tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post3506210393146528062..comments2023-11-05T00:58:55.352-07:00Comments on A Peculiar Prophet: Educational Indebtedness of New PastorsWilliam H. Willimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00002821401928222858noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-82321447048071359632009-03-25T17:33:00.000-07:002009-03-25T17:33:00.000-07:00This seems like an opportunity for the church to b...This seems like an opportunity for the church to be the church.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-5313163774984143942009-03-23T11:28:00.000-07:002009-03-23T11:28:00.000-07:00I think that we must also find ways to educate sem...I think that we must also find ways to educate seminarians about budgeting and debt management. I am in seminary and I have been helped tremendously by MEF Funds provided by the NA Conference. Many times I scratch my head at fellow seminarians buying cars and taking expensive vacations between semesters while at the same time crying about their debt load.<BR/><BR/>My situation is unique. I am a single pastor with no children. I have been able to pay my way though seminary with my salary and the MEF help. I understand this isn't possible for every person, but I often wonder how there can be $30,000-40,000 debts if we are responsibly managing our resources.UmcMatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06370407636307802957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-10852478662627539352009-03-19T09:25:00.000-07:002009-03-19T09:25:00.000-07:00Sir,I am second career Local Pastor (retired Air F...Sir,<BR/>I am second career Local Pastor (retired Air Force). MDiv from Logsdon School of Theology at Hardin Simmons U in Abilene, TX. Fully accredited but unapproved. Took denominational courses through Asbury. Received COS credit but must do 30 more hours to become elder. I am called to the small church. To go back and repeat educational requirements I already have. If you haven't read or listened to John Ed Mathison's comments on the Methodistthinker.com site on his concerns for the UMC.BobKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10307523265254445952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-27443227908422295162009-03-17T05:28:00.000-07:002009-03-17T05:28:00.000-07:00I agree that coming out of Seminary in debt is a b...I agree that coming out of Seminary in debt is a bad thing. I did it 29 years ago so it is not a new thing. Now my daughter will finish her undergraduate degree in August and will begin payment on her student loans shortly thereafter. All professional educational courses are expensive. By the way, what a minister will make their first year out will likely be more than my daughter will make 10 years out. We each chose our course.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-39979696493742196722009-03-16T20:13:00.000-07:002009-03-16T20:13:00.000-07:00I'm currently trying to figure out if I'm experien...I'm currently trying to figure out if I'm experiencing a calling or if I'm guilty of spiritual pride.<BR/><BR/>The fact that my current situation (wife, baby) makes the cost of seminary a primary concern makes me feel it may be the latter. But it is helpful to read that a) I'm not the only one and b) that it has been recognized that the cost of seminary is, in a word, prohibitive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-47216688810689531232009-03-16T19:36:00.000-07:002009-03-16T19:36:00.000-07:00Here's another angle to consider: my wife and I ca...Here's another angle to consider: my wife and I came into the UMC from another denomination but attended an expensive grad school (re: Duke). We had no financial guidance from our church tradition/denomination at the time. But here we are in the UMC and happy to serve.<BR/><BR/>It was common knowledge at div school that many students lacked a denominational commitment but were preparing for ministry all the same. Those students were receiving NO financial aid beyond loans, petty grants, and Field Education funds (which, by the way, Duke RADICALLY CHANGED during our first year).<BR/><BR/>How will the UMC prepare for leaders who come in too late to benefit from scholarships?<BR/><BR/>Is it feasible to offer a "work off your student debt" program?Casey Taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16288271861136590414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-29361112894705689202009-03-16T19:17:00.000-07:002009-03-16T19:17:00.000-07:00Like Amber (a good friend from LaGrange College), ...Like Amber (a good friend from LaGrange College), financial support was always a concern when applying to graduate school. I will be returning to N.GA when I graduate with no debt. I am one of the lucky few. Currently attending Vanderbilt Divinity (Bishop WIllimon, I am in class with some fine folks returning to your conference.), Cal Turner, Jr. is funding a new fellowship program for UMC students on the ordination track. I am a member of the first cohort. I hope more schools, especially non-UMC related institutions, find ways to fund similar programs. The Turner Scholars Fellowship allows me to go to school and work in a local church. This happens all three years as I complete my masters. It is (very) creative thinking between the school, churches, and supporters to conceptualize such fellowships. <BR/><BR/>I am getting an education, developing leadership skills, and working in the church all at once. I am doing now while critically thinking about the future. This vision and mission of my program addresses all your concerns. <BR/><BR/>See, one of the lucky few!BEAThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00525144852181461124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-63049758219393883962009-03-16T13:37:00.000-07:002009-03-16T13:37:00.000-07:00Thanks for caring! As a potential candidate for Or...Thanks for caring! As a potential candidate for Ordination in the N. Ga Conference I can tell you that we scramble to find scholarships, and there are never enough. Not to mention, the seminary debt is often piled on top of our undergraduate debt. It often feels that our conferences and districts forget about those us of who desperately want to serve the Church, at least monetarily. <BR/><BR/>So thanks for thinking of us!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-48261195953876530292009-03-16T13:13:00.000-07:002009-03-16T13:13:00.000-07:00JimCouldn’t agree with you more. I’m not sure that...Jim<BR/><BR/>Couldn’t agree with you more. I’m not sure that Univ. related div. schools are more expensive than others, after their financial aid packages, but I know that they are more expensive if you look at their tuition alone. Duke Div., my last year in their employ, had the largest percentage increase in tuition of any grad school at Duke. Of course, their tuition was the lowest of any grad school at Duke. Still….<BR/><BR/>I don’t know what a bishop like me can do about this trend, but I want to try.<BR/><BR/>WillWilliam H. Willimonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00002821401928222858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35889031.post-21150677263820004042009-03-16T12:05:00.000-07:002009-03-16T12:05:00.000-07:00It is my experience that students attending Univer...It is my experience that students attending University approved, non-UM seminaries have less support, and therefore, may have more indebtedness.<BR/><BR/>What are your thoughts on this?jimmorrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04833993907202352474noreply@blogger.com