6 ways to save money in seminary
Written by W. Ryan Burns · December 15, 2007
- Take it down a notch - Americans love their space. However, have you notice that the rest of the world is not so space obsessed. I am always humbled when I see images of other countries where entire families live in 1 and 2 bedroom houses. I am also reminded of how our grandparents and great grandparents used to live… 10-15 kids in a 2 or 3 bedroom house. However, many of us are now accustomed to having our own rooms… Well… maybe that needs to change. In fact, Just a Gal and I are pretty sure that in our new house Littleman and Sweetpea will be sharing a room. It feels odd since they have had their own rooms for a while now… but the rest of the world does it… so, lets save some money and downsize our space requirements.
- Live near school - Gas is EXPENSIVE. If you’re going to be traveling back and forth every day, it only makes sense to cut down on the commute. Living near the school could save up as much as $200 a month!
- Two words “Brown Bag” - That’s right. PB&J for lunch again. I know the chinese place across the street from campus has the best sesame chicken… but fight the urge. Packing a lunch could save you $300 or more a month! [Read more]
The Best Seminary
Written by W. Ryan Burns · December 10, 2007
A good number of people end up at goingtoseminary.com by searching some derivative of “best” and “seminary.” So, I figured I should take a moment and address the topic.
Actually, the real motivation for this post was a thread I read on a forum today that started something like this:
“What is the best seminary? Money isn’t a factor.”
That was it… nothing else… Just tell me which one is best.
Two days later 40 people had posted their 2 cents about this seminary and that seminary and why everyone else was wrong. It was really strange to read the responses. I tried to set up an account so that I could give some advice to the young man, but for some reason the forum didn’t like my post and it was rejected twice… so I gave up.
What I wanted to say to the young man and to all who query “best seminary” is that there isn’t a single “best” seminary. The reality is that the right seminary for me might not be the right one for you. That is why I go to great lengths at goingtoseminary.com to not reveal what seminary I am attending. I think that each of you need to do the hard work of asking yourself what it is that you are wanting to get out of your seminary experience and then find the seminary that best meets that need.
For example, if you really want to study and learn about urban church planting… then you probably don’t want to attend a seminary that is out in the woods somewhere and has no classes on church planting. Make sense?
To find “the best seminary” takes time, energy, and effort. It requires you to examine your own heart. It requires prayer. It requires getting council. It requires talking with professors and visiting campuses. It takes work…
So, what is the best seminary? You tell me…
Health Insurance for seminary
Written by W. Ryan Burns · November 19, 2007
Ok, health insurance is a pain in the neck. It is expensive and if you’re not on a company plan it is even more expensive. So, what are you to do?
Well, first thing is to try and land a job that actually provides health insurance. Trick with that one is that most part time gigs don’t offer it. Some do, but most don’t. Then, you need to be careful because those who do offer it, often offer crappy insurance… they get you with “we offer insurance to all employees.” Then you get the policy and realize how crappy it is when you have to jump through every hoop known to man in order to set up a doctors visit.
So, if anyone knows a company that has a good insurance for part-timers, please share the love.
So, assuming you don’t get insurance through your job, what are your options.
Well, I think all seminaries offer some sort of insurance, however, much like the the part time jobs it is often not that great. In fact, my admissions officer was kind enough to answer my question, “does ____ offer health insurance to students?” with brutal honesty. “Yes… but it isn’t very good. You’d probably be better off going with someone else.”
Well, you’re basically left with only a few options. You can contact an insurance sales person. If you go this route, check with your seminary as they might have a connect to a trustworthy representative. However, don’t be lazy. Check with a couple other companies than the one that you’re seminary pointed you to.
A final option that I’ve found helpful is eHealthInsurance
. This site compares a bunch of different plans and prices.
At this point Just a Gal and I haven’t decided on what we’re going to go with. I need to contact a local rep in _____. But eHealthInsurance
Anyone else want to share their insurance wisdom or experience?
Places to find a job while attending seminary
Written by W. Ryan Burns · November 18, 2007
Ok, here is another list that might help. Here are some sites that might help you find a job while you’re in seminary (no particular order other than this is how they came to my mind):
- First, check with your seminary. Lots of them have job resources for you (often in local churches). Some also offer work study… which has ups and downs… but it is an options none the less.
- Snag a Job (Good for hourly / part time gigs)
- Craig’s List (be sure to change to view jobs in your area)
- Monster
- Indeed
- Career Builder
- Church Jobs
- Church Staffing
- Guru (Good site if you want to be a freelancer… I use this as a web development freelancer, but they have lots of other niche freelance categories. Oh, and you’ll need to drop cash to get an account, but I made about $2k this year through guru gigs.)
- Hot Jobs
Any other suggestions for good job sites?
Got a question? Consult your flowchart.
Written by W. Ryan Burns · November 5, 2007
So, I came across this chart today on Gospel Resurgence this afternoon and thought you’d get a kick out of it. As I read through it I actually laughed out loud as I thought of all the people this would help (mostly the people who talk too much in class because they like to hear themselves talk).
My favorites are “Is your comment an attempt to teach the professor something you think he doesn’t know?” and “Is you comment likely to elicit an Amen?”
These are so funny (and probably helpful). When I first read it I just thought it was a joke… However, after reading the comments in the post I wasn’t sure… someone took it really seriously and had a long comment about it.
Either way, it made me laugh. So, here it is for your enjoyment.
Going to seminary - a professors perspective
Written by W. Ryan Burns · October 28, 2007
Professor, pastor, and theologian, Dr. John Frame wrote a pamphlet called, “Learning at the feet of Jesus: A Case for Seminary Training.” This is a quick and easy read that will, hopefully, help you in your decision making process.
Here is an excerpt from the opening page:
LEARNING AT JESUS’ FEET:
A CASE FOR SEMINARY TRAINING
At some point in their walk with Jesus, many Christians ask whether they should attend seminary — either to earn a degree or just to take a few courses. I’ve been teaching in seminaries for thirty-five years, and I’ve done some thinking about this question. In this pamphlet, I’ll encourage you to go to seminary if you can, and I’ll try to help those who are seeking guidance for this important decision.I want to thank the good people at Reformed Theological Seminary for making this available, free of charge, on their website.
Work and studies
Written by W. Ryan Burns · October 27, 2007
So, I haven’t actually started seminary yet, so for me this is an area that I’m giving a lot of consideration. I really haven’t figured out how everyone in seminary pulls this one off. I mean, you need to work to pay the bills but working means you’re not studying which means you’re doing bad in class… which seems like a bad trade off… So, you decrease your work hours, but the power company doesn’t care and they still send you your bills. So, what are you to do?
I guess the best solution is to find a job that allows you to make lots of money for minimal hours invested. Uh… yeah… anyone know where I can find one of those?
As for me, my wife and I crunched the numbers and it looks really tight. Thankfully, I am a web developer, so I have a job that is flexible and pays well for hours invested. The problem is that it is typically feast or famine in the work category. So, it is a little nerve racking.
In the end, we simply decided that, even though the excel spreadsheet says that money will be tight… we just need to trust that we are hearing and obeying God’s call and that He will care and provide for us as he is always done.
Anyone got some insight on how to balance the work/school issue? Please drop some wisdom for us newbies.
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