A church is not solely a vehicle for evangelism and instruction to the newly saved, but a place where the family of believers can mature as Christians. And a Pastor's depth on the theology of Christianity is very valuable.
That's why I say _IN GENERAL_ a seminary education is a vital part of a Pastor's background and GENERALLY preferable to homeschooling
My Friend,
On that we'll have to agree to disagree. I have had both kinds of Pastors. I have seen the evidence of both kinds of ministries beyond the one's I've personally experienced.
The difference is not seminary. The difference is how much they study the Word of God and how the Spirit of God is at work in their lives. It's not about the mind, it's about the Spirit of God.
I don't really care what a person's education background is. If he or she is teaching, I want to know that they are solid in the Word of God and are following him.
I don't really care about explanations of deeper theological issues. Most of them have little bearing on a believer's every day life. But if it is something they need, God wants the believer to go to his word, to seek him out. God is quite capable of speaking truth to that individual.
It happens in my life on a regular basis. My faith says when I open God's word, when I meditate on it, when I ask him questions- he'll show me.
Regardless of our difference of opinions though, I respect yours and I know that many in the Church do find comfort in having someone who has a seminary education. If that's important to them, then I pray the Lord blesses them with a pastor with a great seminary educationa and a great heart for God.
Be Blessed in the name of Jesus
Yours in Christ,
John
I really think we are close to agreement if you and I could frame an issue in the same light.
You continue to add additional (but arguably relevant) conditions and factors into my simple generalized conclusion which makes your rebuttal actually to a different point than the one I made.
It's as if I said "GENERALLY white cars are cooler in temperature than black cars," and you are replying using factors such as window tinting and air conditioning. These are vaulable on the whole because they are all factors in the temperature of a car, but aren't rebuttals to my point.
So, I think we agree that a "good" pastor has many qualities and that some qualities are more important than educational background. I wasn't arguing that point.
My point essentially is that all other things being equal, it is preferable that a pastor that leads a congregation have theological training at a good school. I've had to add the "all other things being equal" because you are throwing additional variables my way to what was intended to be a simple point about the value of education and tutelage of other godly men.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion on these issues, but we'll disagree amicably (and I'll let this be my last post on this subject).