When Newton, Mass. artist Paula Rendino needed fresh inspiration last year (2008), she sought her muse in an unlikely place: seminary.

Art school would have been "too boring," Rendino explained. She yearned to bring fresh depth to her work by pondering spiritual themes. Now she does exactly that alongside dozens of ministers-in-training at Andover Newton Theological School.

"In seminary, you're looking at philosophy, ethics or poetry and taking the time to really think about something," Rendino said. "That's so important because we live in a time where everything is fast, people write in short sentences. (They) don't take the time to think about things."

As theological schools cope with intense financial stress, they're getting a much-needed boost from unconventional students such as Rendino....

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Filed under: * Culture-Watch • Religion & Culture • * Economics, Politics • Economy • The Credit Freeze Crisis of Fall 2008/The Recession of 2007-- • * Theology • Seminary / Theological Education

1. Ralph wrote: Gotta wonder what this would do to the process of group spiritual formation that’s so essential to preparing folks for ordained ministry. There’s more to seminary than taking classes and writing papers. A bit off topic, but also somewhat related…I wonder what’s happened with James McGreevey, the former governor of NJ who entered GTS a couple of years ago. I gather that he’s been on a non-degree track, though some sources say he’s working on an MDiv. December 17, 5:06 pm | [comment link]

2. Br_er Rabbit wrote: “Our big push is recruiting folks who want to be social entrepreneurs and advocate for social change,” Well, based on the new theology of certain denominations, the seminaries are starting to get good at that. December 17, 6:03 pm | [comment link]

3. jhnhwrtr wrote: teste - new email address December 17, 8:39 pm | [comment link]

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