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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
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I sat at lunch with a distinguished looking man in his early 60’s. He, the seasoned and respected pastor of a church in the north hills of Pittsburgh, and I, the ironically titled 23-year-old “Senior Pastor” of a church in the south hills of the same city. I listened with interest as he told me about his family and his church, lessons he had learned in both the easy and difficult ways. I was shocked when he told me about the next big thing in his ministry: he was going back to school.
Why would anyone want to go back to school? Was the preparation of two sermons, a Bible Study, and a Sunday School lesson each week not enough for him? Certainly, pastoral journals, commentaries, and dozens of how to manuals could keep a minister busy and growing in their ministry. Was he going to start a new career as a professor? Was this an ego booster? Having just completed a Bachelor’s degree, I could not imagine what would possess this man to go back to school at his age. If we could fast forward about thirty years, I think I might be able to answer some of those questions that the early twenty’s me was asking: Why would a minister go back to school later in life for a degree or training in Bible or Theology?
Formal education is not the only way that a person can grow in God’s word. I should point out that the pastor of the church where I am a member does not hold advanced degrees, and week after week I am impressed with his depth and precision with God’s word. Education is never a substitute for a growing relationship with God. Education alone will not cause a bitter person to exhibit the love of God. For some, though, ongoing theological education can be a powerful way to grow in the knowledge of divine truth and ministerial effectiveness.
Grand Canyon University’s College of Theology helps the university carry out its mission to incorporate our Christian worldview into all that we do. To learn more, visit our website or contact us using the Request More Information button at the top of the page.
