How to Choose the Right Seminary Program

If you are considering seminary, your head may be spinning with options: programs, professors, courses, which factors are most important to consider? While the process of researching a seminary can be challenging, it can also be a valuable time of discerning your calling to ministry.

Not all seminaries are the same. Each institution was created at a particular moment in time with a specific intended educational goal. If you are considering a seminary, be sure to visit their about page, which often explains the history of the seminary and how that informs what they believe.

Since Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s (TEDS) founding, the school has taught creative and critical thinking while upholding gospel fidelity to fulfill the age-old adage, “in the essentials unity, in the non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity.”

This statement is revealing. Not only does it reveal the teaching methodology of TEDS (gospel fidelity), but it also shows its denominational outlook (unity in essentials and liberty in non-essentials). While some schools have students and faculty only from a specific denomination, a broadly Evangelical seminary like TEDS can provide a fresh outlook during your time of formation uniting professors and students of various traditions under common core gospel truths while giving them the freedom to express their secondary theological differences.

Seminary Faculty

Students considering seminary should also pay attention to the school’s faculty since it is the faculty who guides students in the development of their character, theological method, and doctrine. The faculty at TEDS are not only widely published in evangelical academia, but are experienced and committed to the formation of students. At TEDS, students will find a unique combination of individual mentorship and excellence in scholarship.

After deciding on a seminary, students should also discern the degree program that suits them best. Seminary degrees are often a combination of pastoral and academic. For example, TEDS offers a world-renowned Master of Divinity program (available in-person or fully online) that combines pastoral skills with theological training and the study of biblical languages, which is ideal for those seeking to go into pastoral ministry. Students interested in an academic route of teaching, publishing, and a slew of other professions might want to consider one of TEDS’ master’s programs and research degrees, many of which offer online and in-person flexibility.

Scholarship Opportunities

Look for seminaries interested in your financial well-being, your spiritual development, and your involvement with other students and the local church. TEDS offers generous scholarships and financial aid to its students.

Resources for Students

In addition to the robust academic experiences TEDS offers to its students, it also seeks the formation of students as whole persons. TEDS offers weekly chapels, allowing students to take a break from classes and draw near to God in worship. Similarly, students can participate in spiritual formation groups, allowing them to grow in wisdom as well as relational understanding and love of their neighbor.

Trinity also hosts Mosaic Ministries, which is an effort that seeks to foster the ministry of reconciliation by creating a space for dialogue between theologically and ethnically diverse students. Finally, Trinity is committed to connecting its students to the local church, whether they are simply looking for somewhere to attend or for those who are interested in going into the ministry. Every October, TEDS holds a ministry networking EXPO, which represents many denominations, including Presbyterian, Covenant, Methodist, Baptist, Full Gospel, Evangelical Free, Mennonite, Assemblies of God, and Anglican churches.