2006-12-03 10:13:29 · 5 answers · asked by suburban145 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Those who have answered that you need schooling are correct. In many cases, churches want their pastors not only to have attended a Bible college (think Moody Bible Institute or Lincoln Christian College), but they also want them to have attended seminary.
However, I know of two men who are pastors in my church who did not obtain seminary degrees. Rather, they began by serving in their church, learning all they could by being mentored by other wise men, and then gradually began assuming more responsibility. Eventually, the leadership of the church recognized the gifting and calling these two men had on their lives, and they asked them to come on staff.
One thing I'd really encourage, which is something you can easily do on your own or through a formal institution, is to learn Greek and Hebrew. (Hebrew being more difficult, in my opinion.) Those two languages will help you navigate through the umpteen translations of the Bible, getting to the core of the message without modern (or ancient) English messing you up. While I'm not a pastor, I have found the ability to do a word study in the Greek is so totally helpful in understanding tough Biblical passages.
One last thing.......never let your ability to pay for school or the time you would have to devote stop you. If God has called you to pastor others, He will be faithful to get you to that place. Two people who "pastor" me with great wisdom and love are a couple who have some Bible college training, but are not formally in paid ministry. My home church wouldn't be the same without this faithful couple.
2006-12-03 10:32:05 · answer #1 · answered by Inkling 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most christian religions require schooling before anyone can be ordained as a pastor or minister or priest.
LL
2006-12-03 10:17:52 · answer #2 · answered by LeapingLizard 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on your denomination. Most require some post-graduate training in Divinity, either a Master's degree or more. Some require training in some seminary.
Still, others feel they have a calling and just start their own church. It all depends.
2006-12-03 10:17:35 · answer #3 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you have to go to school just like any other profession. My brother is a pastor.
2006-12-03 10:17:07 · answer #4 · answered by Stand 4 somthing Please! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lobotomy, brain damage or just not being intelligent is a good start.
2006-12-03 10:27:20 · answer #5 · answered by The Chaos Within 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋