New church and new Pastor

Yes, it would. If he is offended by your asking, I would keep looking for a Church. Just my opinion.

Joseph Botwinick

 

First, where you choose to go to Church is between you and God. However, I would say that there is nothing wrong with you asking that question.
Also, it is much more important that he still studies than if/where he went to College.
I know of pastors who went to liberal colleges but didn't quit when they got out and are great preachers today..others that went to good schools and haven't studies since and it shows.

I know yet others that never did go at all but are very good....I know some that never went and are VERY ignorant, and usally very arrogant too.

 

Grub,

no one will ever be what your former pastor was. It will be hard Im sure, but as you said, try not to judge your prospective new pastor based on your former pastor. No man will ever measure up in your eyes.

Seminary training and/or a degree cannot ensure that he will be a good pastor, either.

It could be that you can offer this new church something that it needs.....an extra hand in a ministry, or perhaps the start of a brand new ministry.

I hope all goes well for you.

 

I believe that should be way down on your list of questions for the pastor. You have the right to know if it it imposrtant to you, however some of the greatest men of God that I have ever met, have never stepped foot in a Bible College. I think you already have a step up because your potential pastor is working a job in the "real" world which will help him to know what his flock are really facing living the day-to-day christian life in the workplace. I have noticed that some "Christian school, Christian College educated, straight to full time service in a church, straight to pastor young men" that have a very hard time relating to what we are facing out in the world.
My suggestion is to make sure he believes what you believe, has bible to back it up but most importantly to me, has a "PASTOR'S HEART" and compassion for his people.

And most of all. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! take it from someone who has made the decision to join a church for Educated logical decisions instead of following my heart and listening to GOD

 

If the pastors presentation of the word is solid, and his personal presentation to you is genuine and you sense this is where the Lord would have you then size and education will not matter that much. Consider: the preacher may have been praying for you and that you may be God's answer to the pastors prayer.

 

You will find that out as you listen to him speak. Some pastors who have never been to seminary but have spent a lot of time in ministry and study are excellent because they have had very good training and mentoring.

I would rather be in ministry with a pastor who has never been to seminary, but knows God, than a seminary trained pastor who only knows about God and what he has been told and then repeats on Sunday.

 

Boy now that's a foreign concept these days

 

Talk to your former pastor. He should be able to shed some light on the other fellow.

 

This evidently makes a difference to you, so I would ask, for this will then give you an excuse to find a real Baptist church that has a Pastor with the Seminary background.

On the other hand, you may think God can't use this man to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ like He did Timothy and Titus. Of course they were taught by a great teacher, Paul. Paul was taught by Christ Jesus from heaven. Paul probably didn't give them a "certificate" to show the world they were capable of preaching the Word, but the people believed them for they presented the Body of Christ Church.

Also consider Peter, James, John and the rest. Yes they also had a great teacher, but we know by scripture they didn't really understand. But without scholarship, or formal training, they had the Holy Ghost, and they preached that gospel of "the kingdom was at hand", and will come.

Listen to this man to see what He says. If he believes he is saved, and was saved by "believing on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for his salvation", then he is saved, and will preach that message. The Holy Spirit is the best help we can get. He is qualified if these things are true, for he believes what Paul teaches, and Paul only taught what Christ from Heaven revealed to Him. Galatians 1:11-12, "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ."

I would listen and observe, for it won't make any difference of which church you belong as they can't save you, or keep you saved. It is like our "work". We are miserable if we don't like it, but happy if we do. You are looking for another church, so maybe this one will make you happy in the Lord.

Christian faith, ituttut

 

why a pastor?

Why not just ask, "how did you ever decide to become a pastor?"
If he doesnt tell you he had such a fire in his bones that he was miserable trying to do anything else, and felt compelled to preach, then anything else he says is of little importance, seminary or not!!

 

While I feel schooling and training are important, what is preached is more important. A man could attend the finest seminaries but still preach awry.

I have seen several untaught men accurately divide the word of God, and I have seen many learned men do the same. The bottom line is that a man preach what the scriptures say, and that he does so in a manner that can be understood. No one can be edified if what is brought forth makes no sense.

One problem I have seen among those who have not attended seminary is that they tend to get distracted in preaching. Many ride their own little hobbyhorse, veering off on their pet peeves a lot of the time. And many have no idea of how to lay out a sermon so that it has a beginning, a middle and an end, much less make parts of it applicable to day-to-day life (points in a sermon)... most just "rear back and ler 'er go" without much preperation (study, yes; preperation, no).

Take it to God. Make it a priority in your prayer life, and let Him lead.

 

Absolutely. How can he be a pastor without the proper training? Also, why would you want to follow someone in something as important as religion who has no training? Apparently, anyone can set up shop and call themselves a pastor.

Also, he may seem nice now, but what do you really know about him? After several thousand dollars of tithing, he could leave town with the church's money.

 

I guess the real answer to that is "What is the proper training" He may have went to a seminary and been a terrible student or wasn't really sold out completely to his Call until after he graduated . Should he then go back to seminary and get another degree?
I would much rather have a pastor who has studied the Bible and possibly under His Pastor than one who has educated the holy spirit out of his messages which seems so prevalent now days. Nowhere in the Bible can you find backing for the pastor to have this type of training...only that he is not a novice...and scriptures says "study to show thyself approved"
Now after saying all of that, It is not a negative if the pastor has a bible college background but I also believe that is not a negative if he does not have one....each individual pastor is different.... My uncle has pastored a church of over 300 in attendance for over 39 years and he doesn't even have a High school education ....How has he done that? by loving people first and foremost and by studying The Word and Praying....Probably the 3 biggest pluses that I could want of a pastor.

 

This brings up another aspect of looking for a new church home. It's not just about the pastor; it's about the polity and practice of that church. Is it organized in such a way that it is truly the people who are responsible for their life and its management? Are there adequate financial controls? And, most of all, is there a compelling vision of what it is to be church that is "owned" by the people, not just a slogan somewhere or a gleam in the pastor's eye? It will take some time and some delving to find out those things.