Seminary schooling???

I am being DRIVEN by God, thrown at His mercy, to enter into the world of pastoral leadership in order to awaken what remains of the deteriorating American church. My calling is huge and the urgency is immediate. I am now debating whether or not I should go into Seminary in order to have a degree, or if I should just "go." From the depths of my soul I feel that there is not enough time for me to go through any more schooling.
My question is: why? Why should I go to a college to be "accepted" by the mainstream as a pastor? In John 7:15, the Jews were astonished at Jesus' knowledge because of the fact that He was unschooled. Then again in Acts 4:13, it mentions that both Peter and John were uneducated. Multiple times throughout the Bible, there are instances where men of little stature and minimal to no education at all, were called to some of the highest roles in the advancement of His Kingdom. "Having" to buy an EXPENSIVE eduacation that takes years to carry out to me seems a lot like an act similar to that of the pharisees of Jesus' time. Not to mention the fact that MANY seminary schools avialbe today are actually preaching false doctrine, timidity, and this thing called "Christian Science" (not Biblical WHATsoever...)
Personally, to me, I feel that the Holy Spirit is all I need to accomplish the works of God, but there are many "elders" who are telling me that I need to go to Seminary in order to best fulfill God's purpose for me...
So basically, I don't feel a calling to go to school to become a man of God, for I know that God can use me as I am: dead to this world, alive in Christ. But would it help? Or could I go and at the same time, carry out god's purpose for me? Is the PRICE worth the teachings? Help me as I search for what exactly God wants me to do...

Tags: church, education, holy, pastor, preaching, reawaken, school, seminary, spirit, teaching

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Permalink Reply by Jason A on November 8, 2009 at 12:45pm

I dont think there is anything wrong with getting the education. Best to know as much as you can... BUT i don't think its a necessity to preach. that comes from the heart. But the books make sure the heart has the knowledge it needs.

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Permalink Reply by Caleb Davis on November 8, 2009 at 1:59pm

actually, the only Book one needs is the Bible along with the Holy Spirit's guidance and a willing heart. God didn't say anything about the use of schooling. He said to ask for wisdom and He would give it to you. I asked when I was a little kid, IU've been talking and discussing deep things with adults well into even their 50's since. I know God has more ways to teach than via books (other than the Bible).
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not agaisnt education, I just feel that it is a tricky thing to deal with because a man's knowledge will cause Him to fall. We are to pursue the fruits of the spirit (knowledge not included). So going to a Seminary can be benificial, if not necessary for many. But for those of us who are already willing to give it all for Christ, this world has nothing more to offer... The money and time spent in a school that might as well be teaching false doctrine could be wasted when held in comparrison with what else could've been done...

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Permalink Reply by Evangelist Jay Adams on November 8, 2009 at 4:26pm

Speaking from experience here Caleb ... If you seriously want to be considered as a pastor of just about any church of the majority of the denominations .. you will need some type of schooling or training because sadly most churches look at credentials first and anointing second.
thats not always the case, but 95% of the time thats how it is.

I know because i have ministered in hundreds of churches of all denominations and even with my Bible school training and Ordiantion, its still tough to break into some churches that look at seminary training as the rule.

with that said ... If you know that you are called by God to Pastor a church then i would encourage you to consider and pray about God leading you to start your own church. maybe start with a cell group and allow God to begin to multiply and increase the members, i have seen many churches start this way and most were started and pastored by men called by God but with no or limited schooling.

above all continue to seek God and He will direct your paths and open doors that no man can close!

Jay

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Permalink Reply by Jason A on November 8, 2009 at 5:40pm

Though i know my opinion differs from many, i think good knowledge of the world is what many Christians are lacking these days. our world is full of god given wonders that many Christians seem to ignore or be leary of. I think it is a huge problem in Christianity today. How can we preach on how to live in the world and be close to God if we dont have the knowledge of the world?

Caleb Davis said:

actually, the only Book one needs is the Bible along with the Holy Spirit's guidance and a willing heart. God didn't say anything about the use of schooling. He said to ask for wisdom and He would give it to you. I asked when I was a little kid, IU've been talking and discussing deep things with adults well into even their 50's since. I know God has more ways to teach than via books (other than the Bible).
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not agaisnt education, I just feel that it is a tricky thing to deal with because a man's knowledge will cause Him to fall. We are to pursue the fruits of the spirit (knowledge not included). So going to a Seminary can be benificial, if not necessary for many. But for those of us who are already willing to give it all for Christ, this world has nothing more to offer... The money and time spent in a school that might as well be teaching false doctrine could be wasted when held in comparrison with what else could've been done...

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Permalink Reply by Caleb Davis on November 8, 2009 at 7:47pm

thank you :) From the bottom of my heart, I thank you :)
Your words of wisdom and kindness are ever so encouraging and wise. I needed that. Honestly. My father hs told me, but the more I hear it, the more I am ebbed on and reaffirmed.
God Bless you

Jane Dickson said:

Waiting on God....during this time He will prepare you as a vessel, and also to prepare circumstances around your life so that you will be able to step forward into the proper sphere when His release comes to you.
Read Psalm 104:4
"Who makes....His ministers a flame of fire."
Caleb, God is setting you ablaze with His fiery passions in this hour in order that you might wait upon Him in holy passion and fiery ecstasy.

All you need is God, nothing else. He will provide for you, He will guide you, He will direct your footsteps. Remain completely and totally in Him...pray, pray, pray, talk to Him, be silent and let Him speak to you. Surround yourself with Him. Read your Bible, keep those words written on the tablet of your heart. Speak only when He fills your mouth...continue to trust in Him completely. You are such a blessing, Caleb....just focus, focus, focus only on Jesus.
Praise God for what He is igniting in your soul!!!! I'll be praying for you.

Love you dearly,
jane

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Permalink Reply by Caleb Davis on November 8, 2009 at 7:49pm

haha, yea, the more I pursue this, the more I realize that I've already made my mind up, I am just doule checking with other's opinions. Thank you so kindly for backing me up :)

God Bless

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Permalink Reply by Caleb Davis on November 8, 2009 at 7:56pm

Actually, I am already doing this :)
I have a smll group of "family" that is steadily increasing in number. We all have the same calling and desires and passion and are all being brought together by God. It's a beautiful thing actually. And truth be told, you are right about churches and their "pre-requisites." It's tough to break the shell of those churches, which probably is about 95% of the churches in America (but honestly, that 95% seems to be an accurate percentage of churches who have fallen off the straight path and have turned lukewarm or even gone so far as to preaching false doctrine).
I will continue to consider a potential study, but only for as long as it doesn't intefere with striving 100% after what God has set before me. (Then again, He might be calling me to Seminary, I'm just being too stubborn? this is why I posted this. I want to be SURE and have support from my family)

Evangelist Jay Adams said:

Speaking from experience here Caleb ... If you seriously want to be considered as a pastor of just about any church of the majority of the denominations .. you will need some type of schooling or training because sadly most churches look at credentials first and anointing second.
thats not always the case, but 95% of the time thats how it is.

I know because i have ministered in hundreds of churches of all denominations and even with my Bible school training and Ordiantion, its still tough to break into some churches that look at seminary training as the rule.

with that said ... If you know that you are called by God to Pastor a church then i would encourage you to consider and pray about God leading you to start your own church. maybe start with a cell group and allow God to begin to multiply and increase the members, i have seen many churches start this way and most were started and pastored by men called by God but with no or limited schooling.

above all continue to seek God and He will direct your paths and open doors that no man can close!

Jay

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Permalink Reply by Caleb Davis on November 8, 2009 at 8:02pm

hah, I will always continue in my studies both in scripture and the world arround me. That isn't going to stop, but I am doing i much more cost and time efficiently now at the university I am currently attending. I am attaining a very diverse and complex knowledge of the world arround me (Even to the microsopic lvl and beyond) and all of the secular theories. Honestly, I feel that a college campus is 1 of the HUGEST ministry potentials available, so I WILL continue studying. Plus, I do like to learn. I'm a bit of a nerd. I just don't want THAT to cost too much or require too much devotion for I want all my time, effort, and money to be put into God. I feel as if I would be another dot on the wall on a Christian campus attaining a degree in some kind of Christian affair...

Jason A said:

Though i know my opinion differs from many, i think good knowledge of the world is what many Christians are lacking these days. our world is full of god given wonders that many Christians seem to ignore or be leary of. I think it is a huge problem in Christianity today. How can we preach on how to live in the world and be close to God if we dont have the knowledge of the world?

Caleb Davis said:
actually, the only Book one needs is the Bible along with the Holy Spirit's guidance and a willing heart. God didn't say anything about the use of schooling. He said to ask for wisdom and He would give it to you. I asked when I was a little kid, IU've been talking and discussing deep things with adults well into even their 50's since. I know God has more ways to teach than via books (other than the Bible).
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not agaisnt education, I just feel that it is a tricky thing to deal with because a man's knowledge will cause Him to fall. We are to pursue the fruits of the spirit (knowledge not included). So going to a Seminary can be benificial, if not necessary for many. But for those of us who are already willing to give it all for Christ, this world has nothing more to offer... The money and time spent in a school that might as well be teaching false doctrine could be wasted when held in comparrison with what else could've been done...

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Permalink Reply by Jason Claus on November 9, 2009 at 4:17am

No man needs to go to seminary school to fulfill God's plan. All you need is the Word and the Holy Ghost, but not everyone who goes to seminary school are pharisees. Some are called some are not. I went to seminary school for two years and plan on returning some day. For me it was the best decision ever made. I was able to learn things through the teachers of the Church both past and present that took them life times to understand. That is why the Bible places the gift of teachers in the Church. That doesn't mean I'm at an advantage from those who don't attend it just means that my role of learning was placed into a different atmosphere than another, Why? God only knows.

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Permalink Reply by Evang. akanimoh raleigh on November 9, 2009 at 9:25am

God bless You Brother,
It depends on when,where and how God wants to us you.Its a decision you can not take on your own.
When i caught the fire years ago i came to this cross roads.God led me miraculously to a man of God-my mentor today
By his grace i was already seeing God manifesting in and through me.People would always tell me to enroll in bible school. when i come to secular things by His grace,people would say 'you must be a genus,further your education,go to the university and so on and so forth'.by His grace in my secondary school i was doing well.In trying to obey the suggestions of people,i struggled a couple of time to go to university but it never worked out for reasons i could not understand then
I became confused....which way? what do i do.
May be that is where u are are.
It depends on what God called you to do,where he wants you to minister,how and when.He may give you the anointing of preaching, understanding the word naturally and you lack discipline and obedience to the Holy Spirit .You can not get it in the theology school.He will take you to places and situations outside the walls of bible school to learn it so you will be complete.
I came (and still ) under seasoned man of God and by His grace,with what i get form the discipleship under him,i see no necessity for seminary/theology school because what i have learn't from God through Him is scarcely obtained in bible schools of today.I understood i needed to pass through some disciplinary situations.And the Holy Spirit has used it tremendously to teach,change and mold and bless me.All i did was to surrender totally to God.Infact i used to say a prayer like this:"Lord,if i wake up tomorrow and fine my self still here,i will know that its were you want me to be,because i have surrendered my will to you.i don't want to follow my mind and make mistakes" I lost all ambitions of becoming this and that....i never had one of being a preacher either,but Today,I have no regret in saying that God was directing my life.
I have read of Smith Wigglesworth,unlatered but mighty in wonders and in the word through the Holy Spirit.I also know of Mighty men in word,signs and wonders who attended schools.

God knows us better,who we are and what we need.Keep the relationship alive through obedience to His words and promptings of the Holy Spirit.He will speak to direct you in His time in in His way.He will perfect all that concern you.

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Permalink Reply by Caleb Davis on November 9, 2009 at 8:21pm

well said :) and I completely agree. If I didnt get my point completely celar (just in case), I'm not against seminary for others, just me... but we will see where God takes me for I could be wrong?