But, let me defend the liberal seminaries only in that they originally located where they did before those became high price zones. They were founded so as to make it easier for students to reach them. But, I can remember talking to older clergy who remembered when the bishops would give significant (or sometimes total) support to those whom they sent to seminary.

Yes, Christianity in America has lost much. We want Master’s degree (Ph.D. preferred) clergy, but then want them to work for low wages, and complain bitterly should they say something. We want academic excellence, but complain about spiritual poverty. We want dynamic and inspiring sermons, provided we do not need to follow through. We want 24/7 service, as long as no member is required to make a commitment longer than one hour a week. We want a respected community leader who cares for the poor, as long as they do not actually attend our church.

I suspect that if Jesus were to come back, he would begin many of his sentences addressed to America with “Woe to you. . .”

I had a friend who, for nearly a decade (in the 1980s), turned away the phone calls from his student loans (at Harvard) by reminding them he was a priest in charge of a very poor parish. I don’t know what happened in that situation, although he is still a priest. One wonders that *any* minister of any denomination can pay it off.

When I graduate I will go full time into the mission field-have no idea how I’m going to raise funds for that while paying off student loans…