Illustration by Ellen Marello

Embedded seminaries are the duck-billed platypus of higher education; universities don’t quite know how to fit us into the chart of educational species. We don’t have the same financial structures and marketing needs. Other programs must demonstrate “gainful employment outcomes” but seminaries can say, “Look how we can help you suffer,” and “We will help you earn less.” Our return on investment is not measured in monetary terms; it is personal and spiritual formation and fulfillment. It is focused on God, and hard to measure in tangible terms.

The students are different than those just 20 years ago. There is a refreshing tendency away from infighting, and greater global awareness of the diversity and mystery of the body of Christ. Far fewer students today feel called to ministry in the local church. Indeed, many come to us praying ABC: “Anything but Church, God! Send me to hard places, but please don’t ask me to serve in the local church.”

We have challenge and opportunity. We can show our students (and those across the university) what it looks like to live in authentic community. We can help students find purpose in their vocations. We can equip and inspire those who will become, perhaps with reluctance and surprise, leaders of our local churches.