Originally posted by Rhetorician:
A young unnamed brother just sent me a PM and asked why one needs 8 years of education just to pastor a church anyway?
First, let’s differentiate between education and learning. Education is the means unto the end, learning. The person can spend eight years learning from others in an organized program what he needs to pastor or he can spend twenty-five years of diligent daily study in the pastorate with the attending misstates to learn what he needs.
Second, there is a strain of minimalism that I seem to detect. What is the least that I can do and qualify? This, IMHO, is wrongheaded thinking! Learning and education does not end with graduation from seminary. It is lifelong learning for the good pastor; the pastor’s education never ends.
Why should we offer God our minimum and expect Him to be pleased? Our passion ought to be the maximum that we can learn and achieve for the glory of God.
With the costs of school being what they are?
Things in life are usually worthy no more than what they cost. There are no bargains. There is cost of time, effort and study as well as money. IMHO, money is the smallest and least important of the considerations. After all, we probably spend much more money on frivolous, consumable things that don’t last and benefit as much as a good education.
With ones own family circumstances not being conducive to going to a seminary and studying full time?
Life is never easy. There are always obstacles, even more so in the pastorate. In other words, if the circumstantial demands of attending seminary are too great for a person, then the unceasing demands of the pastoral ministry are going to be far greater.
"Just to pastor;" the price seems a bit much, does it not?
This statements smacks of a small view of the pastorate. If the medical doctor holds great responsibility for physical life, how much greater is the care of souls? Being a pastor comes with a high price tag as many on this board can attest. There are no cut-rate pastorates. The price to pay is enormous.
Now all of you know what and how I feel!!! He needs your responses and input.
My suggestion is that the person goes back and counts the cost of being a pastor. If the cost is greater than he is willing to pay, then he ought not attempt to become a pastor. The pastorate is not just a romantic ideal of doing good and enjoying an affable profession. It is a calling, a passion, a consuming interest and a life-motivating force. Not everyone should be a pastor. Some should not even try to become one.
Help the young guy out--but do it in love!!
sdg!
rd
