What are some things (pre-college) that I can do to prepare for a major in Theology and Religious Education?

Question

My guidance counselor gave me a website to research careers but there is absolutely nothing on this site about Theology, Religion or anything like that. I've also looked on the Mount Mary College website (that's where I want to go) but they don't give a lot of information. Is there any specific thing (volunteer, leadership workshop, classes in highschool that helped you, etc.) I can do to prepare myself for this major?

FYI--I'm not catholic

Answer 1

I had once considered becoming a pastor so I could eventually become a chaplain. I know you need to start early if you want to get into the field of Divinity, Theology, Seminary Teaching and Education, and Ministry. Things to prepare for if you're still in high school. get yourself into as much community activity as possible. If you go to church, keep going, get involved with as much of the church as possible, public functions, basically, get yourself known to everybody.

Volunteer at varying places, soup kitchens, day care centers, synagogues even, nursing homes, etc. All of this, may seem fruitless, expect nothing, but, always have faith because out of all this, in the right time, in the right place, you will be rewarded tenfold for all you commit yourself to.

it depends on what you study, some subjects overlap each other, and may cover pastoral care, pastoral teaching, bible reading, even evolution. This is just a taaste of what this is about. In these schools, you will also learn about other religions, how religions work and their procedures for worship. Then, whatever you take to after that, you can specialize.

In essence, get yourself involved, even if you have difficulty getting out of your comfort zone, if you want to stand with thee, you'll need to take the first steps in order to get to Him. It won't be easy, but, in the end your reward will be unprecedented.


Best of luck to you.
J.F.

Answer 2

I'm going to assume you're Catholic... if you aren't, I am soooo sorry for jumping to conclusions.

Something that might be the most use to you is to sit in on Adult Education sessions at your church. Find out who directs RCIA and ask him or her if you could sit in on the sessions. This will be a good refresher in your "basic theology" norms. Inquiry, Take Another Look, and adult Confirmation programs might also be useful, depending on your schedule.

Get familiar - again - with the Bible. Even if you don't read it cover to cover, get a study edition and read the introductory notes at the beginning of each book. You'll most certainly have to read St. Augustine, so reading "Confessions" might be a good started.

Another thing to do is email the Chair of the department at the college you are looking at and ask his or her opinion. If nothing else, you should be able to get ahold of the degree requirements and course descriptions.

On the academic side of things, your skills in writing, philosophy, and logic are going to come in very handy. Rational thinking and clear expression are going to be very important in a theology degree. Maybe some of your current teachers could help you out on that front.

Good luck to you! Don't hesitate to post more questions - there are some knowledgeable people on this site.

Answer 3

Well, I'm assuming that if you are planning on Mt. Saint Mary, that you're a Catholic. What you might want to do is to get in touch with the DRE Director of Religious Education at your local parish, and see if they might have room for you to work, perhaps as an intern. Getting involved with programs in your area will give you good insight into what might be available to you after you graduate.

You can always help out in religious education classes and working on teams on retreats. This sort of thing will give you an idea of what you might do with a degree in religious education.

Work with your parish ministries; there should be a number of them around. Perhaps you can join the music ministry to see how music helps to enhance worship. You can take that experience into youth ministry or retreats.

Talk to your pastor or DRE and see how you can get involved.

If you attend a Catholic High School, there may be even more opportunities.

--Dee

Answer 4

It sounds like you need to go to a library and 'be at one' with the books there. I have found that the books on the Religions of the World are great sources for beginning in understanding the many views on other religions. That will help you to familliarize yourself with them, so that you can already have a basic understanding of what they believe. I have done some of that on my own, not having a college education.

Also, visiting their places that are available to you will give you great insight, like a Muslim mosque (if they allow women to learn and read :o ) .

Answer 5

What on earth do you want to study theology and religion at college for? Waste of a good degree. Choose a subject that is actually going to be of some practical use in the real world and leave theology and religion as past-times to be done at ones own leisure.

Answer 6

you may learn religions frequently at maximum faculties. Theology isn't comparable to faith. Theology is to faith as flour is to bread. all of the twelve colleges with the aid of which i've got been recruited furnish non secular examine as a significant. you additionally can visit a non secular college, yet that would not sound like your style of element.

Answer 7

Learn the faith thoroughly before you enroll, because virtually all institutions of higher learning (especially Catholic ones) have a good number of false teachers and heretics on staff, who will not only teach falsely but also make you answer falsely, in order to make your grades.

Anyone who is not very strong and well informed in the faith would be better off going to a secular university.

Answer 8

yeh you could ask at your Church (assuming your Christian). Other than that I don't know much. For a start I'm english and am not entirely sure what a major is. but there are plenty of Bible Colleges and if you pray about it God will help.

Answer 9

I think volunteering at Church helps. A lot of Sunday schools offer volunteer positions. Good luck.

Answer 10

well this is assuming your catholic first and formost, the best way to prep for theology in college, is to know your theologians, and know the bible well. read up on the summa theologica, Augustines works, and francis de sales work.