Calling all pastors.... or anyone with insight

[Wolfdragon]

Hey everyone. I have no idea where this goes, so I am going to put it here.

I am trying to find out what is needed as far as education etc to become a pastor. My problem is, I can't really find anything that says "REQUIREMENTS". Only a bunch of "recommendations", and they are all different.

I have been praying fervently over this for about six months now. I have felt compelled to set a path for becoming a pastor. At first I was somewhat worried about the fact that I may be thinking with my head, not my heart, so I started praying about it.

After only about a month, I got a new job. At this new job, they pay for school nearly 100%, regardless of what you want to go to school for. The more I pray, the more things happen to me that say, I am being lead to this by God. I feel it is His will, which is why I am now more than comfortable enough to get feedback from others on how to proceed.

If anyone has any insight on the best way to approach this from an educational stand point, please chime in.

Thanks In Advance,
Your Brother in Christ,
Timothy

[RoadWarrior]

Hi Wolfdragon,

I'm moving this thread to MiC, as that seems more suited to your question. Hiopefully you will get some useful answers in that forum.

Edit: My aplogies, this is threebigrocks - RoadWarrior were both on the move to get your post to where it belonged. Didn't mean to jump you around!

[threebigrocks]

WolfDragon, let me profusely apologize for moving your poor thread into so many places. :blush: It will remain here in Maturing in Christ. There are other pastors who are members here who can discuss with you in addition to other mature members who can help here.

[threebigrocks]

Let me ask you this. What do you expect to get from seminary teaching? How do you expect them to lead and prepare you?

[DadBurnett]

More that a specific answer to your question, I would put this under the Food for Thought category ….

You say your are compelled to set a path for becoming a pastor … then after prayer and getting a new job that would pay for your religious education, you say … I am being lead to this by God. I feel it is His will …

What classes do you need, apart from the obvious Bible, faith based stuff, you need public speaking, writing classes, some business admin classes, some sociology classes.

Beyond that, and based on what little you have said … what church or denomination do you belong to – what is their path to ministry?

This is a good and nobel desire and it makes a lot of sense on different levels. I have known many with such urges and it has been my experience that some inner urges, no matter how strongly felt are not a call from God to the ministry. By the same token, I have know those who were called and did not answer the call. I would suggest continuing in prayer and focus on being sure of your calling. If you are truly called, the way has already been prepared and will be revealed to you, step by step, by the the Holy Spirit - God’s Will for you will surely unfold in ways both expected and unexpected. Your path to becoming a pastor will be accomplished through developing a deeper, stronger, more dependent relationship with God and Christ. From within that relationship you wil, with discernment, know which requirements and recommendations are right for you.

[Elouise]

Talk with those in leadership at your church. You will need their support and guidence.

If your emphasis will be pastoring I urge you to look at active listening skills and some psychology. You will be working with people and you need to become socially and self-aware and able to use teological reflection in your dealings with others.

[Revinius]

Keep serving, just kick your level of serving in church and extra-church activities for the Lord. This will help you get a feel for ministry and also isolate your gifts in that field. Who knows... you might be better suited to overseas mission work or something scholarly. Not everyone is kitted out with the gifts of the head pastor.

[Sold Out]

Hey everyone. I have no idea where this goes, so I am going to put it here.

I am trying to find out what is needed as far as education etc to become a pastor. My problem is, I can't really find anything that says "REQUIREMENTS". Only a bunch of "recommendations", and they are all different.


Thanks In Advance,
Your Brother in Christ,
Timothy

First question...why do you feel called to be a pastor?

As far as requirements...well it's pretty relative. Biblically speaking a pastor should be grounded in sound doctrine and live a life according to I Tim 3. Nowadays, most churches want a pastor who is educated (seminary). My pastor has two masters degrees. He just sort of went the extra mile to be able to teach in seminary as well. Like he says, 'get the union card' (college).

The choice of seminaries is pretty endless, depending on where you live.

[Clay Blucher]

I am slightly amazed that nobody has mentioned that at the very least you should have a good background in how to do proper exegesis. You should be familiar with the original languages and the proper techniques to really understand what the Bible is trying to say first to its original audience, and how to apply that original message to its other audience, the church today. No doubt this will be required in any decent MDiv program that you search for (and be cautious of any that do not have this requirement!), but knowing how to read one's Bible is essential for pastor's today.

As for support for becoming a pastor, I would suggest that you have the support of a local church. You should be looking to have opportunities to practice preaching in front of an audience, and a local church should be able to give you this opportunity.

[ConqueredbyLove]

Wolfdragon,

Do you mind sharing what church you go to? Some posters here have mentioned Seminary and master's degrees, etc. While I respect them and their answers, not all churches have pastors that have been to Seminary or have Master's degrees.

I pray no one is offended by my post. But I come from a church that does not require the above. Just a different perspective that I thought I would throw out there :rolleyes:

[Wolfdragon]

Wow. Thanks everyone for the insight. I will try to give info here where people asked for it. I apologise if I missed something. Will read again when I am done typing (lot to mull over).

Denomination came up a few times..... I really don't have a denomination preference. We are going to get "a different story" from whatever denomination we go to. Even those in higher levels of each denomination don't necessarily agree one everything within that denomination. Our job, as the Bible teaches, is to discern truth from everything we are taught. Not everything we are taught is the truth. We all know this. I prefer to follow the Bible, as the Word of God is the truth.

That said, I attend a church that is currently affiliated with the United Church of Christ (UCC) (save to boo's for now). We are trying to get away from this, as the values, morals, and overall "biblical" belief systems of the church has caused much separation in our congregation, and we are down to about 10 actual members, and 15 regular attendees, with a few stragglers every week. Our intention is to move toward a "grassroots" BIBLE Church. We all feel that there is too much separation in our churches, and unfortunately, we knew it was coming, God told us it would happen, but we want to try and avoid the affiliations as best as possible. (no offense meant to anyone of course)

Extra Activities.... Yup, that is indeed keeping me busy, learning, and hopeful for my churches future. Since we are losing so much, we are all having to pitch in extra time. We are also getting out in the community more, trying to get our seats more filled up. So I am spending time with much more Biblically knowledgable folks (most of the members of our church are, shall I say, more experienced in life than I am ;) ). I am learning so much more about the bible, getting asked questions that force me to research and "get back to you on that" when I have been lead to the anwer. I find myself not only learning more, but walking closer to God than ever before. And it seems as though I am putting forth very little effort in it. Something that only a few years ago I never thought possible.

For "practice preaching" my current church is where I intend to start. I know that I have the support of our current pastor. He was delighted when I approached him. He is working on getting a list of local schools that are recommended by him and some of his collegues. So I know when the time came, I would have the support of my church fully.

Thanks for all of your insight. I do hope I didn't forget anything, certainly not on purpose if I did.:saint:

[ConqueredbyLove]

Wolfdragon...Me again :rolleyes:

Has anyone ever encouraged you along this path you feel called to? Has anyone ever mentioned that they thought you have specific gifts in....?

Perhaps your church does not believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit...but I am curious as to whether others have encouraged you upon this road which is of utmost responsibility?

[Sold Out]

That said, I attend a church that is currently affiliated with the United Church of Christ (UCC) (save to boo's for now). We are trying to get away from this, as the values, morals, and overall "biblical" belief systems of the church has caused much separation in our congregation, and we are down to about 10 actual members, and 15 regular attendees, with a few

Thanks for all of your insight. I do hope I didn't forget anything, certainly not on purpose if I did.:saint:

I hate to be the one who asks...but what do YOU believe concerning salvation (considering your present affiliation with the UCC)? Establishing the fundamentals is of the utmost importance.

[ConqueredbyLove]

I prefer to follow the Bible, as the Word of God is the truth.

This is great!

Our intention is to move toward a "grassroots" BIBLE Church.

Can you explain for us? I am not certain what you mean as grassroots...



I am just interested because the church I go to stresses the teaching of the Word of God.

[Wolfdragon]

Really, the only three people that have really encouraged me are my wife (mostly recently) my mother (also recently) and my mothers' pastor (also recently). I say recently because, only my wife has known my thoughts on this more than 6 months. She really got into encouraging me in the last two months.

My mother, who lives 3000 miles away, started encouraging me immidiately upon hearing from me that I was beginning to think about persuing a pastoral role, about three months ago. Her pastor, obviously 3000 miles away, contacted me shortly after my mother talked to him and prayed with me and offered his encouragement as well.

Other than that, I have not told many others about my thoughts on this just yet. Oh yes, my mother in law also has offered her encouragement as well.

As far as salvation..... I think it is best stated through reading scripture.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

That pretty much sums it up. Now, does this mean this is all you have to do to be a "good Christian"? No! But the act of Confessing VERBALLY that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour, and that you BELIEVE Jesus Father, OUR GOD, Raised Jesus from the dead after sacrificing Him for OUR sins, that is what leads to our salvation. This is pretty well stated within the Bible.

However, I am also one that believes Baptism is a requirement. This, I realize, is a topic of some "controversy". I know many Christians believe this is an option. I personally believe that baptism is required, but only after one has come to an age of accountability. I personally don't believe in baptizing children at a young age.

But with that said, my wife sits on the other side of this equation. She believes baptism is required, and wants our children baptized young. I have "ok'ed" this (she's my wife, what can I do?), but have also stated to her that I will request them to be baptized again later in life, once they realize the significance of the act of baptism.

I do hope that is clear. I apologize, but I do tend to ramble.


And by the way, very nice clarification CBL, the Word vs The Bible. God's Word is definitely what we are looking for.

[Sold Out]

As far as salvation..... I think it is best stated through reading scripture.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

That pretty much sums it up. Now, does this mean this is all you have to do to be a "good Christian"? No! But the act of Confessing VERBALLY that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Saviour, and that you BELIEVE Jesus Father, OUR GOD, Raised Jesus from the dead after sacrificing Him for OUR sins, that is what leads to our salvation. This is pretty well stated within the Bible.

However, I am also one that believes Baptism is a requirement. This, I realize, is a topic of some "controversy". I know many Christians believe this is an option. I personally believe that baptism is required, but only after one has come to an age of accountability. I personally don't believe in baptizing children at a young age.



Can you biblically define the Gospel?