“God sometimes leads us where we aren't expecting to go,” says Kerry Rice as he encourages individuals to attend one of Louisville Seminary’s Exploratory Weekends. “If you’re discerning a call to ministry, including discerning a call to ordained or professional ministry, a ministry of counseling, or a ministry of education, it’s important to visit the place that will become your community for the next three or more years.”

Rice, who is the director of admissions at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, counsels all his explorers to come with openness to God’s spirit.

The Admissions Office is now accepting reservations for its Fall Exploratory Weekend, October 6 and 7, 2006.

Exploratory Weekends are also for those who have already discerned a call to ministry, but are looking for the right seminary to help equip themselves for ministry.

“At events such as these, explorers can join with others going through the same process - they can share experiences and learn from others' journeys. It’s a busy but compact and efficient way of getting to know a particular seminary fairly quickly - you get a sense of the community and the ethos of the institution,” added Rice.

Louisville Seminary holds Exploratory Weekends twice each year, and they can involve 25 to 50 participants from across the nation. Explorers engage in workshops and presentations that address discerning the call to ministry, financing a seminary education, preparing for seminary, charting an academic plan, ministry as a second vocation, dual degrees, caring for families while in seminary, going directly from college to seminary, and women in ministry.

Nothing can take the place of personally experiencing the unique community of Louisville Seminary. Prospective students and their family and friends attend classes and worship, enjoy informal conversation with faculty and students, meet with administrators and staff, tour the campus including our seminary housing, and explore metropolitan Louisville.

Weekend activities begin at 7:30 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on Friday and end with a community event on Saturday evening. This year the Saturday evening event will involve a Louisville excursion. Guests are welcome to stay through Sunday morning and join local congregations for worship. Registration fees are modest, ranging from $10 to $20 depending on the number of guests, and travel assistance for first time participants is available, up to $100.

Individuals who cannot participate in one of the Exploratory Weekends may schedule an individual visit with similar travel assistance available. Guests stay on campus in the Laws Lodge Retreat and Conference Center.

Special arrangements are available for groups, and Louisville Seminary will reimburse gas expense up to $200 when three or more prospective students are accompanied by a group sponsor.

Exploratory Weekends are scheduled two times each year, March and October. Individuals who would like to explore the Louisville Seminary experience may register online or contact the Office of Admissions at 800.264.1839 or by email: admissions@lpts.edu.