The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum What does theological training matter?...

I agree that Theological education is not necessary in many cases. However it is clear that to lead a congregation Paul makes it clear that it is necessary to "study to show yourself approved". Many years ago one could do that with a pastor in the same way as people studying to be lawyers could study with a lawyer rather than go to law school. You are 100% correct that it does not take a theological education to be an effective witness for the Lord, but even the person w/o the education is required by scripture to submit themselves to the teaching of a pastor or teaching elder so as to experience the rightly divided, as opposed to "wrongly divided", word of God. What chaps me, as it obviously does you, and rightly so, are the people who have an academic background holding themselves out as being more spiritual or of more worth within the church. I believe in Gods calling. If God has called someone to be the church janitor it is just as important within the body of Christ that he fulfill that roll faithfully as it is for the person that God has called to be the pastor of that same church. They should both be equally appreciated for their service to the Lord