Juggling School and Ministry: The Positives
Yesterday, I posted about the negatives of taking Grad classes while in full-time ministry. Remember, I am in no way against being a student while in ministry (I am doing it myself); I just wanted to point out the disadvantages. Now it is time for the advantages.
How Grad School Affects You Positively:
- Improve Your Ministry. This is the primary reason for going to Grad School: to get ministry training. Going for your MDiv is especially important for those who received their undergraduate degree in a non-ministry related field. Plus, by interacting with other pastors and professors in class, you are networking and learning more ideas to improve your ministry.
- Improve Your Relationship with Christ. It goes without saying, but the more time you spend in the Word, the better you are going to be. The primary importance for ministers of any kind (but especially youth workers) is their walk with the Lord. So long as you are in a Grad program, you will be learning more about the Bible and Christ. Be sure to view the Bible not as a textbook, but as the Word of God that it is.
- More Money. According to Group’s 2005 research on Youth Workers’ salaries (article here), youth workers with a graduate degree make on average $9000 more than ones with just a college degree. And since youth workers are not the “most affluent” in society, this is a significant raise in pay.
Those are some of the ones I came up with, but I know there are many more for others. What are your thoughts?
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