How do you become a pastor?

[AnotherTraveler]

bump

[exrockstar]

I do think that all this depends on the situation. If the person is in a tight spot, like your friend there, but wants to become a pastor, then I'd say they do the best with what they have, but ALWAYS seek to further their knowledge by SOME means. It doesn't have to be a college (and it most CERTAINLY doesn't have to be Harvard or Yale! Holy smokes!)...but I think what they could do is seek out a mentor who is older in the faith and has had a great deal of experience in the ministry, who can teach them some of the things they need to know. That doesn't need to cost anything. Heck, it can be done by e-mail if there's no one around who fits the description.

I think, however, that that person would need to realize that they aren't going to be seen as qualified by many people, including governments and those higher up in denominational hierarchies. While this may not directly affect their ability to do ministry, it WILL affect things like being able to perform marriages in certain countries, and being able to find a job with certain churches (note the lowercase "c"). Maybe you don't feel that's how it should be, but that's the way it IS, and if they're OK with that, then no big deal.

However, someone who has the means and the calling, I think, should DEFINITELY explore an education at an institute of Biblical education.

Basically, the point is to learn as much as you possibly can by whatever means available to you, don't just go into it assuming you know all there is to know. We also have to remember that God will provide the means to someone if He wants them to go to Bible College, or wherever.

An excellent answer.

I am not anti-education, I am anti-arrogance. The ability to preform marriages and be recognized by governments are not recorded as being scriptural goals for pastors. It is also not important how those in denominational hierarchies (talk about a non scriptural tongue twister) view you either, as the early church didn't concern themselves with obtaining the approval of the established power brokers.

I also believe that you should not go out of it (as in departing of old age or whatever) assuming that you know all there is to know, indeed, it is that very "assumption" that I am so strongly against, how dare you or I or any disclude whom God has called? NONE of the early church pastors had the educational requirements that so many demand these days, yet they served the will of God with great service, many giving their lives for their service.

Study to show yourself approved does not mean to cease study, and graduating must not be to cease study as a person goes out to minister. Many enter the ministry because it is a relatively easy life with a provided house, consistant wages, and the only real study they do is from pre-written preaching notes and other make easy tools until they are as spiritual as a floor rug, but not as useful.

There are always exceptions, but I have personally known some real educated idiots that I wouldn't want to have them keep a can of beans in safty, to say nothing of souls of men. Privilage does not convey intregity any more than poverty discludes someone from dignity. It is this very real mismeasurement of value and worth that is promoted by the institutional higher learning systems and the denominational hierarchies that must be challanged, not to destroy the earnest desire to study and show yourself approved, but to declare how important a humble and ready mind are, how essential humility is, and how it is impossible to walk in humility while holding yourself and others as superior due to training and privilage.

Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Paul's words, the highly educated man of the early church...

Act 20:19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other, better than themselves.

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Act 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (he goes on to call them dung) Read the whole chapter, very enlightening.

I agree with humility to an extent. Studying should definately change ones persona but I don't personally look for smiles and nods of appreciation...I look for substance too.

[Smalcald]

Just as long as we keep in mind the difference between an overseer of a congregation and a ministry, they are not the same.

There is an aptitude needed for both and people who can do one cannot always do the other. A congregational pastor has to be able to work with a budget, to understand organization, to understand some elements of counseling and human psychology, the need to understand aging and death and how to deal with sick people and their families, and of course preach the Gospel, it is a hard job, it is about taking care of a group of Christians and their souls.

If someone is called to be a congregational pastor, they will have been given by God these aptitudes and abilities. I don't understand why anyone who has this calling would not want to go through formal training, why would that be resisted? There are no shortcuts this is a lifelong calling, not something you get fired up and go do for a couple of months. I do see that as a problem, new believers on fire for Christ and let us be clear that this is a GOOD thing, but they suddenly believe that they are called to minister, but don't want to do any of the work to prepare. But that in itself would be a sign that they are not called to be a congregational pastor, but maybe some other type of ministry.

[Arthur Durnan]

Pastoring, shepherding, succouring is a gift to the local church. First, the Lord of the Church will call & equip you for His pastoral service. With the Call comes Responsibility. You will be seen as DOING the work. Be wholly accountable before God & others. Prepare yourself thru (usually) Bible School & earnest study of the Word. Accept every opportunity to serve and to be spent for others. Be wide open for the Spirit's leading & drink in His power, love & insight. You'll come to possess a shepherd's heart with creative communication skills extolling Christ as King. Say yes to speaking opportunities. Be available. Stay close to the Savior & you'll develop excellent relational skills, a teaching gift and a disciple-making, equipping mindset. Chances are very good that you'll meet a lifetime partner at Bible College or thru your association with Bible College & an associated congregation. Amen!

http://arthurdurnan.freeyellow.com

[Floatingaxe]

Pastoring, shepherding, succouring is a gift to the local church. First, the Lord of the Church will call & equip you for His pastoral service. With the Call comes Responsibility. You will be seen as DOING the work. Be wholly accountable before God & others. Prepare yourself thru (usually) Bible School & earnest study of the Word. Accept every opportunity to serve and to be spent for others. Be wide open for the Spirit's leading & drink in His power, love & insight. You'll come to possess a shepherd's heart with creative communication skills extolling Christ as King. Say yes to speaking opportunities. Be available. Stay close to the Savior & you'll develop excellent relational skills, a teaching gift and a disciple-making, equipping mindset. Chances are very good that you'll meet a lifetime partner at Bible College or thru your association with Bible College & an associated congregation. Amen!

http://arthurdurnan.freeyellow.com

Wow! I agree with Charles here.

When God sees you obeying Him and serving in such a way, He will appoint.

[TheoMike]

Just as long as we keep in mind the difference between an overseer of a congregation and a ministry, they are not the same.

There is an aptitude needed for both and people who can do one cannot always do the other. A congregational pastor has to be able to work with a budget, to understand organization, to understand some elements of counseling and human psychology, the need to understand aging and death and how to deal with sick people and their families, and of course preach the Gospel, it is a hard job, it is about taking care of a group of Christians and their souls.

If someone is called to be a congregational pastor, they will have been given by God these aptitudes and abilities. I don't understand why anyone who has this calling would not want to go through formal training, why would that be resisted? There are no shortcuts this is a lifelong calling, not something you get fired up and go do for a couple of months. I do see that as a problem, new believers on fire for Christ and let us be clear that this is a GOOD thing, but they suddenly believe that they are called to minister, but don't want to do any of the work to prepare. But that in itself would be a sign that they are not called to be a congregational pastor, but maybe some other type of ministry.

It's funny how many experts there are here! I am wondering how many would be as confident of their knowledge if they just hired some yahoo, who claimed "the call," yet had no formal training or education, but who had charm, personality, said all the right things, and could sing (and his wife played the piano!), but later you found out he was a mile wide but an inch deep! As one who has their "terminal degree" in Theological studies, I still after 21 years of pulpit ministry feel woefully inadequate. I found the more I learned the more I needed to learn because the less I actually knew. There are some things you cannot learn on your own, I don't care how spiritual you are or much time you spend on your knees. There is great value in being educated "at the feet" of learned men of God who have been where you are going. Especially, given the fact that the average person in the pew is far more educated today than even 20 years ago; it is vital for the pastor to be able to navigate the troubled waters of not only Church polity and law, but also Biblical interpretation.

The call to pastor is unique, and in today's world the pastor is expected to be part administrator, part doctor, part lawyer, part teacher and everybody's spiritual guide, all for a paycheck nobody on the board would work for! The fact is, there are no real guidelines in the Bible for hiring a pastor, beyond the qualifications listed by Paul for elders and deacons. It was humorous reading a post earlier on where somebody quoted a bunch of verses that had nothing whatsoever to do with the office of Pastor. When the Bible is silent on a matter, it's up to us to be as "wise as serpents," to quote our Lord, and to exercise discernment and, most of all, function with the mind of Christ. I have sat in front of many a pastoral search committee in my day. Some were not in the least bit interested in my education, others were. Some were keenly interested in my counseling credentials, others were captivated by articles I had written. But at the end of the interview, each and every search committee prayed with me and prayed together, asking for Divine guidance.

Every church is different, and some churches have no use for a candidate like me, a Dr. so-and-so, to be be their pastor, they may need a man who is good at visitation because their congregation is older. Other churches, like Marnie's, are populated by doctors, educators and professional types who need solid teaching from an educated, Spirit filled pastor. These people don't want him to visit them, they want and need to be taught.

Just some observations from one who has been around the proverbial pulpit a few times in his life.

[Smalcald]

Good post Mike, thanks.

[ray]

How do i become a genuine pastor? I want to save people and start a little society outside major citys where i and my church will get armed and await the end days.

You come a genunine pastor through......

1. lots of prayer

2. lots of sacrifice

3. Sharing your personal testimony (how did you come to know Christ? what has Christ done for you? and more)

4. encouraging others

5. explain the bible in ways people can understand through illustrations, testimonies, and yet it edifies and challenges

6. God is merciful therefore does not want to punish us but God is just therefore must punish sin like wise you must not be judgemental of others unless they are trying to pull you away from Christ

7. Become knowelegable of what the Bible says and other commentaries or what others think so you can be prepared to give an answer.

8. Getting into Bible college and taking pastoral classes. There are different types of pastors. What kind of pastor do want to be?

9. knowing how to keep others stuff confidental and not gossip

10. Knowing your not God and you can't fix every problem that comes your way and how to refer people toward professional help.

Starting a church is one thing but to call it your little society sound cult like. Do want to start a cult or do really want to minister the gospel?

[Marnie]

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

James 3:1

[EricH]

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

James 3:1

If you are at the judgement seat of Christ, and you see me standing in front of you, you might want to change lines. As a teacher, I will take longer