Should I take a year off to volunteer before going to seminary?

Many forward thinking, justice-minded people ask this question as they begin considering seminary for their future. The benefits of volunteering are many: There are benefits to the less fortunate who depend on the generosity of individuals and of charitable agencies. There are benefits to society when people are clothed, fed, housed, educated, and given medical care. And, of course, there are benefits to the volunteer … benefits that are not often realized going in. And, when a person gets to seminary with a year of volunteering under his or her belt, the practical applications of theology become much more alive and present.

On the other hand, there are certainly benefits to taking some theological education into the world of service. Scriptural, pastoral, and theological knowledge can provide deep insight for a person’s career as a volunteer, deepening a person’s faith, challenging their mind, expanding their heart, and energizing them for mission.

At PLTS, we honor both of those callings and make it easy for to you accomplish both. If you begin a degree program at PLTS and take a year off to volunteer, you can return to your degree program a year later without penalty and without loss of credits.

Your future, your calling, and your options are unique to you. Be in touch with one of our Admissions Counselors to begin a conversation on discerning what will work best for you.