On Monday I posted a question left by one of this blog’s readers.  Since then a few of you have left some helpful thoughts, ideas, and questions in response to Michael’s question.  In fact, before reading further, take a look at these comments.

Michael’s question taps into things I’ve thought about quite a bit over the past decade.  Here are some thoughts his comment brought to mind:

• American churches are desperately in need of people who understand their role in God’s mission in the world.  The heritage of the pastor/layperson divide still haunts us with devastating results.  For too long we have understood ministry to be the job of paid pastors while other Christians are simply supposed to live moral lives.  What is needed today are Christians who understand that by virtue of identifying with Christ they are automatically identified with Christ’s mission.
• Some folks will disagree with me on this one, but I strongly believe that the role of any paid pastor is primarily to equip and enable those whom they serve to participate fully in God’s mission.  Certainly that role can play out in many different ways, but the connection to equipping the saints must never be lost.  I would question a desire to be a pastor if that desire isn’t related with equipping others for ministry.
• I resonate strongly with Michael’s question: Why so much emphasis on an education that only shows that you are willing to jump through the hoops and toe the religio-political lines? Most seminary educations seem unconnected to a particularly Christian understanding of discipleship.  Seminaries seem to do an excellent job of preparing one’s mind, but I’m unconvinced of their effectiveness at preparing future pastors for the realities of church ministry.  I say this as one whose education has consisted mostly of on the job training.  I am in pastoral ministry because of the affirmation and equipping I received as a member of my church and not because of a seminary degree.
• Another quick complaint about seminaries: unless you already live near the school, they generally require students to relocate from their church communities in order to attend.  Many seminarians go through their education unattached to a group of Christians who they worship with, pray with, recreate with, work with, etc.  In addition to exacerbating the pastor/layperson divide, this seems like a strange way to prepare for a life of ministry in which relationships and community will be paramount.

Having not remotely answered the original question, here are a few additional thoughts:  Continue serving diligently in your local church.  Find mentors who will speak honestly to you about your gifts and weaknesses.  Live a balanced life so that your hours of church ministry can be done joyfully and with excellence.  Interact with pastors and Christian leaders who won’t judge your abilities based on a diploma.  Pray for opportunities to advance the mission of God in your local context.  Constantly look for ways to encourage and equip those you are serving with.  Look for ways to give other people the credit when things go well and be willing to take the blame with stuff doesn’t work out.  Be a student whether or not you’re taking seminary classes.  Read books that cover the ministry spectrum.   Foster relationships with those who understand your passion and worldview and who will encourage you regardless of your career.

Additions, suggestions, reactions?