As I prepare to enter my final semester of seminary, and have pondered what lessons I might share with those considering that call or just starting their seminary journey, I was struck by how my perspective on ministry has changed over these last few years. Like many new theological students, I was thrilled to begin my formal training, excited to learn under men like Tom Schreiner, Jim Hamilton, and Russell Moore. I loved theology and was ready to dig into the nuances of complex doctrines like the hypostatic union and compatibilistic free will. I wanted to prepare for ministry, and as such, I wanted to know my Bible backwards and forwards, to know when the Greek text makes a difference in our understanding, to know the history of the church, to learn the art of preaching. These are all wonderful, and I would say necessary, pursuits for those called to pastoral ministry. But for those considering that call and those just beginning their seminary journey, consider the emphasis Paul places in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. “Life” and “doctrine” both matter, but the emphasis is on “life,” on the man’s character, and only secondarily on his skill.
Hershael York tells the story of a seminary student in one of his preaching classes. Though the student was an able communicator and was passing all of his classes, the content of his sermons in class made it clear to Dr. York that his character was severely lacking. Dr. York confronted the student, making it clear that a M.Div. from seminary does nothing to qualify someone for ministry. Many brilliant men, with entire portions of Scripture memorized in the original languages, were morally bankrupt individuals. A degree from seminary simply says you were able to complete academic classwork adequately. Dr. York’s student eventually withdrew from the school. Training and skill matter, but these things cannot overcome a failure to meet the moral qualifications the Bible makes clear for those in church leadership.
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