Right at the onset, I want to make it absolutely clear that this is not, I repeat, NOT a personal appeal for support or a rant about personal finances. I consider myself quite blessed because I have the ongoing support of my Diocese, my Parish, my parents and many wonderful people throughout Western Louisiana. To all of them, thank you and God bless you.
Rather, my intention is to address the issue of support for those seminaries that are going to be producing the future clergy for the Anglican Church in America. Yes, I am talking about the orthodox, traditional seminaries that are dedicated to the formation of clergy who know and love God, are steeped in the Scripture, trained in the true doctrines of the Church, well read in the history and traditions of Anglicanism, and who appreciate the liturgy and proper use of the B.C.P.
Right now, there are two seminaries in the United States that meet those criteria. In fact, I believe it was the Archbishop of Uganda who recently singled out these two institutions as the only seminaries in the United States to which he would send his candidates for the priesthood. These are Nashotah House Theological Seminary located in Nashotah, WI, and Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry located in Ambridge, PA, just outside Pittsburgh.
As we move into a new era for the Anglican Church in the United States and abroad, there will be a real need for more orthodox clergy. It is a sad fact that historically ECUSA is the only major denomination in the United States that fails to directly support its seminaries or seminarians. It is also a fact that the cost of a seminary education has continued to rise to a point that makes going to seminary cost prohibitive for some who have been called by God to serve in His Church.
Some may say that if one is called to the priesthood, then certainly God will provide, will He not? True, He does provide; and one of the ways that He provides is through the generosity of those faithful who support individual seminarians or who give directly to a seminary. I can only speak with authority about my experience at Nashotah, but we are faced with a tuition in the neighborhood of $10,000 - $12,000 per academic year, cost for room and board, books and supplies, and then add on the normal expenses of a family with three kids. I understand that the size of this year’s Junior class is smaller than expected because there were several students who could not afford the cost.
There is a desperate need for well trained, spiritually sound, orthodox clergy in this country. That is a fact. There is a need for such clergy throughout the world. Nashotah has more seminarians right now that we have had in many years. We have students from all over the country and from several of the Continuing Churches. We are also hoping to make it possible for more overseas students to complete their training here.
God has blessed and will continue to bless these institutions. If you are concerned about the state of the Anglican Church in America, then please consider what kind of support you, your parish or your diocese might be able to provide. Every little bit helps, and the benefits for the Church will be reaped for decades to come.
“Open, O Lord, the hearts and hands of your people, that they may be ready to give and glad to distribute to our necessities. Bless the founders and benefactors of this House, and recompense them with the riches of your everlasting kingdom, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.” From the Prayer for Nashotah House
Nashotah House Theological Seminary – Nashotah, WI
http://www.nashotah.edu/index.htm
Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry - Ambridge, PA
http://www.tesm.edu/
To God be the Glory; now and forever.
Your Brother in Christ,
Michael W. Millard
Nashotah House ‘08
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If any readers would like to send a donation to Nashotah House, address the envelope to Ms. Bonnie Voskuil, Development Office, 2777 Mission Rd., Nashotah, WI 53058. Make the check payable to Nashotah House, and write "student scholarships" in the memo line of the check for general scholarship donations.
My own finances have been ruined by going to seminary. I left the Episcopal Church for the Catholic Church a few years ago, making my incredibly-expensive education pretty much useless for finding any other job. Even if I were to seek ordination in the Catholic Church, I wouldn't be paid enough to make my student loan payments.
I've actually considered suing TEC for breach of promise, since they trained me for a position, then made it impossible for me to do it. But it wouldn't stick, and I don't have the money anyway. :+)
I can attest to the expense of seminary. There are far too many graduates who carry a far too high a debt load after graduating.
I want to challenge your contention that Nashotah and Trinity are the only seminaries that "are dedicated to the formation of clergy who know and love God, are steeped in the Scripture, trained in the true doctrines of the Church, well read in the history and traditions of Anglicanism, and who appreciate the liturgy and proper use of the B.C.P.
There is probably nothing I could say that would convince you otherwise, but my experience at GTS was exactly the above. I grew up in Evangelical Pentecostalism, so I know well Evangelical theology and experience, which in my case applies more to Trinity than Nashotah.
My experience at GTS was what you describe above, and I am far from liberal.
It is absolutely true that you will find a wider theological perspective among students who come to GTS than might attend Nashotah, but that is my uninformed guess. From my professors, my instruction was pretty much orthodox, even while they exposed us to other theological perspectives. I was gladly required to take four scripture courses taught by professors who never once challenged the veracity of scripture or that it contained all things necessary for salvation. Etc... Of course, you will find liberals at GTS, but our instruction and worship was orthodox and traditional.
I find it odd that Nashotah has cast it's lot with Trinity when historically, pietistically (High Church), and theologically (Catholic) it still has far more in common with General (in the Oxford Tradition) than Evangelical and Charismatic Trinity.
I graduated from Sewanee in 2003. I am rock solidly orthodox and found Sewanee's eductaion to be extremely effective in preparing me for ministry. Yes, there was some liberal profs, but steel sharpens steel and I am all the more prepared to articulate sound Christian doctrine in this pluralistic church & society. I view my role as a missionary within TEC.
And by the way, Sewanee's grant generally begins with full tuition. Based upon your family size it goes up from there. SIMS & DuBose schoalrships were there for application & receipt. Our family arrived & left debt free.
Your claim of 2 seminaries meeting your narrow criteria is way overstated. You know about as much about other seminaries as they do about Nashotah. They think you sleep in a cassock & hate women. They think Sewanee has rebel flags on the altar. All of which is bunk.
Don't look for mother church to baby you. Take initiative for the Gospel & do what Christ calls you to do. Everything else will come if you are truly called & faithful.
To everyone who has taken the time to comment, thank you. To Bob and Theologator, I wrote this posting based upon what I know of the seminaries in this country from information gleaned mostly from other people who have had experience with those seminaries, what I have read about thos seminaries, and based upon the graduates that I know from those seminaries. There are certainly many people who have attended seminaries other than Nathotah and Trinity who are most definitely orthodox in their doctrine, but I would have to say that the recent graduates that fit that bill are definitely the exception rather than the rule. Sewanee, I understand, is beginning the long road back toward a more orthodox faculty and curriculum, and I pray to God that that continues.
I also feel the need to make clear that I do not, and never have, expected the Church to pay my way through seminary. In fact, I think that having 815 involved in that way would be detrimental to places like Nashotah and Trinity. I would much rather see the support for all the seminaries come from individuals, parishes, and dioceses.
All I can say is that this is a problem that needs to be addressed seriously by all leadership in the church, from Vestries to CoM's to 815. The Society for the Increase of Ministry has begun working towards funding this effort, but they have a long road in front of them. What I like best about their efforts is that the endowment will fund seminarians wherever they attend. Sometimes, seminarians are forced to choose seminaries based on factors other than on theological preconceptions (i.e. spouse needs to be employed, bishop's requirement, etc). What's worse is the lack of attention paid to this phenomena and its future impact on the church. Grads will be required to serve where their bills (loans) can be (re) paid. Yes, God can provide for all things, but given our system, many smaller family/parish-sized churches will be left without clergy coverage unless someone retires in the area.
What's worse, of course, is when churches assume that the diocese is helping out and the diocese assumes the parish is helping out. I was fortunate in that my bishop (Iowa) made support a high priority for all of his seminarians. For many other seminarians (TESM), most of whom came from Network dioceses, the level of support was not there until bishops and rectors were reminded of the cost and the need. As the cost of education continues to increase, so will the need.
Of course, rather than wringing our hands about it, we can take steps. You might consider adopting a seminarian family (or more if you are able) from your diocese. Sometimes the smallest check can make the biggest difference. You might consider suggesting your parish do the same. If no one is in seminary from your diocese, find a seminarian from a neighboring or (gasp) theologically like-minded diocese. You can even call the seminaries themselves who are usually willing to identify those families with the greatest need. If you are high enough up the hierarchy in the church, you can even suggest that 1% of the Pension Fund contribution (currently at 18%) be given to SIM for the creation of this endowed scholarship for all ordinands. If we, as a church, are going to affirm calls and send, we need to take ownership of the whole process and truly equip those called to succeed.
Peace,
Brian+
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