This thread was started because of comments made in the Peter Enns thread. Let me start out by stating that I am not against seminaries. They have been a valuable service to Christ's church. I am wondering whether they are the only way to adequately train men for ministry. The idea of a mentorship was mentioned in the other thread. Allow me to share a few thoughts on how this mentorship would work. The local church would be responsible for recognizing ministerial gifts in the individual. A call would be made to train the individual for ministry. What would the training entail? Here are some thoughts:
1. Evaluation by the elders Once a candidate for ministry is identified, the candidate will be interviewed by the elders regarding a lifetime of service as a minister of the gospel. The entire process, from call to ordination, is covered in detail with the candidate. A period of time will be given for the candidate to pray and consider the commitment that is necessary for ministry. Instead of attending bible college and/or seminary in the hopes of receiving the call for ministry, the elders indentify those who are to be called (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6, 2:2).
2. Call to ministry After a time of prayer and consideration the candidate is then formally called to ministry by the elders. The call is both private and public. It is private between the elders and the candidate. Once the candidate accepts the elders call to ministry, he is then presented before the church body who give witness to his call. This formal call can be a source of great comfort to the ministerial candidate. Instead of wondering whether or not he is called, the candidate has the assurance that the elders have indentified the gifts within him and have presented him in front of the body as one who is to be trained for ministry.
3. Academic training The ministerial candidate will receive all the academic training necessary for a minister of the gospel. Formal training in all aspects of theology and biblical languages will be administered by the elders and whoever else they designate as qualified to teach. The candidate will be well read. In addition he will be tested vigorously on the content of his academic training.
4. Practical ministry The ministerial candidate will perform most aspects of ministry under the guidance of the elders. Teaching, preaching, church administration, visitation etc. Personally I would withhold administration of the Lord’s Supper or baptism. I believe that is the responsibility of an ordained elder or pastor.
5. Personal mentorship The ministerial candidate will maintain a close relationship with the elders throughout his training. Informal conversations, time with the elders family, formal reviews, teacher-pupil interaction etc. At no time will the candidate be on his own. At all times the elders will have a view of the candidates heart for ministry and his character. Questions or concerns will be able to be dealt with quickly. A student who is away at seminary may be absent from watchful eyes in the local church. A mentorship will provide the watchful eye for the benefit of the candidate and Christ’s church.
6. Ordination and placement Once the candidates training is complete he will be ordained as a minister of the gospel and placed for ministry, whether this be in his existing church or another church. If the candidate is to be a missionary they will be commended to that work with the support of their local body.
Understand that what I just shared is a rough schematic of how a mentorship program would work between a local church and a candidate for ministry. It is not meant to be exhaustive. I am quite sure there are plenty of holes that could be attacked. I am interested in discussing the idea and how to develop a working model that can be replicated in different churches.
Again, this is not an attack on seminaries. I am merely recommending discussion on an alternative.
Comments?
1. Evaluation by the elders Once a candidate for ministry is identified, the candidate will be interviewed by the elders regarding a lifetime of service as a minister of the gospel. The entire process, from call to ordination, is covered in detail with the candidate. A period of time will be given for the candidate to pray and consider the commitment that is necessary for ministry. Instead of attending bible college and/or seminary in the hopes of receiving the call for ministry, the elders indentify those who are to be called (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6, 2:2).
2. Call to ministry After a time of prayer and consideration the candidate is then formally called to ministry by the elders. The call is both private and public. It is private between the elders and the candidate. Once the candidate accepts the elders call to ministry, he is then presented before the church body who give witness to his call. This formal call can be a source of great comfort to the ministerial candidate. Instead of wondering whether or not he is called, the candidate has the assurance that the elders have indentified the gifts within him and have presented him in front of the body as one who is to be trained for ministry.
3. Academic training The ministerial candidate will receive all the academic training necessary for a minister of the gospel. Formal training in all aspects of theology and biblical languages will be administered by the elders and whoever else they designate as qualified to teach. The candidate will be well read. In addition he will be tested vigorously on the content of his academic training.
4. Practical ministry The ministerial candidate will perform most aspects of ministry under the guidance of the elders. Teaching, preaching, church administration, visitation etc. Personally I would withhold administration of the Lord’s Supper or baptism. I believe that is the responsibility of an ordained elder or pastor.
5. Personal mentorship The ministerial candidate will maintain a close relationship with the elders throughout his training. Informal conversations, time with the elders family, formal reviews, teacher-pupil interaction etc. At no time will the candidate be on his own. At all times the elders will have a view of the candidates heart for ministry and his character. Questions or concerns will be able to be dealt with quickly. A student who is away at seminary may be absent from watchful eyes in the local church. A mentorship will provide the watchful eye for the benefit of the candidate and Christ’s church.
6. Ordination and placement Once the candidates training is complete he will be ordained as a minister of the gospel and placed for ministry, whether this be in his existing church or another church. If the candidate is to be a missionary they will be commended to that work with the support of their local body.
Understand that what I just shared is a rough schematic of how a mentorship program would work between a local church and a candidate for ministry. It is not meant to be exhaustive. I am quite sure there are plenty of holes that could be attacked. I am interested in discussing the idea and how to develop a working model that can be replicated in different churches.
Again, this is not an attack on seminaries. I am merely recommending discussion on an alternative.
Comments?