Seminary

A specialised university-like institution for the purpose of training candidates for positions within a religious context. This usually, though not always, applies to Christian education.

Although the primary purpose of a seminary is to prepare and equip candidates for religious service in the church, nowadays many people not intending to become involved in church leadership may study in seminaries. Qualifications may be obtained majoring in pastoral work and similar fields, as well as in the more academic disciplines. Many monks, nuns and church workers attend a seminary to enhance their qualifications. It is also quite common for lay people to study in a seminary to enhance their spiritual life, or purely to pursue an interest.

Some seminaries include:

• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
• Greensville Presbyterian Theological Seminary