Yes, my own thinking on the matter is profoundly shaped by Western monasticism. The largest problem that presents itself about sending seminarians off to monasteries in Anglicanism is that despite having by far the largest monastic population of any protestant church, there are simply too few monasteries to be counted on to teach substantial numbers of seminarians.

Also, one would be rather hard pressed to find celibate clergy anywhere. So “sending one off” to a monastery is complicated by the reality of a family that would either need to be sent with them (and taken care of) or be without h/er for an extended period of time. The extent to which celibate clergy are more able to be subject to the needs of the Church is a profound witness to the possibility of a priesthood totally dedicated to the Church. We could use a renewal in monasticism and celibacy to be sure in addition to other movements including so-called “New Monasticism” which is really more like the Catholic Workers Movement.

John,

You pose insanely relevant questions. It is highly unlikely that one model of seminary, be it the one I’m working out or whatever, that would serve the whole church. It is possible that in a situation like yours that an extensive reading list and pastoral mentoring by local priests could fill in at least most of your education. I will be thinking a bit more about this for upcoming posts.

Not to be trite but traditionally they were called monasteries. I think it would do a world of good for seminaries to send their students off to work in a monastery for a time period. Most I would think still perform those types of tasks. It could be linked to a discernment process I would think.

I agree with you on the rural and urban problem in relating theology. While we can’t expect that even a minority of laity could have a grasp of this lifestyle, it would help for the pastor to do so.

I’m not sure that this is a problem only for seminarians. There is an ever widening gulf between the urban who consume food and those ever shrinking groups of people that grow it. I myself am such an urbanite. But that particular discussion may take us off a bit too far.

Returning, yes I think you’re right in certain respects. For instance after I spent some time with sheep I realized that they are loud, whiny, dirty, stupid and stubborn beasts. Though I suspect I learned more about myself then than about God or the priesthood!

There seems to be a massive marginalizing of the rural and frankly, analogical theology begins to unravel without reference material. I don’t wonder if it is not only rationalism and atheism but our widening distance from that which sustains our life that natural theology has fallen on hard times.

Also, if some small seminaries were able to create reasonably self-sustaining rural communities it would be an invaluable way to make seminary affordable and convenient for families. I hope to elaborate on possible shapes for seminaries in future posts.

I don’t know if this is on topic or off.

I’ve wondered if its difficult for a seminary student to relate to the Gospel images.

Perhaps some insight could be gain if a student spent 3 months doing the following tasks : fisherman, farmer, shepherd,& vineyard.

Given that 85% of American lives and works in an urban environment how can they relate to Gospel passages that they probably only experienced on a field trip when they were in 3rd grade?

Wouldn’t the seminarian who actually had to perform such tasks actually gain knowledge as to what those professions had to do and thereby be able to translate those skills and challenges to modern urban challenges?