Discerning Seminary
Rev. Dr. Bob Mentze
It was [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13, NIV)
Are you called by God?
This is something that will become more clear to you as you go through seminary. Your call will either be confirmed or it will be clear that this is not the direction that God wants you to go.
Charles Spurgeon identified the first sign of God’s call to the ministry as “an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work.” Those called by God sense a growing compulsion to preach and teach the Word, and to minister to the people of God.
This sense of compulsion should prompt the believer to consider whether God may be calling them to the ministry. Has God equipped you with the gifts necessary for ministry? Do you love God’s Word and feel called to teach? Has God gifted you with the fervent desire to preach?
Spurgeon warned those who sought his counsel not to preach if they could help it. But he went on to say that if a person cannot help it, and they must preach or die, then God is calling.
That sense of urgent commission is one of the central marks of an authentic call.
To paraphrase another great British preacher, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, if there is anything else a person can do other than preach, then they ought to do it. The pulpit is no place for that person. The ministry is not merely something an individual can do, but what he/she must do.
One should also consider whether that are affirmed by others. Have friends and/or family members recognized suitable gifts in you? Have you served in the church or other Christian ministries in a way that was both satisfying and productive? Have church leaders affirmed your sense of call?
Why seminary education?
This education marries understanding of God and His Word with real life skills so that students are able to minister with excellence in the church community and the world.
As you consider enrolling in seminary, some questions you should ask yourself are:
What is your goal?
Do I need to go to seminary to reach that goal?
Am I ready to take on this commitment?
Additional questions to ask yourself:
Do I like being a student?
Pastoral ministry is being a life-long student, preparing sermons, Bible studies, etc.
Am I comfortable speaking in front of others?
Whether preaching, teaching, or leading meetings, you must be able to speak publicly.
Do you have a strong feeling that this is what God is calling you to do?
If there are other vocations that are “just as good”, perhaps you should do that.
What barriers do you see (personal, family, financial, timing, etc.) to attending seminary? To entering full-time ministry?
Are you going to seminary/entering full-time ministry because of others’ expectations or a sense of obligation?
Have you received confirmation of your sense of call from your church, your pastor, or other Christians?