At the heart of theological and religious studies are ideas, text, beliefs and actions – something that many people of all different walks of life can benefit from. Not only will studying theology deepen your knowledge of religion and foster a faith-seeking understanding, but it can also be applied to your future endeavors.
Overall, theology is the study of God and religious belief and theory. There are many reasons one might study theology, as there are unique pathways for all who earn a degree in theology. Some earn the degree to enhance their personal and community lives, some pursue a degree as a pathway toward furthering education, while others utilize the degree in their professional workplace or to further their vocational ministry.
Whatever the reason may be, deciphering whether the study of theology is a good fit for you can be challenging. Continue reading to explore if theology school is right for you.
What is the Right Pathway for You?
Where are you in your path? Are you just discovering a sense for vocation, or are you ready to grow and develop through learning and discerning? Taking a step back to envision the future you want for yourself can help decipher your goals. The chart below may offer greater insight into your current stage of life.
| Vocational |
Lay Ministry |
Non-Profit Work |
|
| Career-Changer |
It’s time for something different! I am no longer fulfilled in my current vocation and my calling feels big - a pastor, chaplain or something like that. I need more training for ordination and to better understand people and theology. | I have been in my career for a long time and I’m pretty satisfied in my field. But I want more training to become a better church member, small-group leader and parent. I also want to know how to more deeply integrate the tenets of my Christian faith into my workplace. | I think God is calling me to something different but it’s not in the church. I am interested in full-time non-profit work or I am interested in being involved more in faith-based non-profit work or boards. |
| Recent Graduate |
Ministry may or may not have always been in view, but recently I feel the call to full-time ministry and I need more training in order to meet ordination requirements and/or meeting minimum qualification standards. | I don’t see myself as a full-time minister, but the role I play in my church (as a volunteer) is significant. I want to make sure I am living out my faith at my job, and I think learning more will help me offer my church family (and my own family) my very best. | I want to be a part of something bigger. I’m not exactly sure what this will look like yet - maybe I’ll volunteer more, maybe an eventual career change, but I think furthering my education is going to help. |
| Current Student |
My bachelor’s degree program isn’t finished yet, but I am feeling called to full time service. Graduate school was in my future anyway, so I want to explore the options that might fit with my future in ministry and the church. | Campus ministry and/or my faith have really been important to me and I want to understand more how I can make an impact through lay ministry as I move into my future. I don’t think this will be my career but I want more education. | I feel like just a small part of the puzzle, but I want my future career to make a big impact. I don’t think I am called to full-time ministry, but I’m captivated by non-profit and humanitarian work. |
If one or a combination of these pathways reflects you, listed below are five questions to ask yourself:
1. Are You Interested in Increasing Your Knowledge About Your Faith, Christianity and the Church?
Is your faith something you hold close to your heart? Maybe you were raised in the church as a Christian or your love for God came as you grew. Or, you might be seeking to learn more about religion and Christianity and not know where to begin. Nevertheless, a degree in theology can prepare you for many things, including becoming ordained, teaching theology, becoming a counselor, mentor and more.
2. Can You Utilize Your Christian Leadership Skills to Teach, Preach or Live Out God's Love?
Being called to ministry doesn’t happen overnight, and discerning this call can present challenges. However, this is a special gift that should not go overlooked. No two call stories are alike, and the journey of a life called by God isn’t always a straight and narrow path. You may feel overwhelmed, but this is a gift that God wants you to develop further. The objective is to be prepared.
Obtaining a degree in a theology school can help you clarify your calling and permit you to learn about, utilize, test and challenge your gifts and talents.
3. Do You Want to Strengthen Your Personal or Professional Life Through Christ?
Many people use a theology degree to fulfill their personal life. This can be used to increase their religious knowledge, build a stronger and closer connection to God, build and strengthen their faith or by taking their life a step further and becoming ordained in the church.
Others use a theology degree in their professional life to enhance or strengthen their servant leadership skills and vocations, such as those who work for hospitals and other businesses, charity organizations, non-profits, parishes, dioceses and more. Advancing knowledge in theology and applying it to your vocation can affect and improve your place of work, and your overall professional fulfillment.
4. Is There Alignment Between Your Core Being and Your Call to Ministry?
If you believe you have been called to ministry, do the skills that you currently have – and are developing – align with your call? In other words, do your aspirations and dreams of serving your community through ministry match your current vocation?
Some people disregard their call due to the pursuit of other goals. If you feel torn, it may be time to look at the greater picture and reconsider your trajectory if your personal and professional goals differ from the servant leadership you think you may be called to.
If you are unhappy with your current role, or you feel unfulfilled every day, choosing this new path may be the best fit choice for you. The need to be fulfilled should never be overlooked. By learning and discerning through theology school, following God’s call can be extremely life-giving, especially when you feel like you’ve finally found your way: the right path for you.
5. Are You Ready to Respond to God's Call as a Servant Leader?
Arguably the most challenging yet rewarding part of servant leadership is offering all that you are and all that you have to God. By submitting yourself to Christ, you put God’s work and others before yourself. Serving others and embracing God’s call on your life is a courageous act of selflessness.
If you are not ready to take this leap, you may need to step back and reevaluate if your core being aligns with your goals and your call.
So, is a theology degree right for you? It’s okay if you don’t have all of the answers even after reading the prompted questions. There are no right or wrong responses when entering theology school and opening yourself up to God and God’s work.
If you’re still feeling unsure, our team at Perkins School of Theology can help!
Earning a Degree in Theology from Perkins
A decision to start a new chapter of life never comes easy, but if you believe there is something deeper and more meaningful meant for your path, it’s best not to ignore it, yet, embrace it.
At Perkins School of Theology, we are a diverse community that welcomes all Christian voices. We honor your unique worth, and strive to prepare you with the theological study needed to emphasize and bring your gifts and talents to life.
We offer many different pathways and graduate degrees to continue growing your vocational goals and invite you to explore them.
If you’re looking for more guidance, our team is happy and ready to speak to you about your potential new journey. Please feel free to schedule a meeting with us.
Discover and learn more about discerning your call through theology school by accessing our interactive page, Discerning Your Call to Ministry: Is a Theology Degree Your Next Step?
