Dismiss

askville homepage
Hightest Level: 1
Asked by Truthdancer 28 months ago ( Send a Compliment)

Details:

It was a notice at the bottom of a "spiritual", or the like, list of answers, or discussions.


0
Forward to Friends Forward to friends
Discuss this question (2 comments) why can't I answer? add to Digg Digg it! add to Facebook Add to Facebook Report abuse

av-answers (2)
(2)
 
show all details - hide all details

"Whether you look depends on why you want one."

Hightest Level: 3 by funnyvalentine on Jul 07 2007 (28 months ago)
Best Answer Winner! Best Answer
Official Rating
Five stars
There are several seminaries that function either partially or fully online; the one that i am most familiar with is Meadville Lombard, which is a Unitarian Universalist Seminary.  It is mostly independent study, with an in person component that lasts for a week each semester.

If you're looking for insight into scripture and/or religious practice, many schools offer that; Drew, in NJ; New York Theological Seminary, in NY, and probably countless others. 

If you're looking into seminary as a venue for ordination, you'll be picky. You'll look for a school that invites conversation, rather than sticking to traditional dogma.  Today's ministers cannot be mired in "what has always been" even as they are informed, of course, by history, scripture, and historical practice.

I went to Union Seminary in the City of New York (yes, their official title....) and I have to say I learned as much from the students wandering the halls  and having coffee in the quad as I did from their stellar faculty. Union's staff consists of the people on other seminaries' syllabuses, but the provocative discussion with my peers had just as much of an impact on my learning there.  While I've done some other grad work at Fordham's school of Theology and Drew, the experience of going to Union was truly life changing for me.  I don't know if I'd have had the same experience if I was only online.  No, scratch that, I'm SURE I wouldn't have had the same experience because i HAVE done several all online courses. None of them compared.  I would go as far as to say a lesser school in person is more inspiring than a greater school remotely.

I was very, very lucky to serve an internship at a great church in New York, and now I have a practice writing and creating weddings (more school, www.celebrantusa.com).  I couldn't be more happy at how it all turned out and I hope it happens for you.

Celia
Like this Answer? Thumb Up (1)

"There are many online seminary programs"

Hightest Level: 5 by EddieNygma on Jul 06 2007 (28 months ago)
Official Rating
Four stars
First, just in case you're actually asking about a way to become an ordained minister online, you might be thinking of the Universal Life Church. They're fairly well known as the easiest way to become an ordained minister. It's free and all you have to do is fill out the application and you're done:

http://www.themonastery.org/

But as for a program that actual educates you, there are several. One of the more popular because if its low cost is Northwestern Theological Seminary. It's not the best school in the world, but it's cheap and quick:

http://www.northwesternseminary.com/

There are many others with better reputations, like Trinity College:

http://www.trinitysem.edu/

But just doing a search for "online seminary degree" will bring up quite a few more.

I hope that helps!!
Sources: http://www.northwesternseminary.com/
Like this Answer? Thumb Up (0)




Or ask a question of your own:


 

Latest post on this question's discussion board:

I started Union Seminary when I was 44! I never thought I'd get that far, but I am so grateful that I did. My life has been changed by those three years. I wish you the best in your search.
Read more & discuss (2 comments)