Who is responsible for training pastors?
9MarksMost evangelicals believe the answer to that question is obvious: seminaries are responsible. A man who decides he wants to be a pastor should go to seminary, get a degree, and then presto! He’s ready to be a pastor.
What are some practical ways that churches can invest in training pastors?
9MarksHere are several ways that whole congregations can get involved in training pastors:
What are some of the most important things for a pastor-in-training to learn?
9MarksHow important is seminary training?
9MarksSeminary training is one way to develop some tools that are useful for pastoral ministry. Specifically, seminary is a good place to learn theology, church history, the biblical languages, and the tools of exegesis.
On the other hand, personal ministry within the local church is absolutely essential training for a pastor. It is in the local church that a man’s character is formed and assessed, that he learns how to disciple and counsel others, and that he learns how to preach and teach.
Should a pastor visit every member of his church who is hospitalized?
9MarksThat question is impossible to answer in the abstract, so here are some principles to help a pastor think through what kind of a priority he should give to visiting hospitalized church members.
How can I decide whether or not I should be a pastor?
9MarksTraditionally, Christians have referred to two kinds of “call” a man must experience before entering the pastorate: an internal call and an external call. While the word “call” is potentially misleading, the basic idea is right. Before becoming a pastor, a person should both desire to do the work and receive confirmation from a church. Part of doing both involves considering the biblical qualifications of an elder.
Does a pastor have to be “called” by God?
9MarksOn the one hand, there seems to be no biblical indication that the New Testament office of elder or pastor requires a special “calling.”
As I look for an existing church to pastor, what should I look for in a church?
9MarksA number of factors might compel a man searching for a pastorate toward one church or another. But there are at least two factors that, from the standpoint of prudence, are non-negotiables:
Are there unwise ways to do a pastoral search?
9MarksWhat tips do you have on doing a pastoral search wisely?
9MarksIf you’re interviewing to be the pastor of a new church, what are some questions you should be sure to ask?
9MarksA. Theological Questions 1. What is the church’s statement of faith? 2. What has been the most vexed theological question the church has faced? Has there ever been a church split over theology or practice? Why? 3. What theological trends and strands of false teaching are the elders of the church particularly concerned about? 4. Who do you understand to be the biblically designated leaders of the church? 5. What do you understand the roles and responsibilities of elders to be?
What kind of questions should a church ask a pastoral candidate?
9MarksA church should ask at least four types of questions of any potential pastor: theological, philosophy of ministry, practical, and personal.
As a young pastor thinks about initiating change, why is trust such an important factor?
9MarksIf a young pastor is thinking about initiating change, it’s important for his people trust him because:
Should pastors change anything in the first year?
9MarksThe answer to that question depends on the kind of church a pastor is stepping into.
How do pastors know what hills are worth dying on?
9MarksNo doubt questions like this must be answered on a case by case basis, but here are seven general areas in which pastors may be called upon to stake their job:
