Called to Pastorship but not Seminary?

[aspiringpastor96]

For a little under a year now, I've felt a strong calling to serve as the head of a non-denominational church at some point. I feel that calling very strongly in my heart. But despite what the common path is, I don't feel "called" to seminary or bible college.

I feel as though my path should be to enter the work force for some time after college (I'm currently a 20-year-old sophomore), pursue other means of public service (teaching, something along those lines) while I gain some life experience (a 21-year-old pastor with no money and no social network isn't going to just launch a church on his own), and in the mean time, volunteer in my church at all levels to learn the ins and outs of every church function (ministry, youth ministry, day care, you name it), so that I may be equipped to plant my own at the right time after thoroughly studying the church's ins and outs and significantly deepening my knowledge of the Word.

While I know God says not to follow social norms, when it comes to the "norm" of becoming a pastor, I start to doubt whether I've misinterpreted God's will since I don't feel "called" to seminary or bible college. Or maybe I'm just not supposed to feel that same feeling on my heart about the steps I take as I do about the end goal. I'm not sure, but am hoping for some input as I continue to pray about this!

 

[High Fidelity]

I don't know if you've misinterpreted a call, but I do feel there's a Scriptural basis that supports and, some others would agree, creates the necessity for a formal theological and pastoral education typically only gained from seminary, as part of the requirements of pastoral ministry and leadership.


@AMR @drstevej @Chaplain David

Perhaps our chaplains can help(AMR is no longer a chaplain on CF but equally qualified to answer).

Good luck and God bless.

 

[dysert]

While I can't discount your call to a pastorship, I do believe you need to really know the Word. Whether that means seminary or a few years of systematic and intensive study. Being a pastor is more than shepherding people. You need to be steeped in the Word for all the spiritual wisdom that only comes from the Bible. In addition to all their other duties, a pastor is to equip the saints for their work in the ministry, and you can't very well equip them if you're not equipped.

 

[turtlejoy]

God qualifies the called, not calls the qualified. While it's important to know his word in the Bible, having a piece of paper with your name on it saying that you know His word isn't as important.
That said to be a pastor you're going to need to learn how to listen and console people who may come to you with very unique situations they are in conflict with so you'll need to know how to help them and point them to appropriate scripture so the Holy Spirit can help them. For some people, it comes natural, for others, they really have to study and learn how to do this.
Also if you're not comfortable speaking in front of audiences, this might be another thing you'll have to take time to learn.
I'd say continue to pray about this and God will lead you. He leads people to seminary and he also leads people straight to leadership positions (many pastors haven't gone to a seminary)
Also maybe traditional seminary isn't for you but something like Christian Leaders Institute who offer a comprehensive seminary education online might be what works best for you.

 

[RyanC111]

For a little under a year now, I've felt a strong calling to serve as the head of a non-denominational church at some point. I feel that calling very strongly in my heart. But despite what the common path is, I don't feel "called" to seminary or bible college.

I feel as though my path should be to enter the work force for some time after college (I'm currently a 20-year-old sophomore), pursue other means of public service (teaching, something along those lines) while I gain some life experience (a 21-year-old pastor with no money and no social network isn't going to just launch a church on his own), and in the mean time, volunteer in my church at all levels to learn the ins and outs of every church function (ministry, youth ministry, day care, you name it), so that I may be equipped to plant my own at the right time after thoroughly studying the church's ins and outs and significantly deepening my knowledge of the Word.

While I know God says not to follow social norms, when it comes to the "norm" of becoming a pastor, I start to doubt whether I've misinterpreted God's will since I don't feel "called" to seminary or bible college. Or maybe I'm just not supposed to feel that same feeling on my heart about the steps I take as I do about the end goal. I'm not sure, but am hoping for some input as I continue to pray about this!

We are in similar places Aspiringpastor96! If there is one thing I know about the Ministry is that God has gifted you and is equipping you! Commune with Him, He will reveal His gift unto you. Lets link together and see if we can get something started. Where two or more are gathered.

Blessings!

 

[Tree of Life]

For a little under a year now, I've felt a strong calling to serve as the head of a non-denominational church at some point. I feel that calling very strongly in my heart. But despite what the common path is, I don't feel "called" to seminary or bible college.

I feel as though my path should be to enter the work force for some time after college (I'm currently a 20-year-old sophomore), pursue other means of public service (teaching, something along those lines) while I gain some life experience (a 21-year-old pastor with no money and no social network isn't going to just launch a church on his own), and in the mean time, volunteer in my church at all levels to learn the ins and outs of every church function (ministry, youth ministry, day care, you name it), so that I may be equipped to plant my own at the right time after thoroughly studying the church's ins and outs and significantly deepening my knowledge of the Word.

While I know God says not to follow social norms, when it comes to the "norm" of becoming a pastor, I start to doubt whether I've misinterpreted God's will since I don't feel "called" to seminary or bible college. Or maybe I'm just not supposed to feel that same feeling on my heart about the steps I take as I do about the end goal. I'm not sure, but am hoping for some input as I continue to pray about this!

Well...

Don't make decisions based on feelings. Make decisions based on convictions rooted in God's word, the situations of life that God puts you in, and your own knowledge of yourself and your gifts.

My goal is to become a senior teaching pastor of a church. I've been pursuing this since I was around 17 years old. I went to college and studied theology and philosophy while I gained ministry experience serving as a volunteer Young Life leader. After college I went on staff with the Navigators campus ministry and did that for 5 years. Then I came on staff with my church as an intern for 1 year. Now I'm at a PCA church as a pastoral intern (been here for about 9 months). I am just now in seminary and I'm pursuing my MA in Biblical Studies and ordination in the PCA.

I got about 6 years of professional ministry experience before I came into seminary and I think it benefited me greatly. There is not one "proper path" to pastoral ministry but here's some stuff I'd say:

1. No matter where you are, pursue ministry experience by volunteering in your church or in a para church ministry as much as you can. Gain as much experience as you can as a volunteer.
2. Being in the work world for a while can be helpful. You'll learn how to pastor people who live their whole lives in that position.
3. I don't care about Bible college. Take it or leave it.
4. Seminary is a huge blessing to the church and would-be pastors. Don't despise it. Go to seminary if you can.
5. I know that church planting is sexy right now but don't be married to this idea. Established churches need young leadership and revitalization too.

Godspeed!

 

[drstevej]

A pastor needs a knowledge of God's Word and sound doctrine. Seminary is not the only place to get this information. To enter ministry without this foundation is unwise.

 

[TheNorwegian]

I think it is helpful to know theology when you want to be a pastor. However, it is also dependent on what kind of church you want t work in. Many alternative churches start in order to reach out to people who do not come to traditional churches, including "traditional" charismatic/non-denominational churches. In such alternative churches, there can be other ways to prepare for leadership than going to seminary. I think it is good to do apprenticeship

Summary: The path you chose in order to be prepared for ministry is dependent on what kind of church you want work with