Does one need to have some sort of college degree? Or is a simple seminary and certificate all that's needed? The reason why I ask this is because I was talking to somebody who is a Catholic the other day. Anyway this person told me that the differences in terms of Catholic ministers and priests and a Protestant minister or whatnot is that the Catholic leaders need to have a college degree and all a Protestant leader needs is some kind of certificate. Is this true? If so then who would be considered to be better educated in terms of scriptural references?
2007-03-06 05:50:27 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The qualifications to become a Pastor are different for each Protestant church. Some denominations, such as the Methodist in which my father as a Pastor, require college degrees from regular colleges followed by ministerial training at a seminary or other specialized school of religion. My father held three masters degrees.
Other churches have their own program for training ministers which does not include regular college, but a Bible college which is usually able to grant a bachelors degree on graduations.
Others have simple gotten "the call", rented a building, and started a church. Some of those have been some of the most successful ministries around. The church I attend (and have for 25 years) was started that way. (The Pastor now, however, has a doctor's degree in theology.)
When you look in the Bible, there was a mixture among the prophets there. Some had formal training, and others simply got "the call". Elijah ran a school in which he training prophets. Elisha came out of that school. While Amos was simply a backwood shepherd who got "the call" one day and literally burned his bridges behind him. In his writings he states that he had no training as a prophet nor was the son of a prophet.
So in the Bible, God used both those who were formally trained and those who were not.
2007-03-06 06:05:13 · answer #1 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The congrigation may choose whom ever they wish to lead... however there are qualifications listed in The Bible... go to 1 Timothy chap.3...
Any educational requirements beyond what is in The Bible are determined by the ones hireing the Pastor.
The congrigation can "ordain" an individual a pastor. but some denominations require that the individual be approved and meet certain qualifications to be able to preach in the denominations name... and... all states require pastore to register and be approved by their congrigations or denomination in order to be able to preform marrages and other acts the state requires a licence for.
2007-03-06 06:01:46 · answer #2 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A man called by God, Filled with the Holy Spirit will be blessed by God more that a man with 10 degrees without God's blessings and is not lead,
equiped and Anointed by the Holy Spirit.
1 Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
2007-03-06 06:03:11 · answer #3 · answered by deacon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In most "mainstream" denominations pastors are ordained which generally means that they have at least a BA from a seminary/religious school.
Now, ordinations, I believe, are not legislated so any organization can ordain who ever they want. Generally though most ministers have at least a bachelors degree.
2007-03-06 06:00:37 · answer #4 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check with a Pastor, Elder, Minister, Priest or whatever of the
denomination that you're interested in. Prerequisites will vary.
2007-03-06 06:11:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One only needs a combination of hubris and chutzpah to be a religious leader.
Priests may need a college degree, but it is given to them by other priests, and you can find dumb rocks in any stream. Religious knowledge is based on fooling the most people for the maximum length of time, so how you feel after 'getting religion' is more important than the pedigree curriculum vitae of the minister.
2007-03-06 05:56:25 · answer #6 · answered by nora22000 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Many pastors do not have a college degree...
If God calls you to preach, you will have all the knowledge you need to preach His Word.....
2007-03-06 05:57:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
1 Timothy lays out all of these qualifications for us.
2007-03-06 05:58:14 · answer #8 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
hypocritical personality.
2007-03-06 05:53:49 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋