Seminarys do a good job in teaching the many academic disciplines needed to help prepare the next generation of church leaders. Things like history, languages, Biblical studies, homiletics, counseling and Christian education courses help shape the minds of future pastors and church staffers.
There is a missing piece of the puzzle. After some 25 years of pastoral ministry, I would suggest that what is lacking in preparation is some attention to the practical, creative skills that can come in handy in ministry. It seems to me that in the ideal world, a course that exposes future church leaders to creative Christian ministries is needed. Students need hands-on exprience in disciplines such as gospel magic, clowning, storytelling, puppetry, ventriloquism, balloon twisting, pantomime, or other tools to communicate the gospel in a unique and interesting manner. When you combine solid academic preparation with experiential learning and creative ministries, you have ministry that is effective and interesting.
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