Should every leader of the church have a masters degree or higher?

[Neostarwcc]

In the PCA denomination, to be a Pastor requires a master of divinity or higher. Ensuring smooth operation and prevention of common issues. Roles such as elders, deacons, and treasurers do not necessarily require to have a master's degree in Divinity or equivalent, The question posed is whether all Christian denominations should adopt this standard. The argument for universal adoption includes:

1. Educated clergy are less likely to misinterpret scripture or provide misguided advice, as understanding ancient languages and biblical interpretation typically requires formal education.
2. Clergy without an education tend to have a low view of Scripture and they'll either twist the word of God or they'll declare it or church attendance unimportant when both are essential to the Christian faith. This can happen even from people with an education as well but it's much, much easier for this to happen in an uneducated clergy member than an educated one.
3. A uneducated clergy member can take advantage of its congregation and can abuse the authority given to them by God. Generally clergy who have an education tend to take God's word more seriously and will take their duty to educate, help and lead the flock of God. It takes an education in theology and pastorship to learn how to lead the flock of God and to help people come to Christ and to learn the importance of church worship.
4. It generally takes an education to understand the word of God and biblical interpretation should be left to the theologians and Clergy who know and understand what the word of God says.
5. (Biased opinion) A Pastor without an education is like a hunter without a gun. They are unequipped to handle everything that being the leader of a church entails and they tend to be as John MCarthur puts it, "unqualified".
   
   The suggestion is that these reasons validate the need for educational requirements across all Christian denominations to maintain high standards of leadership and guidance within the church.
   
   

 

[timothyu]

In a nutshell, no. It then demands a respect and that leads to expectations of loyalty, the seed of every oppressive power in history. Power is easily abused especially by the educated. Educated in what, crowd control or the will of God? It might have its merits from an executive level but how is that different than the rigid structuring of the original institutional churches that demanded allegiance without questioning of the format by the people? People were trained to follow a set routine and Heaven help them if they did not stick to the will, not of God but of the church leaders. The church is the people but it seems like with any human government, the people are to follow the leaders now rather than the leaders represent the people. The churches have all fallen back into the world and are expecting leadership the same as what governs the world of man. Mistake. It then becomes a matter of defending the institution rather than the Kingdom which came to oppose them.

The Gospel of the Kingdom which has been shunned is simply about not putting our self serving will ahead of the will of God which of course leads us to love all as self. Hardly rocket science and in need of authoritative leadership. It is about a way of life, not a governmental institution designed to restrict and control. A movement needs no leader. It is an idea, not a law. Laws move it back into the ways of the world and away from the Kingdom, where the only falling away that the administration is worried about is our falling away from the regulations of a church. Those who failed to get onboard with the institution builders were often called heretics as a result.

Actually, if you think about it yes you may need a strong educated leader to keep people in line. But the original church was an idea, not about control. So it comes down to which system we want to follow. The Jesus movement was rebellious to the traditional ways of man which not only created oppressive governments but also had infected the priesthood in Judea. It was a counter-culture to the governments and status quo of man. Education comes from the ideas of tainted man, wisdom comes from the will of God.

 

[Aussie Pete]

In the PCA denomination, leadership roles such as elders, deacons, and Co-Pastors are required to have a master's degree in Divinity or equivalent, ensuring smooth operation and prevention of common issues. The question posed is whether all Christian denominations should adopt this standard. The argument for universal adoption includes:

1. Educated clergy are less likely to misinterpret scripture or provide misguided advice, as understanding ancient languages and biblical interpretation typically requires formal education.
2. Clergy without an education tend to have a low view of Scripture and they'll either twist the word of God or they'll declare it or church attendance unimportant when both are essential to the Christian faith. This can happen even from people with an education as well but it's much, much easier for this to happen in an uneducated clergy member than an educated one.
3. A uneducated clergy member can take advantage of its congregation and can abuse the authority given to them by God. Generally clergy who have an education tend to take God's word more seriously and will take their duty to educate, help and lead the flock of God. It takes an education in theology and pastorship to learn how to lead the flock of God and to help people come to Christ and to learn the importance of church worship.
4. It generally takes an education to understand the word of God and biblical interpretation should be left to the theologians and Clergy who know and understand what the word of God says.
5. (Biased opinion) A Pastor without an education is like a hunter without a gun. They are unequipped to handle everything that being the leader of a church entails and they tend to be as John MCarthur puts it, "unqualified".
   
   The suggestion is that these reasons validate the need for educational requirements across all Christian denominations to maintain high standards of leadership and guidance within the church.
   
   

Somehow the early church flourished without the influence of higher education. If Christians were encouraged to study the Bible for themselves and not get treated like idiots, they would be able to judge teachings for themselves.

The most influential believer is my life never attended Bible college. He was a true man of God, with wisdom and insight that comes from a relationship with Christ, not a university professor.

If university educated clergy are so essential, how come so many mainstream denominations are shrinking? It is the educated that have twisted God's word to justify same sex marriage and ordination of homosexuals. I have no degree in anything. My education is in the school of life, by the Holy Spirit, who is given to lead us into all truth.

 

[Strong in Him]

In the PCA denomination, leadership roles such as elders, deacons, and Co-Pastors are required to have a master's degree in Divinity or equivalent, ensuring smooth operation and prevention of common issues. The question posed is whether all Christian denominations should adopt this standard.

Not at all.
I was thinking about this only yesterday.
1. It gives the wrong impression - that we value qualifications and only the cleverest will be chosen.
2. Jesus said the last will be first and the first, last. There's nothing wrong with studying, but there may be a tendency, among some, to believe that high qualifications makes them better people, more spiritual/acceptable. It is, sadly, true that qualifications tend to lead to the best jobs; I wish it didn't.
3. I have known some highly qualified clergy who were still not liked/respected among their congregations.

1. Educated clergy are less likely to misinterpret scripture or provide misguided advice, as understanding ancient languages and biblical interpretation typically requires formal education.

It doesn't mean that they have a real relationship with the Lord Jesus, nor a strong faith.

Clergy without an education tend to have a low view of Scripture and they'll either twist the word of God or they'll declare it or church attendance unimportant when both are essential to the Christian faith. This can happen even from people with an education as well but it's much, much easier for this to happen in an uneducated clergy member than an educated one.

Will they?
Did the disciples have a low view of Scripture? Peter and Co were fishermen, not as educated as Saul of Tarsus. Yet there is no suggestion that they were any less passionate, or effective, than he was.
There have probably been many missionaries over the ages who did not have a university education.
Years ago, in the UK at least, and man did not have to be qualified, or even a believer, to be ordained. The first son of a wealthy man became a squire and inherited the estate; the second son went into the church.

And church attendance is not essential for the Christian faith. Meeting with other Christians to study/share testimonies/pray for one another. yes. Going "to church", sitting in the same seat every week and waiting to be fed by someone else; no.

A uneducated clergy member can take advantage of its congregation and can abuse the authority given to them by God. Generally clergy who have an education tend to take God's word more seriously and will take their duty to educate, help and lead the flock of God. It takes an education in theology and pastorship to learn how to lead the flock of God and to help people come to Christ and to learn the importance of church worship.

So can an educated one.
That has nothing to do with qualifications and everything to do with sin, human nature and bad character.

It generally takes an education to understand the word of God and biblical interpretation should be left to the theologians and Clergy who know and understand what the word of God says.

How educated were the OT prophets, judges and disciples?
Moses, David and Amos were shepherds. I suppose Jonah could have had a qualification - it didn't stop him from running away and disobeying God.

(Biased opinion) A Pastor without an education is like a hunter without a gun. They are unequipped to handle everything that being the leader of a church entails and they tend to be as John MCarthur puts it, "unqualified".

Not necessarily.
It could be said that someone who has been to college, learnt about Biblical criticism, theological theories etc is less likely to accept the simplicity of God's word. "Unless you receive the Kingdom of God like children ..... "etc.
I am quite sure that my Minister, other Ministers, our Superintendent etc know all about the various theories of atonement. But if they don't really believe, and accept, that Christ died for them and has forgiven their sins, it won't do them any good.

The suggestion is that these reasons validate the need for educational requirements across all Christian denominations to maintain high standards of leadership and guidance within the church.

It doesn't guarantee it though.
We've recently had a Minister in our circuit be suspended because of his behaviour and, only yesterday there was a report in the paper about a Catholic priest who had been sacked for his. Clergy are not immune form sin - affairs, fraud or whatever. Nor do qualifications guarantee competency in pastoral work, good "bedside manners", sensitivity, the ability to listen and so on.

 

[John G.]

In the PCA denomination, leadership roles such as elders, deacons, and Co-Pastors are required to have a master's degree in Divinity or equivalent, ensuring smooth operation and prevention of common issues.

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has no such requirement for elders. They are elected by the congregation for their spiritual maturity and service to the church.
I can see a requirement for a degree as far as ministers go. They should know their Bible and should have courses in homiletics lest they put their congregations to sleep.

 

[Strong in Him]

I can see a requirement for a degree as far as ministers go. They should know their Bible and should have courses in homiletics lest they put their congregations to sleep.

Maybe.
But it's not just Ministers who preach; lay people can too. I've been preaching for nearly 20 years and I don't have a degree.
Some people might say that it's those with degrees who put their congregations to sleep!

 

[Lost4words]

Were the Apostles highly educated? That should answer the question easily.

 

[Neostarwcc]

Were the Apostles highly educated? That should answer the question easily.

Yes, they were. Not only were they taught by Jesus, had the Holy Spirit as guidance to interpret scripture and were given direct Revelation from God ..etc. But they also wrote parts of the Bible and knew the Bible in its original manuscripts. So yes, they were educated. Did they go to college? No. But college also didnt exist and they needed the teaching of Jesus to know and spread the gospe. They knew what they were talking about and that is the main argument for educating Pastors today.

 

[Strong in Him]

Yes, they were. Not only were they taught by Jesus, had the Holy Spirit as guidance to interpret scripture and were given direct Revelation from God ..etc. But they also wrote parts of the Bible and knew the Bible in its original manuscripts. So yes, they were educated. Did they go to college? No. But they knew what they were talking about and that is the main argument for educating Pastors today.

They knew what they were talking about because they had spent time with Jesus and heard him quote OT prophecies, which he fulfilled.
Spending time with Jesus beats a college qualification any day - though of course, it's possible to have both.

The disciples didn't write "parts of the Bible" until many years later.

 

[Neostarwcc]

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland has no such requirement for elders. They are elected by the congregation for their spiritual maturity and service to the church.
I can see a requirement for a degree as far as ministers go. They should know their Bible and should have courses in homiletics lest they put their congregations to sleep.

Actually, you are right and I was wrong. My elder actually cleared it up last night when I asked him and i didnt have the chance to edit my post or clear it up until now. To preach in the PCA you need a masters of divinity or higher (which he had to get because he is also the lead Pastor for our church) but elders, deacons, and other leadership positions do not necessarily need a masters degree. Only Pastors do.

 

[Neostarwcc]

They knew what they were talking about because they had spent time with Jesus and heard him quote OT prophecies, which he fulfilled.
Spending time with Jesus beats a college qualification any day - though of course, it's possible to have both.

The disciples didn't write "parts of the Bible" until many years later.

Completely correct. But they also had knowledge of the Old Testament and likely were brought up into the scriptures like Jesus was. So they knew and followed Christ because he fulfilled the Prophecies in which they were all raised in and he proved in their opinions that he was the Messiah.

This is why it's important for clergy to have a knowledge of the scriptures. They don't always have the ability to be taught by the Holy Spirit or Christ and Christ has been ascended for thousands of years now and isn't physically on Earth correcting the mistakes that Christians or Pastors make anymore. So being taught in a good school that prepares future Pastors for Pastorship and teaches them how to read and interpret scripture helps them avoid huge mistakes.

Don't forget, Pastors represent and are sent from God and are held more accountable for their sin and false teachings than any other human being. Shouldn't they all be educated to avoid making serious errors or even worse, heresy?

 

[Strong in Him]

Completely correct. But they also had knowledge of the Old Testament and likely were brought up into the scriptures like Jesus was. So they knew and followed Christ because he fulfilled the Prophecies in which they were all raised in and he proved in their opinions that he was the Messiah.

This is why it's important for clergy to have a knowledge of the scriptures. They don't always have the ability to be taught by the Holy Spirit or Christ and Christ has been ascended for thousands of years now and isn't physically on Earth correcting the mistakes that Christians or Pastors make anymore. So being taught in a good school that prepares future Pastors for Pastorship and teaches them how to read and interpret scripture helps them avoid huge mistakes.

Don't forget, Pastors represent and are sent from God and are held more accountable for their sin and false teachings than any other human being. Shouldn't they all be educated to avoid making serious errors or even worse, heresy?

Yes of course they should be educated and know the Scriptures.
But not necessarily to a Master's degree, or above.

And that doesn't always guarantee a willingness to listen to the Holy Spirit.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Somehow the early church flourished without the influence of higher education. If Christians were encouraged to study the Bible for themselves and not get treated like idiots, they would be able to judge teachings for themselves.

The most influential believer is my life never attended Bible college. He was a true man of God, with wisdom and insight that comes from a relationship with Christ, not a university professor.

If university educated clergy are so essential, how come so many mainstream denominations are shrinking? It is the educated that have twisted God's word to justify same sex marriage and ordination of homosexuals. I have no degree in anything. My education is in the school of life, by the Holy Spirit, who is given to lead us into all truth.

I think we both know that it's folks from all walks of life and all educational levels, high or low, who can "twist" the Bible if they're not careful.

And in today's world where Freedom Rings, freedom allows people to be and remain aloof and unaccountable for "how" they think and how they interpret human communication, even that which is found in the Bible.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

In the PCA denomination, to be a Pastor requires a master of divinity or higher. Ensuring smooth operation and prevention of common issues. Roles such as elders, deacons, and treasurers do not necessarily require to have a master's degree in Divinity or equivalent, The question posed is whether all Christian denominations should adopt this standard. The argument for universal adoption includes:

1. Educated clergy are less likely to misinterpret scripture or provide misguided advice, as understanding ancient languages and biblical interpretation typically requires formal education.
2. Clergy without an education tend to have a low view of Scripture and they'll either twist the word of God or they'll declare it or church attendance unimportant when both are essential to the Christian faith. This can happen even from people with an education as well but it's much, much easier for this to happen in an uneducated clergy member than an educated one.
3. A uneducated clergy member can take advantage of its congregation and can abuse the authority given to them by God. Generally clergy who have an education tend to take God's word more seriously and will take their duty to educate, help and lead the flock of God. It takes an education in theology and pastorship to learn how to lead the flock of God and to help people come to Christ and to learn the importance of church worship.
4. It generally takes an education to understand the word of God and biblical interpretation should be left to the theologians and Clergy who know and understand what the word of God says.
5. (Biased opinion) A Pastor without an education is like a hunter without a gun. They are unequipped to handle everything that being the leader of a church entails and they tend to be as John MCarthur puts it, "unqualified".
   
   The suggestion is that these reasons validate the need for educational requirements across all Christian denominations to maintain high standards of leadership and guidance within the church.
   

Unfortunately, a degree in and of itself doesn't guarantee the quality of any pastor's interpretations of the Bible where reality and God are concerned.

 

[Stephen3141]

In the PCA denomination, to be a Pastor requires a master of divinity or higher. Ensuring smooth operation and prevention of common issues. Roles such as elders, deacons, and treasurers do not necessarily require to have a master's degree in Divinity or equivalent, The question posed is whether all Christian denominations should adopt this standard. The argument for universal adoption includes:

1. Educated clergy are less likely to misinterpret scripture or provide misguided advice, as understanding ancient languages and biblical interpretation typically requires formal education.
2. Clergy without an education tend to have a low view of Scripture and they'll either twist the word of God or they'll declare it or church attendance unimportant when both are essential to the Christian faith. This can happen even from people with an education as well but it's much, much easier for this to happen in an uneducated clergy member than an educated one.
3. A uneducated clergy member can take advantage of its congregation and can abuse the authority given to them by God. Generally clergy who have an education tend to take God's word more seriously and will take their duty to educate, help and lead the flock of God. It takes an education in theology and pastorship to learn how to lead the flock of God and to help people come to Christ and to learn the importance of church worship.
4. It generally takes an education to understand the word of God and biblical interpretation should be left to the theologians and Clergy who know and understand what the word of God says.
5. (Biased opinion) A Pastor without an education is like a hunter without a gun. They are unequipped to handle everything that being the leader of a church entails and they tend to be as John MCarthur puts it, "unqualified".
   
   The suggestion is that these reasons validate the need for educational requirements across all Christian denominations to maintain high standards of leadership and guidance within the church.
   

I agree, but with caveats.

Not EVERY graduate degree is relevant to having critical Bible study skills,
or teaching skills.

But, there is a high correlation between a lack of a college education, and
the odds that a person believes conspiracy theories. This indicates a
susceptibility of an uneducated person, to not having a properly developed
understanding of Epistemology, and a rigorous methodology to test whether
or not a proposition is TRUE. No one with a dysfunctional methodology of
testing what is TRUE, should be teaching in a Christian congregation.

I disagree that educated Christians, will more likely have a high view of Scripture.
Many anti-intellectual Protestant Fundamentalists have a high view of Scripture
(at least, their rhetoric claims this), but they misunderstand what human language
is, and what linguistic skills are. Their methodology of Scripture study is amateurish --
not their high view of Scripture.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I agree, but with caveats.

Not EVERY graduate degree is relevant to having critical Bible study skills,
or teaching skills.

But, there is a high correlation between a lack of a college education, and
the odds that a person believes conspiracy theories. This indicates a
susceptibility of an uneducated person, to not having a properly developed
understanding of Epistemology, and a rigorous methodology to test whether
or not a proposition is TRUE. No one with a dysfunctional methodology of
testing what is TRUE, should be teaching in a Christian congregation.

I disagree that educated Christians, will more likely have a high view of Scripture.
Many anti-intellectual Protestant Fundamentalists have a high view of Scripture
(at least, their rhetoric claims this), but they misunderstand what human language
is, and what linguistic skills are. Their methodology of Scripture study is amateurish --
not their high view of Scripture.

.... that's something we can agree on.

 

[Neostarwcc]

Agreed, but say you get a degree in Divinity for example one of your main classes is going to be about how to properly read and understand scripture and is going to be ancient Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic which are essential for getting an in depth study of the Bible and that is one reason why Pastors are so important because they can read the Bible as closely to as it was written as possible and your average joe like me is going to wonder the direct meaning of said passage because, I didn't go to school and they did. And this helps Christians like you and I grow. But you're right, not every school is going to teach this and not every future Pastor is going to use their teachings from school but imo, they should if they want to become great Bible Believing Pastors who are properly educated and equipped to lead the flock of God.

And you're right that there are Pastors (and Christians) out there who have never went to school and have a high view of Scripture I agree. But my main point was they're never going to have a true in depth study of the scriptures unless they can read the original manuscripts because English translations will always have translation errors. That is one reason why I will generally believe a Jew who makes an argument for Christ from the original Old Testament over a true Genuine Christian (or Pastor for that matter because Christ believing Jews are constantly educated with the tannach from the time theyre born and know more about the OT than anyone else) who can only read the Old Testament from an English translation. The Old Testament is just as important as the new if not maybe more.

 

[Lost4words]

Yes, they were. Not only were they taught by Jesus, had the Holy Spirit as guidance to interpret scripture and were given direct Revelation from God ..etc. But they also wrote parts of the Bible and knew the Bible in its original manuscripts. So yes, they were educated. Did they go to college? No. But college also didnt exist and they needed the teaching of Jesus to know and spread the gospe. They knew what they were talking about and that is the main argument for educating Pastors today.

Wrong. I was on about doctorates, degrees etc

 

[bèlla]

Education isn't a preventative for sin. Learned people may be less humble, crafty, or believe themselves more intelligent (in respect to the bible) than others. Knowledge puffs up after all.

For what it's worth they don't learn the languages. They learn enough for their assignments but they can't converse. The materials are seen through denominational and institutional biases. They don't color outside the lines nor are you taught to do so. You're taught to uphold the system.

I thought about going to divinity school and had a close relationship with someone at Trinity. She wasn't a cradle Christian or your typical evangelical. She came to faith through Derek Prince's resources and lived in a country primarily atheist. She understood true darkness. Not the sort frequently mentioned in America.

As a result she was more mature and rooted. Our bible study was miles ahead of the rest using the same materials because the makeup differed. Half the members came from other churches. The group was small but powerful. The gifts of the spirit were on full display. Including deliverance and we could PRAY!

They had more in common with the early church than any group I've been apart of since that period. We were hungry and anointed. The topics we addressed wouldn't be permitted elsewhere but the manna was good. Everyone contributed and we learned a lot from one another and broke bread together frequently.

I doubt the majority had a master's degree. But they were rich in rhema and knew how to get a prayer through. There's a lot of book smart believers but facts devoid of power is meaningless. When you walk with God long enough you learn the difference.

~bella

 

[GodBeMercifulToMeASinner]

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
—1 John 2:27

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
—John 14:26

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
—John 16:13

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
—1 Corinthians 2:13

“But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.”
—1 John 2:20-21

Nowhere in the scriptures is there any case of one seminary trained, salaried individual, yoked up to a paganized or secular government via 501c3 (or the equivalent in other nations) lording it over the same group of people week after week, month after month, year after year. Not one. In fact Apostle Paul worked jobs to help support his own ministry and missionary efforts. How many modern pastors out there today are willing to do that? He also counted all things before Christ (such as his extensive religious training) as loss (Philippians 3:8)

What exists today is a manmade paradigm based off of Ancient Greek theatre, and a mechanism of control. Every leader in the church (which is not a religious building, but God’s set apart ekklesia) should have an anointing from the Holy Spirit rather than papers from a manmade institution. But this modern Baal system we live under, which also reigns over the institutions of denominational weekend religion, would much MUCH rather have leadership trained by them, not God’s anointed, set apart people. Also, those within the modern religious system are more impressed with credentials of the world such as certification from manmade institutions (sinful partiality, James 2:9). The whole system is unbiblical. The assemblies of the biblical 1st century church in the NT had active participation (1 Peter 4:10-11, 1 Corinthians 14:26). Nowadays the only active participation is when the gold plates come around. The modern weekend religious system is first and foremost a means of control, and secondly, a multi billion dollar industry. This isn’t what Christ came to establish on earth until His return.

Anyone with the money can get religious degrees, which explains a lot of things actually. There’s plenty financial, spiritual, emotional, even child and sexual abuse within the religious system. And this is what happens when leadership is self & seminary appointed, rather than Holy Spirit anointed. When the pursuit of numbers, and revenue supersedes the pursuit of truth. When it is about control over the masses rather than freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1).