Why every pastor needs to go to seminary.

If you're a pastor or ministry leader - God is calling you... back to school?

First of all - thank you for the work that you are doing. Serving Jesus' church is one of the highest callings you could have stepped into. If you are just starting your ministry journey, I can promise you this: you will be overworked, underpaid, and you will experience burnout - all at the same time. I can also promise you this: there is no greater purpose than living in Jesus' will for your life.

My hope and sincere desire is to help you maximize your purpose and to be the most effective minister that you can be.

There is one way to surefire way to increase your effectiveness in ministry: go to seminary.

Seminary is preparation for your purpose.

“Jesus spent 30 years in preparation for a ministry that lasted for a total of 3 years.”

Most seminary programs last between 2-4 years. That's a 3-year average. Jesus spent 30 years in preparation for a ministry that lasted for a total of 3 years. One of the ways Jesus prepared for his calling was by studying scripture in a formal setting (in the temple, with the teachers of the law. You're a pastor, you know the story.) A lot of pastors, especially young ministers, want to jump right in! They're confident that they're qualified. Being a popular communicator is not a qualification for pastoral ministry. Even being liked and able to rally together a group of followers is not a qualification for pastoral ministry. Furthermore, just knowing Bible stories is not a qualification for pastoral ministry - and that's the extent of Bible knowledge that many preachers possess.

You have been entrusted with leading Jesus' church, the most powerful force on the face of the earth. Shouldn't you have some training? Doctors spend 8 years in medical school studying for their profession. Lawyers, roughly the same. Would you trust your health to a doctor that skipped medical school? Not likely. Would you trust an important case to a lawyer who didn't have any formal training? Probably not. But we're not talking about a medical procedure or a legal case - we're talking about the eternal Kingdom of God.

Can God use someone who hasn't gone to seminary? Absolutely. Will that person be more effective in their ministry if they do go to seminary? Absolutely.

Seminary builds character.

Seminary is no easy endeavor. Countless hours of reading, writing, researching... worrying, stressing, losing sleep - the list goes on. Seminary requires discipline. For some, being a leader is an attractive idea. Who doesn't want to be in charge? But effective leadership is more than that. God can use your years in seminary to develop your character, to nurture your spiritual disciplines, and to draw you closer to him.

Seminary develops your theology.

“There are many people who stand behind the pulpit making up their own doctrines.”

Bad theology is everywhere. That's just the reality. There are many people who stand behind the pulpit making up their own doctrines. Literally - just saying things because they sound like they make sense. Countless preachers are using the pulpit to share their own thoughts and opinions, rather than communicating the truth of the Gospel. While I do not consider myself to be an absolute master theologian, I do, however, have a Master's degree in Theological Studies, and am completing my Doctor of Ministry program this summer. I occasionally find myself listening to a sermon thinking: what in the world is this person talking about? This guy is preaching straight from the Gospel of 2nd Opinions!

Theology, everything you believe about God, is a foundational component of your faith. If your theology is weak, your faith will be weak. Let's take it a step further. The Bible says, in Roman 10:17, that "faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." If you're a minister, and your listeners aren't hearing the actual word of Christ, not only will your faith be weak, but theirs will be also.

As ministers of the Gospel, we should be preaching the Gospel. When I graduated from seminary, I started a simple practice. Whenever I write my sermons, I reread them several times to make sure they are doctrinally sound. I would encourage you to do the same. Both things: go to seminary, and review your sermons.

Get Inspired

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, a young pastor, the following: "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Timothy 4:16) I sincerely believe that Jesus has that same desire for your life. Watch yourself, watch your theology - and if you do, you will be able to watch yourself, and the people you have been entrusted with, grow.

#pastor #leadership