one good piece of advice, please.

Worship God with fervency and with your life.

 

Go to seminary.

 

As much as it pains my feeble soul to say it, I agree with Joshua. Of course, knowing that we would recommend different seminaries restores life to that feeble soul of mine.

Seriously, I have been in the ministry both before and after seminary and now I look back and wonder how I ever did it.

 

Just one? Probably this: Nourish your heart by daily spending time in the Word and in prayer and nourish your head by reading the best works available theologically, Biblically, etc. The old saying is true: zeal without knowledge is fanaticism; knowledge without zeal is intellectualism; zeal and knowledge is to be had at all cost. Be a lifelong student and maintain a lifelong walk with God. Keep your heart hot and your head full. There are more, but this I would put at the top of the list.

[ April 29, 2002, 11:06 AM: Message edited by: TomVols ]

 

Amen Tom.

Philip. 1:9-10 (ESV)
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, [10] so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ

 

Since your son lives in Atlanta and serves an IFB church, he may want to look at Luther Rice Seminary(www.lrs.edu) for further training.

 

If he's IFB, he may not be comfortable at LRS.

 

I would agree with what Tom said about the heart. HOwever, I think that is good advice for any believer. I was thinking more in terms of preparation for ministry.

 

Good thought, in case others are considering this move is drinking a required course at Mercer or just an elective?

 

I hear you. But I meet so many heartless, lifeless ministers, that I have to state this. Besides, if the heart is not cultivated, the head will only be an intellectual cemetery.

 

But aren't students at LRS required to sign a confession of faith, that holds to a pre-mil, dispensational, rapturistic view of the end times?
I just mentioned LRS because if this guy is IFB he would definitely be out of place at a certain other seminary in Atlanta.

 

Ack, I agree with Larry. I better go attend a rally of some sort and recharge my liberal batteries.

A disciplined, prayerful, studious spiritual life is necessary for all believers. A rigorous seminary education is a specific necessity for clergy.

Joshua

 

BPM, this has really upset you hasn't it?

Joshua

 

But aren't students at LRS required to sign a confession of faith, that holds to a pre-mil, dispensational, rapturistic view of the end times?
</font>[/QUOTE]No. The one students must agree to upon application simply states that the person believes in a literal, personal return of Christ. Only faculty and staff must be dispy. Same is true at Liberty as well.

[ April 30, 2002, 04:48 PM: Message edited by: TomVols ]

 

Ack, I agree with Larry. I better go attend a rally of some sort and recharge my liberal batteries.

A disciplined, prayerful, studious spiritual life is necessary for all believers. A rigorous seminary education is a specific necessity for clergy.

Joshua</font>[/QUOTE]I agree. But a warm heart and scholarly mind must be the aim of every minister. If it is, seminary will have its rightful place. I'm not saying seminary isn't a must. I'm just saying it must be approached in the right way. Plus, I know many that never crack a book once they get out of seminary. That kind of intellectual laziness is not fit for ministry. That's why I say the heart must be warmed and they head must be filled continually.

Isn't it hard, BTW, to pick just ONE piece of advice? But I stand by mine if I had to pick just one.

[ April 30, 2002, 04:52 PM: Message edited by: TomVols ]

 

One piece of advice??!!

Dear Potential Preacher--stay fervently in love with Jesus!

 

[/QUOTE]BPM, this has really upset you hasn't it?

Joshua[/QB][/QUOTE]

No Joshua I don't get upset that easy, actually let me apologize for dogging you on this, I guess I am taking out my frustration on you. If you as a liberal Pastor(moderate or whatever) wish to do so then do it. I just wish my brother who is immature didn't have a drinking Pastor because of the influence he is having on him. I know several good men who attended Mercer, and hey the GBC supports it so it must be good. Ha. ha.

 

BPM,

I'm still trying to figure out why the GBC does support McAfee. We are very explicit about training women for the pastorate (which Bob White strongly opposes). We have several alumni active in the CBF and the Alliance of Baptists (but none that I know of active in the SBC). Our faculty attend churches like Oakhurst and Northside Drive (which were kicked out of the GBC). It doesn't make any sense to me.

Joshua