Should I Consider Seminary Online?

In a world where rapidly evolving technology is opening exciting new doors for education, students exploring ministry training are presented with more options than ever before. While there are many benefits to the traditional in-person approach to seminary education, innovative online options may better fit the needs of some prospective students.

Online seminary may be better suited for students who desire flexibility and accessibility in their graduate studies. Additionally, pursuing seminary online provides a unique opportunity for those who are presently serving in ministry to continue serving in their given context while completing coursework.

While online seminary is not for everybody, technology can allow aspiring pastors, counselors, and ministers to receive meaningful theological education that will equip them for a lifetime of fruitful ministry. Here are some pros and cons of online seminary that any potential students should consider.

1. Flexibility: The most obvious advantage of online seminary is the flexibility that it offers. Many students are balancing family, work, and more, which can make dedicated time in the classroom a challenge. By listening to pre-recorded lectures online or joining an online interactive lecture from the comfort of your home, you can develop theologically while customizing your schedule to accommodate various other commitments. Not all students can move themselves or their families to the seminary of their choice, making online seminary an ideal alternative.

2. Affordability: Online seminary may prove to be a more affordable choice as the expenses of campus life and relocation are eliminated. The financial benefits and overall flexibility of online seminary make seminary more accessible to students whose schedules and finances may have prohibited them from pursuing seminary previously.

3. Maintaining Church Service: A final, often overlooked, benefit of online seminary is that it enables aspiring ministers to continue serving in the local church that has identified and affirmed their call to ministry. This is especially helpful in cases where a student has planted deep roots in a local church or is already serving on staff.

By continuing service alongside online coursework, students can actively apply the truths that they are learning in the classroom to the life of the local church. Online seminary enables students to develop as theologians, ministers, and counselors wherever they live.

1. Lack of In-Person Lectures: Students who enjoy the interactive aspect of classroom lectures may find it more difficult to engage with pre-recorded lectures in an online format. Online education makes asking questions in real time more challenging. Thankfully, many online seminaries counteract this by providing live interactive lectures. Most professors welcome questions via email or offer office hours where students can better engage with the course content via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

2. Doing Theology in Community: Another valuable aspect of in-person seminary education is the opportunity to “do theology in community.” Many seminary graduates would say that they learned just as much in the post-class discussions with fellow seminarians as they did during their lectures. Again, seminaries like TEDS have worked to address this need by providing written discussion boards where students can meaningfully engage with one another as they tackle new concepts.

3. Required Discipline: Lastly, because of the highly flexible nature of most online seminary programs, a heightened level of self-discipline is required of students. Students who struggle to independently maintain a disciplined schedule may find it challenging to set aside time to watch lectures and complete assignments and readings. Because of the more regimented nature of in-person seminary, students who desire more structure in their education may not be as suited for online education.

Regardless of whether students pursue theological education in a traditional in-person setting or online, the Lord is certain to honor their faithfulness as they seek to honor Him through education. As long as the pursuit of their seminary endeavors is an act of worship, the Lord can prepare workers equally in both online and in-person settings.