I Wish To Become A Pastor or Theologian..?

Question

Someday I intend to become a Pastor or Theologian, living out a life of faith. I realize it will not be easy, but I feel it is a "calling" and this is truly what my heart is devoted and dedicated to, and I am surely willing to go forward with determination and will-power.. I am 14.. I am of Lutheran denomination, so yes, they recognize female Pastors, and yes, I would be allowed to marry and raise a family. But I want to know, what are some things I can do now? I am as involved with the church I attend as I can be, and I often write about my thoughts on faith, Christianity, etc... Currently I am reading, "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis...

How can I tell, over time, if it is my true "calling" to become a Pastor or a Theologian... I have the ambition for either.. I can do the research and the discussions, etc..That would go along with becoming a Theologian. I also have a desire to actually "spread the word' in terms of becoming a Pastor...

Any advice appreciated. Thanks. God bless!

Please realize I am not asking for you to make a decision for me, I'm just asking for any advice you would be willing to offer out of the kindess of your heart. And, yes, maybe there is no clear cut idea of what exactly the question is here, but please, just based on what you read here in my question, give me your input on anything. Thank you dearly.

lookn2cjc- I respect your beliefs...However I attend a church with a female Pastor and feel she is just a phenominal Pastor and I wouldn't have it any other way. Men & women both make wonderful Pastors in my opinion, as long as their heart is truly for it and in the right place. As much as I am respecting and accepting of your beliefs, I am open to change, but I cannnot stray a bit from this belief of my own.

Answer 1

There are two tings that are paramount in your life if you want to be a spiritual leader and they are a solid knowledge of the Bible and a life that is righteous. The stumbling block to getting solid knowledge of the Bible is learning about the Bible but not learning it. The tendency in Bible schools and Seminaries today is to get you spending all your time reading what the "scholars" have to say about the Bible. The frustrating part with that is that there are "scholars" backing every point of view. My suggestion, before you get into your official training, spend those years just reading, memorizing and studying the Bible yourself, so that no one can mislead you.
As far as the second point, the next few years will be the most difficult time to live a righteous life for you. There are no preasures on us to compromise our moral values greater then when you are a young person. You could make some moral mistake that could keep you from ever beng what you want to be. I do not mean that people will limit you because of your morals and values, but God will. Determine to keep your life pure and truthful in all circumstance.
I would suggest that you read a little devotional by a man named Oswald Chambers called "My Umost fo His Highest" It is on spiritual maturity. You can readt every day on line. God bless you.
Retired Pastor

http://www.rbc.org/utmost/index.php?month=01&day=08&year=07

Answer 2

I did some research for you, but had trouble finding what I've read before. Bottom line though, it doesn't entirely make sense. Luther had a complex theological argument that he believed in, but all complex theological arguments work from a long history of assumptions. At any stage there can be something that is incomprehensible to those who aren't intimately tied up in that aspect of the tradition. I wouldn't say that Luther's negative view came suddenly, but rather that he changed what he wanted to do with it. There may have been a nominal trigger (the most common scholarly explanation seems to be a request from a rabbi for Luther's help in getting him an audience with a Saxon prince who had issued edicts preventing any Jew from working or traveling through the region (1536)), but his anti-Jewish views were rooted in the anti-Jewish theology that has been woven into Christianity from the earliest stages of its canon. The Lutheran Synod has officially denounced Luther's late writings. Their explanation is basically that Luther was old and cranky. Perhaps they're even right.

Answer 3

First of all, I would suggest that you read the bible, learn Koine Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin and German languages. You will spend a lot of time working with the original texts of the Holy Scriptures and church documents in those languages. If you are looking for theological books to start reading, then I would start with the "Book of Concord 1580" to start with. If you intend to be a Lutheran minister, you will study the Lutheran Confessions a great deal. I would also suggest reading "God So Loved The World" by Lyle W. Lange
http://online.nph.net/cgi-bin/site.pl?10418&productID=150727

I would like to point out that C.S. Lewis was reformed in his theology and not Lutheran. And that when you say that the Lutheran denomination ordains women you need to qualify that. Only one synod in the United States ordains women. The rest of the synods do not.
Good luck.

Answer 4

I'm glad you won't have to change denominations.

My dad's a minister and I went to seminary for a year before dropping out.

Just keep reading. Read all that you can get your hands on. If you can do so, take New Testament Greek and Old Testament Hebrew before you finish college.

And if my dad's career is any signal, much of your time will be spent counseling parishioners. So be prepared to have some psycholgical training under your belt. People will tell you things that will shock you, and you probably need to have some understanding of mental illness so you can recognize it and know when to make a referral to a better trained professional.

Good luck. You're young, and you may change your mind about feeling called, but you will not regret studying one bit.

.

Answer 5

I agree with Bob B

if you haven't talked with your pastor yet
you need to do so right away

find out what the regulations and schooling are for your denomination as some form of college or seminary education will be required by most mainline denominations.

and if things don't work out....
The United Methodist Church would like to talk to you...heeheehee

hope that helps

Jesus Loves You

Answer 6

My wife and I both are pastors. Just continue in your walk, go to church every chance you can, and ask your pastor to give you something to do even if its sweeping floors. As you continue you will be given more and more responsibility. Keep your grades up in school to prepare yourself for college. Find a good Bible College and go there and then go on to Seminary. Each time you stretch yourself a door will open for you. If doors don't open after many tries, maybe this is not your calling. Don't give up. Keep your reputation above all things.

Answer 7

I don't want to seem unkind, Honey, but the Bible says that a Pastor is to be the "Husband" of one wife, meaning a man. We are ALL called to be theologians of the Bible as Christians, but I believe according to scripture that a woman is out of God's will if they try to be a Pastor or Preacher.

God Bless you
xx

EDIT:

Just remember Dear, this is not my opinion, but God's. It's HIS WORD, Right?

Answer 8

i would talk to mypastor for some guidance on how I can get involved in the ministry. find out some good schools to go to and what you need to do in order to get in.

Answer 9

Pray. I can pray for you too. (I'm 15). Take theology courses; even if you don't end up with this job, being more knowlegeable about it won't hurt.