and accommodated my ministry schedule and family life while still holding my feet to the fire. I was able to do classwork and initial research while still serving a local church. But when the heavier research and (European format/big book) dissertation writing ensued, I went on ministry leave for two years. It took every bit of time I could muster in those two years to finish up and return to ministry at another church. So, the majority of my experience about whether a Ph.D. is appropriate for ministers has come in the last year. Furthermore, the position I took was local as an associate minister role at a larger church. So, the opportunities to teach and preach are more selective than if I were a senior minster somewhere. But the position also allows me to pursue academic interests and be available for my family as well. For now, I am content with that in every way.

When someone chooses a “research” degree as opposed to a leadership/church development degree, things will be a little different. Much of my training in church history/history of mentalities never makes its way into my teaching and counseling, but it does impact the way I prepare for those tasks. Like the quote from Carson on Brian’s blog, the degree teaches you to think in a way that is completely different from other degrees. The sheer volume of research and reading associated with competency in a particular field is dense to say the least. Most Ph.D.’s, once they are at the cusp of recent developments in their field, continue that process in the academy through journal articles, collaborative efforts, conferences, and the like. But when a Ph.D. enters the pastorate, that ability to stay current wanes simply because the academic resources are not as readily accessible. I was an ”expert” in my field one year ago. I am no longer…not because I don’t want to be, but because my reading list now includes a broad mosaic of topics from leadership books to commentaries to popular theology. In other words, the research “chops” remain but the research is no longer for you our your discipline. It’s for those you serve in ministry. You spend time researching their questions, not yours. And that’s why most Ph.D.’s stay in the academy.

So, taking on a pastoral role requires a Ph.D. to “give up” some of the academic freedom and personal research time. Not all of it though. You can still belong to academic societies (I do) and research/write as time allows. But the research mindset acquired through doctoral studies doesn’t leave. So, though you may not be an expert in every field related to ministry, you know how to find and assimilate all types of knowledge. I read the Harvard Business Review, a Festschrift, or Erwin McManus’s latest book in the same way. I certainly don’t think a Ph.D. is too much for a pastor. In fact, I agree with Carson. It’s the mentality gained through gaining a Ph.D. that supplements the call of a pastor’s heart. They don’t cancel each other out or anything. They complement each other. I don’t often talk “above” my congregation, but I am fully aware of their theological paradigm when talking to them. I save my academic ramblings for my other egghead friends. :) I also am willing to be a little more “edgy” in some of the topics I broach with them, simply because I want them to be confronted with ideas outside the ones they’ve held for the past thirty years – I try to keep them ahead of the theology “curve.” My sermons get a little academic on occasion, but not anything like the dry academic books I personally read. In fact, I believe part of my job includes “mining” for appropriate trends in theology and translating those into a palatable format for my congregation. I did the schooling; they get the benefit.

Pastors don’t need a Ph.D. to minister effectively. Some of the most impressive ministers I know have little more than a two year Bible college degree. Some of the worst ministers I know have high levels of education.  Is a research doctorate benficial to those who have entered pastoral ministry? I think so. Would it help every minister? I don’t know – I can only speak for myself. It helps me.  But the question is not whether a Ph.D. is an appropriate degree for ministers. The real question is whether someone with a Ph.D. is called to pastoral ministry.

June 30, 2009 - Posted by Sam | Christianity, church, religion, spirituality, theology | , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

9 Comments »

  1. [...] on pastors and doctoral study 30 06 2009 My blogging buddy Sam has posted his thoughts on the value of pastors and PhD work – he himself recently completed a PhD in Historical Theology and is a staff pastor in a local [...]

    Pingback by more on pastors and doctoral study « συνεσταύρωμαι: living the crucified life | July 1, 2009 | Reply

  2. This is a really great and helpful post Sam! Now for those applications to PhD programs…. where did I put them? ;)

    Comment by brianfulthorp | July 1, 2009 | Reply

    • Glad you enjoyed it – your response on your blog was great as well. You raised some great questions – everyone has to deal with those depending on the “vocational” side of the fence they land on. I wouldn’t say the academic route is easier – just different. And in the end, many PhD’s that head back to the pastorate did the research they did because they were curious about that particular area of study. I never wanted to fully leave the pastorate, so I wasn’t banking on my area of expertise making me indispensible to the academy. Thanks again for bringing the topic up.

      Sam

      Comment by Sam | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  3. Hi Sam,

    I fully agree with your post about pastors and Ph.D.s. I did a Ph.D. after 10 years in the pastorate, and then went back for another 9 years as a pastor, and now have finished another 8 years as a seminary professor. I teach in a much different way than I might have if I just went straight from graduate studies to seminary teaching. Keeping up in my field was impossible while serving as a Sr. Pastor, but I used every bit of my graduate training to teach, preach, and train leaders.

    It has left me behind other academics in terms of publications, but I feel my experience has definitely enabled me to be an effective trainer of pastors.

    Thanks again for your thoughtful post.

    Les Longden
    Assoc. Prof. of Evangelism & Discipleship
    Univ of Dubuque Theological Seminary

    Comment by Les Longden | July 1, 2009 | Reply

    • Hi Les –

      Thanks for commenting. Sorry about the delay – I’ve been on vacation. Your story is exactly what Don Carson was talking about his original article. It’s that mixture of pastoral experience and academic rigor that really gives a unique perspective on theology and and ministry. They are inextricably linked for those who return to the pastorate.

      You’re right – publications and new developments in our fields of study are not as available, but (for me at least) that is a “downside” to my chosen profession that I am willing to deal with.

      Good luck in your academic AND minsiterial endeavors… :)

      Sam

      Comment by Sam | July 6, 2009 | Reply

  4. Hi Sam!

    Great post! Question – do you find that having done your PhD program at an unaccredited (regionally/nationally) program has hindered your academic goals? I mean, are you well received at the academic society meetings? I ask because I am interested in a PhD, am a pastor and don’t want to put my family through a move/expenses of a traditional PhD program…but I would like to continue studying.

    What was your area of research in?

    Blessings,

    Everett
    sDg

    Comment by Everett | July 22, 2009 | Reply

    • Hi Everett –

      That’s a great question, one I don’t get too often. But I am more than happy to answer it. When I chose a seminary I thought a lot about it and studied it out, weighing the pros and cons of different types of education. One of my main concerns was family issues and relocation – I promised to never put my educational endeavors above my family’s needs and the demands of pastoral ministry. So, that quickly removed the relocation option for me personally, though others have certainly done that and been quite happy. I’ve personally to this point never had a problem joining any society or anything like that. Of course, I may run into that in the future. I’d like to flesh out some of my reasons and thoughts about accreditation and distance learning in this comment for others who may be wondering the same thing but were afraid to ask.

      1) The history of accreditation is an interesting read. I like history a lot so I ploughed through several articles on both sides of the accreditation debate when deciding where to go to school. The US doesn’t have a Ministry of Education like many European countries, so the government’s ability to regulate education is much less strict. That’s a good thing in that educational endeavors can be decided on a individual level, but it also leaves room for abuse. Independent accrediting agencies have been around for a century or so, but our present model for regional/national accreditation didn’t develop until after WWII. The government, deciding to give money through the GI Bill wanted to make sure that money was not wasted, so they came up with a way to make sure that an education institution lined up with their quality standards before contributing to it. I appreciate their financial responsibility. This is still the case today in a larger format. Accreditation is not required to run a quality educational institution at all – in fact the DOE is quick to say that accreditation has little to do with quality. But if you want the government’s money – e.g., grants, loans, scholarships – you must go to an accredited school. If you don’t want/need the government’s money, then you can entertain other options. Schools opt out of accreditation for several reasons: it costs a lot and that is passed down through tuition, they are attempting a non-traditional type of education that the government does not recognize (yet), or (at religious institutions) they believe government involvement is unneccesary.

      2) As far as to why I chose International specifically, there are several reasons. The school started back in the seventies as a pastoral endeavor to educate ministers and laymen without having them leave their ministerial posts. So, that meant distance learning had to be the main thrust of the school. It also caters to a large international student body – students from roughly 75 countries have attended there and they have had about 20,000 students go through programs with them. Furrthermore, International has always believed in a debt free campus. They don’t build of offer anything new until they can pay for it outright – through individual contributions or slowly saving up income through operational capital. And that keeps them small. I counsel people all the time about living debt-free (it’s the way I personally live) and I felt I owed any institution that did the same a second look. But the most important reason I chose them is becasue they were doing distance learning for ministers before it bacame faddish and the “wave of the future” for education. Now, schools that turned their noses up at distance learning thirty years ago are clamoring to get their external studies divisions up and running. So, being the maverick I am, I chose an institution that did distance learning before it was cool and is now struggling to stay competitive now that bigger fish who built their reputations through government assistance are now in the pond. The least I can do is stick up for the little guy. I like the underdog. Fifty years from now, the educational landscape will have moved so far in the direction of distance learning that we won’t be talking about this. Liberty and Regent have already busted down the distance learning PhD “door” for accredited Universities anyway. Everybody will follow.

      3) I also made sure that International was not a diploma mill. I visited their campus (consisting of three buildings). I met their professors. I talked to them on the phone, through mail, and email the entire time I went there. The coursework was serious and they graded fairly without blanket approval. Student also take courses on campus and International also developed a way to educate laity at through satellite classes on church grounds. They have a modest library and a bookstore to order materials. They have a ministerial association. They have full graduations – my last graduation ceremony had 500 students (many of them international) receiving some form of degree and about 25 doctorates. Diploma mills do exist – many of them hide behind religious names for protection from government interference. Of course, the information about diploma mills is exaggerated – I read something when I was researching that one way to spot a diploma mill was to look for mispellings in their writings. Really? Gee…thanks – that’s really helpful… :)

      4) As to why accreditation has become a standard for schools? I have some theories about that. When you pay 50-100K to an agency for their approval each year, it helps justify that expenditure if you declare the importance of that agency. Therefore, those who have the money to spend in that way elevate themselves in the grand ol’ spirit of competition (something Christians are not immune from). Let’s take the Carfax company for example as a recent regulatory group. Were cars purchased reputably before Carfax came along? Yes. So, why is Carfax so important now? Because people who pay for its services say it is. Why is the AAR a flagship society for theologians? Because enough theologians who paid yearly dues said it was. Why is accreditation important? Those who pay for it believe it gives them a competititve edge. Does it? The only way to know is to talk to their students. Personally, I’ve been to a private university for undergraduate while my wife went to a public institution. As far as I can tell, she received the same education as I did…for 1/3 the cost. I also attended Beeson divinity school for one year. Though the professors are top notch and I enjoyed the student dialogue, for me, I learned more at International in one year than I did at Beeson. So which one is better? I dunno – that up to each individual to decide. Is my education inferior? Not that I can tell. This blog is smattering of what I read, write and think about. You tell me. The academics that I do speak with “size me up” within the first few minutes and so far I can hold my own.

      Here’s another example: ordination. On staff here at TFUMC, we have three ordained ministers. Two (including me) have ordination through a local process of denominational or parachurch oversight (like the Baptists). One of us (Methodist) went through a governmental body to obtain the same thing – it took a years time. Yet, we all use the same sanctuary to administer communion, officate weddings, and perform funerals. So, the practical elements of different types of ordination make little difference. Many people who have the second type consider it more impressive than the first. But that’s because they spent a year of their life obtaining it. Does it bother me that others feel their ordination is better? No…we’re all marrying and burying in the same sanctuary anyway. :)

      If someone thinks they are better than me (in any way), that’s their right to think so. Am I intimidated by that? No. I’m just me. I’m comfortable to be what I am and to have the education I have. But then again, I’m also the minister who likes to hang out with the church custodial staff…

      Thanks for asking Everett. Hope that helps. I’ll pray for God’s guidance for you – in the end, do what’s best for you and your family. I suspect God, being like he is and all, is gonna use you no matter where you go. If you have other questions I’ll be happy to answer them. God bless.

      Sam

      Comment by Sam | July 23, 2009 | Reply

      • sam this is a great response and certainly gives me a lot to think about – if I went to Regent, the only way I could do it would be to get the shcolarship they give to only one student each year, otherwise… not sure how’d I’d do it. What’s the link to International again?

        Comment by brianfulthorp | July 23, 2009 | Reply

        • Hi Brian –

          Glad you enjoyed the thoughts. It’s not an easy decision and other people certainly feel differently than I do. You’re in a great position: you’ve been through schooling for two rounds at accredited institutions, so you have a little more flexibility. Regent is definitely expensive. But then again, it’s Regent and everyone will know where you went to school. I had to determine if the price tag was worth that recognition. In the end, I had to make the best choice for me regardless of pressure I felt to intellectually conform to a particular paradigm. Will it come back to haunt me one day? Maybe – we’ll see. Accreditation for technical professions is highly necessary, but for the pastoral field, it’s not a requirement. The intuitive nature of ministry is what makes or breaks pastoral clout.

          There are several (larger) seminaries like International out there. In the end feeling that you’ve done the right thing by your family and call to ministry is what’s most important.

          Sam

          Comment by Sam | July 23, 2009 | Reply


Leave a comment

« Previous | Next »