In defense of theological education

SarahLaughed provides some powerful food for thought re: a “radical solution for theological education.”

Among her insights:

The only nations in which I hear a significant number of complaints about seminary education as unnecessary and not worth funding are from the richest nations in the world, and most especially the U.S....

But if Directors of Christian Education/Formation are paid less, hired more reluctantly, and fired soonest when the budget contracts, and if thought is widespread that running a bank is better preparation for ordained ministry than intensive and extended study of scripture and tradition in community, then I think it's a given that seminaries' resources will dwindle.

It's not often that I hear this kind of defense of Christian ed in the parish, but there it is.