The Seminaries are in Trouble?

In this provocative episode of *Theology Central*, host and former pastor delivers a blistering critique of the modern seminary system, arguing that seminaries are not only in crisis but fundamentally flawed in their purpose and structure. Drawing from decades of personal experience across various theological institutions—from fundamental Baptist Bible colleges to Catholic universities—he contends that the entire 'seminary industrial complex' is a failed business model that has replaced biblical, church-based discipleship with an expensive, disconnected academic system. He highlights alarming enrollment declines, rising costs, and the growing disconnect between seminary education and real pastoral ministry. Central to his argument is the belief that the church has abdicated its responsibility to train leaders, instead outsourcing it to institutions that often produce liberal, woke, or disconnected pastors. He calls for a return to the New Testament model of local church, relational, on-the-job training—where men are mentored by pastors within the church context, learning theology through real ministry, not just classroom study. The episode ends with a fiery challenge: if your church isn’t offering a seminary-level education through preaching and teaching, it’s not fulfilling its mission.