Deep and Wide: a Twenty-four Year Seminary Professor Attempts to Build a Bridge Between the Church and the Academy

24 year seminary professor returns to pastorate and discovers difficulty of applying theory to practice. Dr. Salter explores the gap between theoretical preparation for ministry and its practical implementation. Lack of communication between the Academy and the Church often leads to disillusionment by the practitioner. The intellectual culture of the Seminary and the sociological culture of the Church results in a frustrating tension for the newly minted pastor. The author explores ways in which this tension can be remedied through dialogue, evaluation of curriculum, and creative ways in which the Academy and the Church can best serve one another. Especially helpful are realistic appraisals of missional outreach, spiritual formation, and the emergent church. The author is optimistic that both the Church and the Academy can work more harmoniously together in order to prepare effective, Christian leadership for the 21st century.