wfn.org | Study says U.S. seminaries should raise standards, recruit younger students

[ENS@ecunet.org]

2001-82

Study says U.S. seminaries should raise standards, recruit younger students 

by Jan Nunley

     (ENS) Seminarians at the turn of the 21st century are older, often new to 
their denomination or faith, more likely to be female than male, and less likely 
to have studied theology, philosophy, religion or the other "humanities" than 
their counterparts in the middle of the 20th century. That's the picture emerging 
from the first comprehensive study of students entering American seminaries, just 
completed by the Auburn Center for the Study of Theological Education in New 
York.

     The seminarian of 1950 was a young man fresh out of college, with an 
undergraduate degree in the humanities. But today's seminarians come from 
congregations rather than campuses. The mean age of seminarians is now about 35, 
and 58 percent of all students are over the age of 30. By contrast, entering 
medical school students average about 25 and law students 26 years. 

Debate informs study

     Some observers say the increase in age means able college graduates are 
avoiding ministry, and charge that some of the older students "washed out" of 
their first career choice and sought refuge in ministry as a result. But others 
say older students with a first career behind them bring a maturity and diversity 
of social perspectives that actually strengthens both the ministry and 
theological education. 

     The Auburn study says both arguments have merit. Older students bring 
diversity and commitment to congregational ministry, but frequently aren't 
prepared for serious academic work , and often their religious commitments are 
relatively recent. Yet younger students, whose academic experience is more 
recent, often aren't attracted to congregational ministry and are less involved 
in church life than older students.

     The study also points out that theological schools are not as selective as 
other professional schools in order to maintain enrollments. Many accept almost 
all applicants who meet a minimum standard, and therefore religious communities 
can't rely on a professional degree from an accredited theological school. 

Changes needed

     The study says that theological schools need to raise their standards for 
admissions, but at the same time recommends that churches and synagogues raise 
salaries and benefits for clergy to attract younger people to congregational 
ministry, and cooperate with seminaries in joint recruitment programs.

     It also calls for seminaries to recruit recent college graduates while at 
the same time offering increased support to well-qualified older students. 

     "People of ability, especially the young, seek social roles that position 
them to make a substantial difference," said study co-director Barbara G. 
Wheeler, president of Auburn Theological Seminary and director of the Auburn 
Center. "The internal weakness of many religious organizations and their lack of 
influence in the wider society limit the amount of impact their leaders can 
expect to have." 

     The critical question Wheeler said religious groups have to answer is, "Do 
we care about the quality of religious leaders we educate? If so, how can we join 
forces to set higher standards and meet them?" 

Highlights of the study 

     The mean age of seminarians is now about 35 years old 

     More than half of all students are over age 30. 

     Women now make up about half of entering students of mainline Protestant 
institutions and about 30 percent of students of Roman Catholic and evangelical 
institutions. 

     Both African-Americans and Hispanics are significantly underrepresented.

     Seminarians come from predominantly middle-class backgrounds.

     Half of all students have switched denominations or faith traditions before 
entering seminary.

     Most had not majored in the humanities. 

     The most common undergraduate major for men: technical studies, such as 
business or communications.

     The most common undergraduate major for women: social, natural or behavioral 
science. 

     Entering theological students have been out of college for an average of 10 
years. 

     Almost 90 percent of seminarians attend their first choice of institution. 
(Less than half of law students are attending their first choice of school..)

      (A complete copy of the report is available on the Web at 
http://www.auburnsem.org/studies/problem/ )

--The Rev. Jan Nunley is deputy director of the Office of News and Information 
for the Episcopal Church