A question about so called "lay ministry:" Why would I listen to a laymen concerning salvation?

Question

Only a little over a fourth of the population have achieved my education level. Why would I entrust a less educated personwith my salvation?
I have been tested by the state for my ability to read and comprehend complex documents. How then is someone with less education supposed to guide me? It makes no sense whatsoever.

Answer 1

Since you obviously know more than everyone else in the world (other than the rest of that 25%), then why are YOU not using your knowledge to lead and guide people toward the truth? Christ had none if any formal education as did his apostles. Same with Moses and Abraham. Let's not forget about modern genuises like Einstein. Look at what these men accomplished. Let's not forget that education can be a bad thing, Adolph Hitler. He was a genius as well, and look at the horror he brought on an entire race of people.

But then again...if you were actually THAT educated...you would know that a "lay ministry" just means "unpaid".

Get over yourself and go to church!

Answer 2

I have met many people with doctorates and above in various areas, and were dissapointed with their depth. I know people who were ranked in the bottom half of their class that outscore the number one ranked individuals in their class on ACT's and other general test. I don't know where you are on theological issues. If you are a christian or theist of any sort, it seems you would like to spend more time glorifying yourself than anything else. If you are a theist, and you do believe in salvation, then God often chooses the weak to carry out his message, and surely isn't impressed by all of your vast knowledge. I am sure that many individuals had more education than Jesus, but that does not mean they have obtained any authority on the issue. In the 'real' world, not "peter O land" having more education isn't always indicitive of superiority. In every job I've ever worked at, there have been people with phd's behind their names that were completely incapable of doing their said jobs. "As steel sharpens steel, one man sharpens another." I don't know if you could benefit from this, unless you just hang out with that 25% who have a higher education than you. For being so intelligent, you haven't avoided appearing very obvious. Do you own any intro or intraspective intelligence? If you did, you would understand the value of humility, and understand how unattractive and how ineffective your communication just was. I am curious what the point of this question is? Are you insecure, and need to project your superiority over these lowly "lay ministers", or are you really that convinced of your greatness? Jesus came from a small town, from an unremarkeable family, and lived the life of a carpenter. He did not obtain higher levels of education and he has done more to effect the world, and get people talking about the word salvation than any other figure. Whatever you believe about Jesus, he has done more for this topic than you or I ever will, and he done it without letters behind his name, but I'm sure you will be fine, I mean you are in the top 25 % of all humanity. That is where the truly noteworthy individuals are. What would I know? I don't hang out with the elite's with the trademark rights on salvation.

Answer 3

Jesus Christ was a lay minister. He didn't have the learning of the pharisees or the saducees. You shouldn't trust your salvation with a person, you should trust your salvation with God.
I do understand what you are saying though. Why would I go to a second grade math teacher to learn about calculus right? I'm LDS and I believe in teaching by the power of God. God knows a whole bunch more than all of us. If we can teach by his power it doesn't matter if we are in the top 25% of the population in regards to education. That said, I still think we should be as educated as possible.
In general you should let the power of God guide you. Let His influence tell you if what someone is telling you is wrong or right.

Answer 4

God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confined the wise::::What you think of your self speaks of pride because of your world learned knowledge,so God uses the people that you see as weak, to teach you what only a humble man or woman of God can hear..But there is hope for any on who truly want to know about God,, that even a child can understand and its available to any one who ask..
The reason i type this is beause I am a Lay Minister and I do my job so that all can really now the truth about Jesus

Answer 5

"Lay" ministry simply means that the people running this ministry are volunteers, not professionals.

And a "ministry" is a general catch-all term that can refer to any free service, such as driving old people to their doctor's appointment, for example. It does not have to be teaching the gospel.

What's your problem with volunteers? A self educated person can be just as informed and intelligent as someone with a degree.

Answer 6

Do you fly your own plane? Do you write you own prescriptions? Do slaughter your own meat for food?

Perhaps you are not qualified as an expert in every field of study.

Additionally, there is a huge difference between knowledge and application. You may be able to comprehend what the New Testament says, but are you able and willing to apply it to your life?

Answer 7

Use your mind to study the scripture. Understand that uneducated doesn't mean stupid. A stupid man cuts off sources of wisdom. I have 3 degrees. Still I often find myself blessed by the people in my churches that others might call simple. When we know we are empty inside, then we can be filled. Don't let your education deprive you of spiritual happiness.

Answer 8

Why would someone of elitist stature listen to a lowly carpenter's son and to lowly fishermen?

Hey maybe you'll find some religion that satisfies your sense of personal pride. But you won't find it is Christianity. Christianity is only for the humble.

Answer 9

Why not? Amos was a farmer, and he has a book in the Bible!
Peter was a fisherman, and he delivered the first gospel sermon, and 3,000 responded! The Jewish leaders recognized that these 'unlearned and ignorant" men had something. They had been with Jesus!
God uses whomever He chooses, simple, but wise, or learned fool.
Get off your high horse and learn something!

Answer 10

Does this person have WISDOM?
If so, take what you can from what he is saying.
I have family members who I value for their wisdom who have never finished high school.
I am the first person in my family, including my parents, to attend college. But I will still look up to my lesser educated mentors to continue my learning.