Counting the cost of a calling

Peter Hutchinson argues theological education is not just a cost – it is an investment in calling, formation and service

Student finance is back in the headlines – and once again the question is being asked in the bluntest possible terms: is a university degree really worth it?

Recent coverage has not pulled its punch. The BBC reported that “A third of people say uni degree not worth it, as student loan inquiry begins,” while the Daily Mail asked, “Is university a waste of money?” Such headlines may grab attention, but they risk flattening a serious issue into a simple yes-or-no verdict.

There are real concerns here. Changes to student loan repayments and interest rates matter. They affect families, influence decisions and can make prospective students hesitate. But to reduce higher education to a price tag is to miss something vital.

Higher education still has a crucial role to play – for individual students, for the church and for the nation. It trains people to a recognised level, opens doors into professions, stretches minds and helps students pursue subjects that stir their gifts, curiosity and sense of purpose.

For Christians, this should resonate deeply. We understand calling – that God-given nudge towards a life of purpose. We know that education is not simply about salary, status or earning potential. It can be about preparation, obedience and formation.

Regents Theological College, Elim’s national training centre, exists to help students fulfil the calling God has placed on their lives. That calling may lead into church ministry, mission, education, chaplaincy, community work or any number of settings where thoughtful, Spirit-filled Christian leaders are needed.

But formation takes time. Students need space to discover what they believe and why. They need room to wrestle with Scripture, ideas, culture and vocation. They need to learn to “delight in the law of the Lord” and to live in the confidence of Philippians 4:13: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Theology is not a narrow subject. As Professor Simon Oliver has put it, theology says “something about absolutely everything.” It shapes how we understand truth, reality, people, society and God’s world.

That is why it is so misleading to lump theology – or any degree – into a sweeping “not worth it” campaign. Theology broadens skill. It is interdisciplinary, engaging with politics, law, culture, finance, ethics and the everyday questions that shape our lives.

Students of theology learn to discern, think carefully, communicate clearly and make a case with grace and conviction. They become capable, well-rounded and articulate – qualities that serve them far beyond the classroom.

Of course, the money matters. Regents’ current fees are £8,345 per year for undergraduates and £9,030 for the full postgraduate degree. That is a serious commitment, but we believe it is both worthwhile and affordable. It is part of investing in the calling on a student’s life.

Regents is not here to make a profit. We exist to help people of all ages study Scripture more deeply, grow in faith and prepare for the future God is leading them into. Yes, our courses are academic – that is the nature of higher education – but our focus is applied theology. That means learning which is practical, relevant and rooted in real life.

We are a learning, listening, spiritual community. We move forward together in discipleship. We listen to God and to one another. We pray, worship and grow as the body of Christ.

The books still have to balance, and fees inevitably rise to meet real costs. But we will do all we can to ensure that the fear of debt does not drown out the call of God.

If the wider student finance system needs review, we welcome that conversation. But we will not allow polemic headlines to steer students away from the path God has placed before them.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.