I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of honor lately. Sadly, I think showing-honor is almost a lost art, especially among those my age and younger. Too many times we young people come across as really impressed with ourselves and apparently forget the contribution of so many who have helped us get where we are in life. [Craig Groeschel spoke on the topic of honor at Catalyst this year, and Steve Murrell spoke about it earlier in the summer at the Every Nation conference in Manila. (The video of Pastor Steve's talk is available online.)]

Perhaps we think that we are smarter than the older generation because we are a little more technologically savvy. Or maybe we’re just plain arrogant. Whatever the reason, we must not forget that everything that in all our accomplishments we are “standing on the shoulders” of those who have gone before us and have helped us.

I have been influenced and learned from so many people over the years, and am thankful for all of them. Parents, teachers, coaches, parents of friends, mentors and even authors whom I have never met. I have been blessed by the advice, wisdom and example of so many amazing people. A few people who come to mind that I especially want to honor.

• My parents, Elmer and Susan Hess. Things in our family were pretty rough at times, but I learned much from their example of faith in God. I would often be looking for my Mom or Dad only to discover my Dad privately in his room kneeled down praying. My mom was faithful to read the Bible and her example in life spoke much more than her words.
• Ms. Metzger, my 5th grade teacher. She expected quality work, but was always positive and fair.
• Ms. Tysiachney, my middle school English teacher. She taught me the basics about writing a research paper, which seemed like an impossible task at the time. She helped encourage me in the baby steps. (I not only made it through high school, but have since received a Master’s Degree! Who would have thought that was possible?)
• My grandfather Bill Rhodes. He taught me how to ride a bike, how to drive a car, and then how to ride a motorcycle. On top of that he modeled manhood and a passion for learning that was contagious.
• Gabe Bouch, the campus missionary who reached out to me when I was a newly arrived transfer student to FSU. He patiently put up with all my questions and what must have been aggravating doubts and unbelief. He prayed for me and took me through the Purple Book, and later believed in me enough to ask me to lead a small group with the campus ministry.
• Manny Coya, the guy who stopped a game of tennis that we were playing and challenged me to step out into what God was putting on my heart and go into full time campus ministry.
• Ron Miller, the pastor who trusted me to with the responsibility of leading a campus ministry chapter, and who continues to support and encourage me to this day. His example of unwavering perseverance is inspiring!
• John Maxwell, whose many books on leadership have tremendously helped me to understand the nature  of leadership and the skills required to lead effectively.
• Steve Murrell, whose example of servant leadership and commitment to discipleship has forever influenced the way I “do ministry”.
• Mike and Christi McClure, who raised their daughter Katie and then allowed me to marry her. – They also facilitated a Financial Peace University class that gave me a plan and the wisdom to better order my finances. (Thanks to Dave Ramsey on this point as well!)

I want to live a life of gratitude and honor. I want to honor God, first and foremost, and then all those who have been used by God. (Though I am sure there are more of these than I even realize.) Without the obedience and faithfulness of many others, I wouldn’t be the same person that I am today.

While “going to seminary” isn’t a panacea for all the needs and desires of the aspiring Christian leader, there are benefits to be gained.

The depth of subject-matter knowledge that a seminary professor has within their area of focus will far exceed that of your average pastor or teacher. Even a pastor who is a diligent student of the Scriptures will likely be too busy with other church work to be able to keep up with all the latest research in a the field of Biblical Studies. There is much that can be learned from studied men who devote themselves to mastery of a subject.

Most seminaries also bring together students from diverse backgrounds and even various denominations. Learning with others who have different perspectives on things can be a very helpful element in the process.

Completing a prescribed program of study in a seminary also helps to eliminate potential “blind spots” in a leader’s personal theology. We naturally tend to gravitate towards learning more about those things that interest us, but there are some things that are just good to know, regardless of whether we find them particularly intriguing or not.

Lastly, there is the issue of credentialing. Some Christian organizations actually require advanced degrees of would-be pastors/leaders. In other contexts, while degrees may not be actually required by any governing body, they do lend additional credibility to those who have them. We still live in a society where people understand the work it takes to get advanced degrees and tend to give extra respect to those who have done the work to get them. Sure, you can learn a lot on your own, and yes the degree is “a piece of paper”, but it’s a piece of paper that can make a big difference in some situations.

As a part-time seminary student and full-time minister of the Gospel, I think seminary education can be helpful under some circumstances, but it’s simply not right for everyone, and it’s something that must be weighed against other priorities (dare I say more important priorities?) in life. Each person should evaluate exactly what they intend to get out of it, not just go in blindly with big expectations.

Even if you think it is the right thing at the right time for you to pursue a seminary education do so intentionally and with discernment. Be realistic about what you are going to learn at a seminary. You can pick up some tools there, but don’t expect to learn everything you ever needed to know about ministry through a seminary. If you do, you will surely be disappointed.

Though this may seem like a negative way to look at it, sometimes it just helps to be clear about what something is not, to then better understand what it is.

Seminary is not a place where all your questions are going to get answered or where you are going to be on a constant “mountain top” experience. Whatever else they may be seminaries amount to graduate level, academic work. For those in seminary there will be a lot of time spent writing papers, doing research, and trying to stay awake during less-than-exciting lectures.

Also, I don’t think that seminary is the right option for everyone wanting to serve God. God’s servants need to be equipped, but there are other ways to do this than getting a graduate degree. It is silly to make seminary a requirement for most ministry positions, (though some denominations do).

Not all seminaries will build your faith, or help you as a Christian. Within many seminaries are “wolves in sheep’s clothing”: professors who teach things that undermine rather than strengthen.  Not all of this is intentional, but let’s face the facts. It happens. Seminary isn’t a place to turn off your discernment.

Even many of the best seminaries don’t seem to do a very good job at the practical element of ministry training. Though some require some kind of “internship”, there are a lot less expensive ways that you could get ministry experience.

Seminary isn’t cheap. In fact it can be very, very expensive.

Most seminary students seem to have knowledge which far exceeds their experience or their heart for people. This is a big problem, and one which has brought about wide-spread concern. Some seminary leaders have taken steps to try to correct this, but the problem is still very real. Seminary isn’t a great place to go to have your heart for people developed.

Similarly, seminary isn’t a great place to meet people with above-average people skills. Like most graduate school environments most people are focused on their research, tests and completing assigned readings. Some students who study on “brick and mortar” seminaries (contrasted with distance studies or “online campuses”) do develop great friendships with other students, but most seminary students are older and have families so don’t have a lot of time for extra socializing with other students.

[The next post will take a more positive turn to look at some of the Potential Benefits of Seminary Education.]