why do i need colloge to fulfull gods work

[getch]

i have been called to become a minister at the end of my enlistment with the airforce. my biggest problem is weather or not to go to colloge and recieve my "cerditionals" or to go the old fashion way. paul didn't have any certificate saying he could preach the gospel why should i. plus is bible colloge realy that helpful. a lot of great pastors never went to colloge why should we in to days sociaty have to go. thanks and god bless

 

[Kalista]

I don't think you really need to, but if you're ever going to be appointed anywhere you really need your education. You could go without it and start your own, but it really is better to have that college behind you to give you a boost!

 

[Justin The Baptist]

i have been called to become a minister at the end of my enlistment with the airforce. my biggest problem is weather or not to go to colloge and recieve my "cerditionals" or to go the old fashion way. paul didn't have any certificate saying he could preach the gospel why should i. plus is bible colloge realy that helpful. a lot of great pastors never went to colloge why should we in to days sociaty have to go. thanks and god bless

Paul spent years studying, he was a Pharisee. Education is a key part of effective ministry. There are certain aspects of ministry that you shouldn't learn on the fly.

 

[fishstix]

i have been called to become a minister at the end of my enlistment with the airforce. my biggest problem is weather or not to go to colloge and recieve my "cerditionals" or to go the old fashion way. paul didn't have any certificate saying he could preach the gospel why should i. plus is bible colloge realy that helpful. a lot of great pastors never went to colloge why should we in to days sociaty have to go. thanks and god bless

If you ever need to write something for your congregation - perhaps a message in the church bulletin, having an education will help you out greatly. People will be much more likely to accept the content of a well written message than of a poorly written one. Things like spelling and grammar count. Also, one very poorly written message may cause people to begin to question your spoken messages as well.

Also, if you intend to be a pastor, be aware that many denominations require their pastors to be accredited. Generally, that requires some sort of education.

 

[Mandrake]

If you want to be a pastor, please get a decent education. I always have a hard time taking a pastor who doesn't know his stuff seriously. In my experience, pastors with an education tend to be more able to learn new things over thecourse of their ministry, and are less resistent or distrustful of people who know more than they do.

 

[Shyguyelite]

Interesting question. I can't answer it.

Have fun.

 

[oneshot012]

Education is like tools every trade has tools ( I am a bible college student and asked myself this same question by the way) and we need to learn how to use these tools. Let me tell you the tools I have learned in Bible college have helped me immensely I can read greek now and that has made my preaching so much more deep and greater and that doesn't mean that it becomes boring it makes it more exciting for instances in John 6 when Jesus looks over the multitude before he feeds them the word there for see is to theorize meaning he theorized their needs that he cared for him so much that he thought of their needs now without a knowledge in greek and word study tools you would never know that you would just read "lifting up his eyes" and be o Jesus looked at the people and saw there was a lot. But that is not the only reason it gives you a great base for theology which is vital good theology gives you a great backgound and finally it keeps you disciplined. And don't forget as someone else said Paul was extremely studied probably the most studied of his day for he called him self a Pharisee of Pharisees. Now that is something and with a little study you will know how the Pharisee's are and be able to tell me much about them off the top of your head as I could but I won't take the time. Also Moses had the greatest education of his time. Now you can well Peter wasn't but who wrote most of the NT Paul and who wrote the most imporant books of the OT Moses. Not Aaron who was annointed High Priest but Moses who was highly educated.

Also just to let you know I am a Pentecostal/Charismatic believer also and I pray in tongues and read Smith Wigglesworth and believe God is going to use me in a powerful healing ministry. But I still am going to school and getting my credintial because I am not going to close any door. I grew up in the bars and ride a harley so I can talk to a biker but yet I can read greek and talk academics with the best of them. So I don't limit myself. Strech yourself and watch God use you.

Well I pray the Lord's will be done with you and follow his leading most of all. Pray hard.

I hope this blesses you.

 

[HilariousChristian]

It is so important to be Fathered by the Lord. It would be good for you to be able to come under a spiritual father first. In order to father, you must be fathered. Like the centurian said, inorder to have authority, you must be under authority. If this is the call of God on your life, then I know for a fact that God will fulfill your every need. NO! I do not believe you need to go to college to be a preacher. My dad never did, but he is a very anointed preacher of God and has been in full time ministry for 25+ years. If his early years, he had a spiritual father who taught him well. Pray earnestly for God's will and He will be faithful to answer.

 

[Tranceformer110]

You probably could do it without education, but it most likely will be a longer harder road just like any other vocation. Bible college will train you in areas you just couldn't get without. Bible interpreting, sermon delivery, sermon writing, apologetics, counseling etc...These are all areas you'll need training in. Kind of hard to get that on your own.

 

[Sketcher]

The apostle Peter and D.L. Moody are two excellent examples of uneducated ministers. But ask God whether it's Him telling you not to get an education or your own feelings. Be careful with that, we can fool ourselves if we want or fear something bad enough.

 

[erin74]

i have been called to become a minister at the end of my enlistment with the airforce. my biggest problem is weather or not to go to colloge and recieve my "cerditionals" or to go the old fashion way. paul didn't have any certificate saying he could preach the gospel why should i. plus is bible colloge realy that helpful. a lot of great pastors never went to colloge why should we in to days sociaty have to go. thanks and god bless

Like others said - Paul was highly educated. He was also writing in his own language. The bible was not, as you know, written in english, so if you want to understand it the best it's best to know how to read it in the language it was written in. My dh says it's like reading in colour as opposed to black and white.

You will also find you get more respect from the people in your church as a general rule. They like to think you understand what your doing.

Bible college won't give you all the answers, but it will help you to know the right questions and how to go about finding the answers. People coming out of bible college usually realise how much they don't know, compared to when they went in.

I dunno if that helps at all.

erin

 

[awesome liver]

Like others said - Paul was highly educated. He was also writing in his own language. The bible was not, as you know, written in english, so if you want to understand it the best it's best to know how to read it in the language it was written in. My dh says it's like reading in colour as opposed to black and white.

You will also find you get more respect from the people in your church as a general rule. They like to think you understand what your doing.

Bible college won't give you all the answers, but it will help you to know the right questions and how to go about finding the answers. People coming out of bible college usually realise how much they don't know, compared to when they went in.

I dunno if that helps at all.

erin

unless you're a business or an elementary ed major of some sort.

 

[PrincessFromOz]

I'm studying at Bible College, and even in my first year I'm seeing myself change, grow and mature in my faith like I never thought I would. Even Jesus learned the Scriptures as a Jewish boy. I'd highly recommend you doing at least some Bible College. But again you need to find out what God is saying to you about this.

 

[handmaiden97]

I dont believe you need a degree to serve God. God does not call the capable, but He does equip the called. However I do beleive it is wise to get a good foundation in the word. You can do that by attending college, reading books, going through a training course or spending all the time you can in the word.

Course it depends alot on the church denomination you work with....do they require a degree? Or are you just going to start a new church? Is that really needed? Just some questions for you to think of

 

[Justin The Baptist]

One thing they'll teach you in colloge [sic] is how to actually spell "college." Hehe

All joking aside, to properly preach the Scripture you must know it intimately. Many years of intensive schooling will greatly increase your knowledge of Scripture, and it's application. Just be very careful what school you choose to attend, and the seminary(s) you will attend in the future. Make sure they are preaching sound, Conservative *biblical* doctrine.

 

[Mandrake]

Unless you're not involved in a particularly conservative denomination, in which case you should probably look for a more progressive school. Tailor your education to help you acheive your goals.

 

[Justin The Baptist]

Unless you're not involved in a particularly conservative denomination, in which case you should probably look for a more progressive school. Tailor your education to help you acheive your goals.

Well, if you're willing to just tailor the Bible to your needs than this is what you should do. If you want to learn what the Bible says follow my advice. Paul predicted this, though:

"3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."- 2 Tim. 4:3-5

 

[Jonahan]

The apostle Peter and D.L. Moody are two excellent examples of uneducated ministers.

Actually, Peter studied intensely for 3 years under the best professor the world has ever known. And it's funny that you would mention Moody, since one of his greatest legacies is the Moody Bible Institue, an educational institution, which he founded. =)

In my opinion, nobody needs a college education to fulfull God's work, unless the work God has in mind for that person can be better done with a college education. Pastoring is, I believe, an example of such a job.

I would consent that there are a few reasonable alternatives to going to graduate school and getting a Masters of Divinity degree, but in my opinion, an undergraduate degree is simply essential for any vocation that requires continual researching and writing.

 

[fuzzyh]

I certainly don't think that a pastor MUST have an education from a Bible college or seminary. However, every pastor I know has hand to spend time learning. I have a higher degree than my pastor. However, he has studied a lot. He spent one year in Bible college and then spent a lot of time studying on his own. Certainly, there are times when I have more knowledge about certain subjects, but I also don't have the experience overall that he has. I way more advance in apologetics, bibliology and systematic theology than him. But, he is WAY better at preaching/teaching, counseling and other practical type things.

Back to the main topic, every effective pastor that I have ever known without a college degree, has had to study a lot. In fact, they probably study more than someone with a degree, because they have to look harder to answer their questions. The amount of study must be large. Remember as a pastor, you represent God to people. This is not in a sense that the pastor is a high priest, because every Christians is a priest, but people look to the pastor as to what God is saying about things. Do you want to represent God incorrectly? Especially, when you don't know any better?

There are many great ways to study to show yourself approved as a workman of God. I've mentioned these in other replies. Southern Evangelical Seminary has a M.Div degree that you can pursue. Also, Trinity School of Apologetics and Theology is another option. Both of these it seems will prepare you as a pastor better.

 

[reverend B]

Well, if you're willing to just tailor the Bible to your needs than this is what you should do. If you want to learn what the Bible says follow my advice. Paul predicted this, though:

"3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."- 2 Tim. 4:3-5

sound doctrine is not necessarily the inerrant word of the bible. we must take responsibility for our understanding of scripture, and that includes the methods we choose to use for hermeneutics, or applying exegetical concepts to todays reality. you believe that one can simply read the bible and if it says it, it is true for all time and that ends it. most people, even conservatives, have found that to be an impossible burden to carry. stoning of unruly adult children is frowned upon these days, as is slavery, but they are both condoned in scripture. we all make choices regarding scripture, and we all think the reasons we have for making the choices we do are excellent. my admiration goes out to those who think seriously about scripture given the quantum advances in knowledge we have experienced over 2000 years and bring an intellectual integrity to the process of understanding Holy scripture. we can not pretend that we haven't discovered a great deal in 20 centuries that impacts our understanding of God's great creation. we need not fear knowledge. it simply helps to reveal the awesome nature of who we worship.
live to learn, so you might learn to live.