Pastors and degrees

I would not make it a requirement.

Nevertheless, whatever you study, do it well.

Dave

 

No - (to should).

 

2Ti 2:15 (KJV )"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The unfortunate Pastor who took scripture out of context through ignorance is testament that one should be trained for the pulpit. While a formal degree is not always necessary, studying is very important if one is to truly and correctly present His word.

 

By the way the for those who are unable to attend school at this time (Or maybe you have already but would like to just continue to study and expand your mind ) there is the Founders Study Center http://study.founders.org/about.html

It is a online ministerial training center created by the Founder's Conferance. If you are seeking a college or seminary, this is probably not for you. It seems to be oriented for Pastors or Preachers who are unable to attend a Seminary at this time. It is very inexpensive ($25 one time fee and each course is between $50 to $75 ).

 

BTW I just received my diploma from Golden Gate Theolgical Seminary in the mail (couldn't attend the graduation because of the move to Texas)today all pretty and purple with fancy letters, it felt great just opening the envelope! I wouldn't trade my time spent driving every week to class 180 miles round trip for the previous two years for anything! It has helped my preaching, learning and teaching so much. That is the value, more so then that which is hung on the wall in your office. It opens doors previously closed and like it or not people like to know that you have done whatever you could to prepare yourself for that which God has called you to.

 

Actually this discussion is centered on having the education before entering the ministry, not after. As such it is not insulting to those you describe. - Not meaning to appear unfeeling, but perhaps if these had received some formal training, they would be better equipped to build the church to a point where it could suppport them better.

I know all too well that this is not always the way it happens, just because a person has training/education does not mean the church will grow. God has His own reasons for why some churches stay small in attendance, although sometimes it is our own doing not His. [I got the Bible College B.A. from a real Bible college, one of the best and largest in the land, and 20 years later got a masters in Christian Education from a prestigious seminary. - Still I have been serving in the smaller churches. I would love to be in a larger church, and/or teach in a Bible College, but for whatever reason this has not yet happened.]

 

Jim1999 said that this is a much more complex world than it was in the 1940's, and he is correct. (Can one be extremely correct? If so, then he is extremely correct.)
I have occasionally heard an older Pastor who started in the 40's or 50's tell about how he started preaching at age 16 with just an old Bible and he did pretty good.
This puts ideas into the heads of some of our more impetuous young preachers-to-be that if Bro. XXXXX did it, so can I. We have one young man about 30-ish who claims to be called to preach and has this attitude, and is almost un-teachable in any manner.

 

I have heard many a theological faux-pas made by a young preacher that could have been avoided with a minimal theological training. [I have heard some made by some of us with enough training that we should have known better, too. ] I would encourage anyone working in God's Kingdom to get the education that will help them proclaim the truth without error.

 

Man, do I feel like I don't belong.

I was saved at age 22, and accepted the call to the ministry at 27 (did not surrender to the call until age 32-33 ). I have a family, a job, house payment, etc. I am not able to drop everything to run off and attend seminary or Bible college (and I WILL NOT just quit my job and put the burden of supporting MY family on my wife...men who do so are not worthy to be called men, much less men of God).

I am taking correspondance courses (lecture on tape) from a seminary (of which has been called a degree mill on this Board, which I highly disagree with...if you haven't taken the courses, you cannot judge the content). I am also a voracious reader, but not of just anything. I am working on building my own library, and am careful as to the selection of what goes into it. The vast majority of what I read consists of books on theology, inductive study, expository preaching, Biblical counseling, pastoral duties, etc.

I am no Spurgeon, and I doubt I will ever have any initials after my name, but I do know that God has gifted me with a very keen mind and a desire to know Him better so that I can proclaim the truth of His word aright.

Does that make me unqualified for the role of pastor? I do not hold a degree. I have not attended seminary. But I know the Lord, and I want to know His word. I have His calling in my heart. I am training my mind as best I can with what opportunity I have.

I don't know. Many churches would have nothing to do with me because I do not have a degree. But, for the churches that do, they will find a man that will go to the greatest lengths to be sure that the message that is brought before them is the very word of God, and not some slapped-together bundle of opinion and ignorance.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

As was mentioned before the discussion started talking about those BEFORE wife, kids, etc. But since you brought it up.

There are many ways to "attend" class without going somewhere. What you have started to do is fine, stick to it. Beware however of dipolma mills they are out there for sure! The internet is quickly becoming a place for classes without having to leave home, in this case technology is your friend.

 

Double post.

 

We've got 2 pastors.
Our head pastor (is that good English?) has a PH.D in pastoral theology from the university of Leiden*. He didn't start out that way, he decided he needed a degree after years of pastoring our parish.
Our number 2 is in the position of Trotter more or less. he has also started working towards a degree. leiden doesn't offer theology anymore. And nobody dares enter my Alma Mater after they saw how I came back (not that Erasmus university offers theology courses). So, the university of Kampen it is.
If he turns into a baby sprinkeling Calvinist overthere I'm going to put salt in his coffee untill he repents.


*For those not aware of college education in the netherlands, Leiden is the Dutch Oxford/Harvard.

 

Actually that is not correct. The opening question of the thread was

The Question was not centered on the time but should they have a degree.

Actually I know Pastors with Seminary degrees who are in the same situation. Just because they are pastoring a small struggling church does not mean they are not successful in what they are doing. The Lord does not judge ministers by the numbers we have. I have also known some men with no formal education see their churches explode in growth.

The building up of the Church is the responsibilty of thec entire congregation and not just the Pastor. The Seminary education I received was invaluable to me but Seminary cannot and will never be able to train you for some of the things you face in the pastorate.

On this I agree with you. I wish older pastors would not tell young preachers that but would encourage them to attend school (if possible).

 

You are certaintly not unqualified. Those who would say differantly are doing so without Biblical warrant. Continue to serve the Lord in His vineyard and continue to study. Studying lasts a life time.

 

If you think this is an issue among Baptists, you should check out the Pentecostals. Remember Jimmy Swaggart? Not even a high school diploma. Many look at him (or they used to) and say, "Well, like Brother Jimmy, I have the Holy Ghost ... the mighty anointing ... and that's all I need."

One Charismatic leader told me, "I don't need a degree to pray for the sick and cast out devils."

Yet, some of these same type of leaders will accept a phony doctorate or an honorary doctorate and then call themselves, "Dr." Who comes to mind?

Roscoe

 

The Apostles didn't.

 

Some have degrees and no temperature.
Some have a lot of temperature and no degrees.
But it is best to have degrees and a lot of temperature.

Or differently put:

Some have a lot of knowledge and no zeal.
Some have a lot of zeal with little or no knowledge.
But it is best if you have a lot of knowledge and a lot of zeal.

 

The Apostles didn't. </font>[/QUOTE]Paul studied under the best teacher at the time. He was well educated. Just read the Greek he writes.

 

[/qb][/QUOTE]Paul studied under the best teacher at the time. He was well educated. Just read the Greek he writes. [/QB][/QUOTE]

And that is not why God used him. God used Peter and he was a fisherman.

 

"God may not always call the qualified, but He will always qualify the called"

I surrendered to the ministry at the age of 36 with a degree in the computer field. No formal Bible training and a strong desire to serve Him in any way He chose to use me.

I now serve as the pastoral intern under a staff with a pastor of over 54 years experience and another with over 30. I am also studying via material from Seminary Extension. There is not much opportunity with my work and church duties along with the demands of a family that I can do seminary classes in the traditional sense. The piece of paper is nice, but in my humble opinion, not a requirement.