To What Degree Should a Pastor Continue His Education?
I often think about this and I wonder what you all think. I have noticed that many long time pastors are not familiar with some of the newer theological errors/developments. Things like the New Perspective on Paul, developments in high and low textual criticism, developments in Greek language study, and several other important theological concepts may be totally off a pastor’s radar. Several professional careers require continuing education credits. I am not suggesting anything compulsory but how does a pastor remain current?
How should a pastor deal with the fact that after seminary he is disconnected from formal training? I have heard some people suggest using theological blogs to know what to study. Conferences would be a huge benefit. I realize the enormous time constraints of ministry but maybe just taking one class a year would be possible. How about an online discussion forum set up through a seminary’s alumnus program with a book club that includes discussion? The seminary could suggest a book and the alumni could discuss it.
Is this a problem in your opinion and if so what are some solutions?
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I think this is a great question. When I first glanced at the title, I thought it was a question about whether a pastor should have an MDIV etc. I do not think that a pastor should ever complete his theological training no matter what level of formal education he has reached. The point is that we should be continuing to learn.
I like the idea of pastor’s fellowships where there is an opportunity to discuss some of these things. When I was in northern Iowa, we would get together and choose a book to read over the year and then discuss a few chapters each week. This opened up the discussion to a lot of topics and continued to keep us challenged. Josh, I like your other ideas as well. I hope others chime in with more ideas too. I know Central Seminary has many opportunities throughout the year for pastors and others to come up for a day for added learning. Perhaps a seminary could put together an online class once a year with updated topic overviews taught by multiple faculty members and sell it at a reasonalble rate that would both be affordable to pastors and an added revenue for the seminary or else we could just keep reading the Nick of Time ;)
There are plenty of options for busy Pastors to get continuing education. I’m a full-time Pastor with a lowly MA, but I’m plugging away at my MDiv one class at a time doing virtual classes.
If you’re on a budget and don’t care about another degree, then audit a class for a fraction of the price.
Take advantage of a summer module class that interests you; audit it if money is a factor.
Read blogs and engage in some issues. Research something that interests you and write about it.
Go to conferences. Go to robust Pastor’s fellowships where a group of you get together and actually discuss things; not the fellowships where everybody just takes turns preaching.
Tyler is a pastor in Olympia, WA and works in State government.
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