Minimum Education

I agree completely!

 

Rhet, I wholeheartedly agree. Completing an education speaks volumes about a person's ability to make a commitment and follw through, not to mention a person's desire to equip himself for the task God puts before him.

Of course, I have no authority to require that of all others as a matter of scriptural doctrine. So it's strictly my opinion and preference.

 

Hi Rhet,

Obviously, since we are congregationalists, there is no hierarchy which can impose a minimal level of training. Consequently, and you imply as much, such is left to individual congregations.

Many Baptist congregations set the MDiv as the minimum training. I don't think this is wise (and you know how much I esteem a good education!. One can achieve an MDiv and remain deficient in understanding the Scriptures and how they apply to individuals' lives. Also, an older man recently graduated with a BA in Bible may be better trained than some of our younger MDiv grads.

While a part of me would love to see some sort of across-the-board minimum level of education, I wonder if the cure may be worse than the illness.

Bill

 

Rhet, I disagree with an approach that requires more or less than God requires. I think the standard one must meet is found in I Timothy 3:2 -

To set the requirement as to how one becomes "able to teach" rather than being "able to teach" misses the mark, in my opinion. It is a real shame, though, that many congregations lack the discernment to know whether bishops/pastors are able to teach.

 

As I have stated on the other thread; as long as the person is listening to God and doing what He says to do.

 

I find it disturbing to be compared to those other denominations. They have some very liberal views on somethings. But I see many Baptists that desire some of those same things.

 

Let's also remember that having a piece of paper on your wall is NOT egual to having an education. BTW..my understanding was that Methodists do have non seminary trained pastors as I know the PCUSA now allows non seminary trained pastors.

There are 2 extremes to avoid. One is to disdain Seminary education (Something all too common with Baptists in the past) and the other to make it mandantory which as rlvaughn shows, goes beyound scripture and seems to be a professionalizing the ministry. To make it a requirement is adding a requirement Scripture itself does not require. Education is not something done in 3-5 years but takes a life time.

 

Though I have an education, and am continuing to further my education, I find it ammusing that we would base a persons ability to be an effective minister on the time he has spent in books. I hope we would base it on the call of God and the time he has spent in THE BOOK! For some reason Spurgeon and Moody come to mind.

Max

 

Kiffen:

"professionalizing the ministry" This is the trend I see. Well said.

 

I think this statement combinded with the name he chose for himself is probably all I need to know about Rhetorician.

 

No offense taken. I actually agree with you. However, I felt it necessary to at least point out the exceptions.

Max

 

I think this statement combinded with the name he chose for himself is probably all I need to know about Rhetorician. </font>[/QUOTE]Ray,

I trust you're just joking.

You're new to the Board, but you'll find Rhet likes to spur thinking and not allow us to think we already know it all, a particular failing of Baptists.

Bill

 

I do not understand why would one want to base a lifetime of ministry upon a puddle of knowledge from which to draw.

Even in the business I was in I see many mistakes made because people do not understand the basics. I was paid big bucks to fix mistakes and by others because they knew I had the knowledge and experience to do the job right. That sort of thing gave me great job satisfaction. It also gave me entry to many people's live because they apppreciated what I could do for them. It gave me credibility. Once they knew theh kind of person I was I could talk with them about Christ. People who make mistakes anger their customers rather than establish trust and credibility.

Ignorance never establishes trust.

Everyday I think about how fortunate I am to have the training I have and thank God for those people who trained me. I am rewarded with the satisfaction of a job well done and financially. When I was in business I was also thanked by my customers.

 

gb93433
I know you did not mean to do this.
You just called the Bible a puddle of knowledge.
Many a pastor has only the sacred Word of God and many people around the world have came to know Salvation from what you just called a puddle of knowledge.

God forgive!

 

" quote:Originally posted by Rhetorician:

But, I will say this: when one of our unlearned Baptist pastors meets at the local ministers alliance, he sure takes a chance to have his unlearned condition exposed.

I do not understand why would one want to base a lifetime of ministry upon a puddle of knowledge from which to draw."

These same people I speak of most likely would have there unlearned condition exposed. by a bunch of snobs lording their education ove the humble servants of God who are just doing what God called them to do . Reach the lost. And they are able to do it with only their "puddle of knowledge" the less educated call God's Word.