Are you ready to rumble?

Not too long ago, Sandra and I hosted a family from the St. Louis area. Dad is a Lutheran (LCMS) pastor, so pastoral topics were among the many topics discussed during their visit. One of the discussions, which took place over several sessions, was on the lack of preparedness of seminarians for the difficult aspects of the pastorate.

In our different seminary backgrounds, we both noted that theology, history, ancient languages, ecclesiology, and preaching were well-covered in the curriculum, but that actual life in the church - the harder aspects - were not.

So it was with interest that I came across this piece in the Aquila Report recently. It is written to help prepare would-be pastors for the rough and tumble world of the pastorate, but it's a good essay for all church members to read and reflect upon.

Jared Moore writes,

The blessings of ministry far outweigh the realities below; however, ministry is definitely not easy. Don’t waste your time and money going to seminary or college for pastoral training if you are not prepared for the negative aspects of ministry mentioned below. Furthermore, always remember that God has called you to love His church, not merely His mature church, but His immature church as well. Moreover, a call to ministry is a call to bleed.

To read the rest of this article go here.