I’m amazed that in this post-Millennial, technologically driven age there are people who have problems with formal education. Let me be more specific. I’ve been “choppin it up” with some brothers on the issue of formal theological education and ministry. Is having a bible college or seminary education necessary for ministry? Of course, there are those who say it’s absolutely necessary, and then there are others who say it’s not. The later argue that formal education is a betrayal of the God, it’s somehow leaning on human understanding and NOT trusting the Holy Spirit. It’s been told me that formal education is idolatry. What! Idolatry? You mean to tell me that If a person invests time (Yes, it is an investment) at a theological institution, He or she is somehow displeasing God? You know this is a bit hypocritical in my opinion. We expect technical expertise in EVERY area of life, don’t we? I guarantee when you get on that Delta flight, you want that pilot to be educated on flying. When facing surgery, you best believe that you want him or her educated in surgery. So, why in the heck do we expect less for the people who keep watch over our souls (Heb 13:17).

The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Tim 3:1-7 concerning the qualifications of the Elder (i.e., the pastoral leader). One of the key qualifications is found in verse two. He MUST be “…able to teach”. Commentator Steven Cole writes this, “…By “able to teach” Paul means that an elder must know Scripture well enough to be able to set forth sound doctrine and to refute error in a kind manner without quarreling (see 2 Tim. 2:24 where the word is also used). He must be a man of the Word who also understands people so that he can guide people into God’s truth. And since you can never arrive at a complete knowledge of God’s Word, an elder must be continuing to study with a teachable heart.”

Another Commentator states the following concerning teaching. “The Lord's servant must be didaktikos, which means, SKILLED in teaching, COMPETENT to teach…not only does he have skill in the communicating end of it, but he has the ability to make it believable because he lives it. The New Testament also encourages him to be paidionta which means to be TRAINED. This word comes from a word that means little child, to be DISCIPLINED or TRAINED or EDUCATED like a child. You put together then the SKILL in teaching and the TRAINING and you have what it takes to be an effective teacher (MacArthur).

I speak from experience when I say that to do teaching right, requires every ounce of one’s ability. You may never see the inside of a bible college or Seminary, but the requirements and standards for being a teacher of God’s word are no less demanding. I did a little research and discovered what the preparation time frames are for certain careers:
#1. Doctor 11-16 years.
#2. Dentist 8 years.
#3. Lawyer 7-8 years.
#4. Pilot 4-20 years.

If it takes this kind of prep for these important jobs, HOW MUCH MORE should the Physician of souls be properly prepared for the most important job in the universe. Listen up. It’s not the “Call” that qualifies you for pastoral/teaching ministry, it’s meeting the biblical qualifications that qualify you for pastoral/teaching ministry. And one of the qualifications is having the ability to rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15). Rightly dividing the Word is a learned/earned ability.

However, you learn it, whether, through bible college or seminary or church library, the skill of teaching must be learned. No excuses.