~ Jan Alan McKenzie's Personal Blog
Here is my response to a personal inquiry from a
friend asking about what it takes to receive a license or ordination to the
pastoral ministry. I thought I would add my response here for others who might
have similar thoughts or questions. For the most part, this
is not a theology of preaching or pastoral practice. I have kept my attention
on the current training practices and degree requirements. I have done
some editing, adding a few points and rearranging the paragraphs from my
original letter.
First of all, pastoral
education is as much about unlearning old ways as it is learning new. It is a
time of stripping away worldliness and learning godliness. Old habits, not only
of practice but of thinking, must change. With some this takes longer than
others.
But the ultimate and most
essential ordination is from God himself. He chooses who he will when he wills.
Being an ambassador of Christ is a calling, not a job. It is not something one
takes to their self without the Holy Spirit’s unction. To preach or teach
without the baptism of the Holy Spirit only ends in failure and defeat. And
this baptism must be sought daily.
Now, to the practical
education requirements as they’ve evolved today.
Depending on what church
or denomination you belong to the requirements for a license to preach or teach
vary. The same can be said for ordination.
It is generally
recognized since New Testament times that it takes about four years of
apprenticeship or longer to cover the basics necessary for spiritual
leadership. This includes the personal spiritual formation as well as biblical
knowledge and practical experience. Jesus trained his disciples for almost four
years, though he ordained them earlier in their training and sent them out to
preach in his name while he was still there to guide and correct them in their
education.
The model of Jesus for
educating pastors was personal mentorship. So it remained through the
centuries. Most churches try, some more successfully than others, to maintain
mentorship through an intern requirement as well as through formal training by
theologians.
For example, in the
Seventh-day Adventist Church, of which I am a member and ordain minister,
licensing precedes ordination. The licensing period may vary but usually begins
with internship after four years of college, followed by two years at Seminary.
It takes about six years of licensed ministry to be ordained, but factors such
as age and experience are considered along with education and most importantly,
the spiritual life.
In my case I preached
and taught as a layman for many years before becoming a pastor. I have a BA in
Pastoral Studies (a four year degree). I did not attend Seminary. I was hired
as a licensed pastor / intern out of college in 2003. I was ordained in 2009.
Ordination is a church
body conferring God’s authority on a person by the laying on of hands and
prayer, authorizing you to represent the church as a pastor, teacher,
missionary, or administrator. In the Adventist church licensed pastors are
restricted in authority to their local church district. An ordained pastor’s
authority is acknowledge world-wide. Currently, not all churches, including the
Adventist church, ordain women to pastoral ministry. The Adventist church is
now in the process of considering a change to include the ordination of women.
We do have women licensed pastors. There is also what is called a commissioning
service in some areas of the church that are trying to lift the ordination
restriction for women. This has been a point of contention, notably in North
America. Personally, I support the ordination of women.
But other churches do
things differently. The Adventist church is a global denomination. Many
churches are strictly local or part of a smaller convention or conference of
churches, so their requirements, expectations, and needs will vary somewhat,
but the general principles appear to remain the same.
Licensing and ordination
are also subject to various legal requirements and these vary from country to
country. Governments are not consistent in how they recognize church policies
and practice. Specifically, laws regarding marriage, tax status, wage
expectations, may mean adjustments in language or actual policy for churches to
meet government standards or restrictions. These is apart from outright
discrimination or religious intolerance. Church groups do their best to
accommodate any civil requirement as long as it does not violate their
understanding and practice of God’s will.
In general, most
denominations or congregations expect at least a four year education in
theology followed by an internship with an older, more experienced pastor. The
common practice is four years undergrad and two years graduate at an accredited
Seminary or University. The Adventist church, though making allowances for age
and experience, prefers ordained pastors to have an M.Div (Master of Divinity)
degree from our Seminary. Those planning to teach professionally take an MA,
and most often a Ph.d, in some field of theology, specializing in such areas as
Church History, Missiology, Ethics, Biblical Theology (Old or New Testament
Studies or Biblical Languages), or Systematic Theology.
The further one goes in
higher education the more their education narrows with specialization. This has
obvious benefits, but can also create blind spots in a persons thinking.
Neither the benefits or distortions are a given. Many factors play into our
education, one that should be a life long experience. We must never stop
learning, lose a willingness to change, or close our minds to the challenges
contact with others inevitably brings.
Nearly all prominent
pastors today, those of larger churches have a Doctor of Ministry or Ph.d. The
D.Min equals eight years of higher education: four college, two graduate, two
post-graduate. The Ph.d requires an additional two to four years of
post-graduate work after Seminary in most cases. A few complete their studies
sooner.
Of course, the European
system is different than the American. European education begins specialization
immediately after high school level. They do not follow the “liberal arts”
philosophy of the American system. My degree is European, from England.
I hope this helps. Let
me know if you have more questions and God bless you as he guides you in his
will.
Jan McKenzie
SDA Louisville, Ky.
Married to a former Salvationist
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