We all find ourselves asking this question from time to time. Anyone finding himself called by God into the gospel ministry really has to wrestle with it occasionally. I attended my first Presbytery this weekend. I attended the committee meetings of the Credentials Committee that examines candidates for the gospel ministry. The first step in the process that the PCA makes a candidate take is that the person "comes under the care of the Presbytery." Some may think that the PCA has stiff requirements for ordination, which used to be my view, but after seeing it first-hand, I see the truth. This process is a very loving and caring way of shepherding candidates to the point of being effective in ministry. After all one "comes under the care of the Presbytery." None of this slap on the back, wish you well, good luck finding a place to minister business of other denominations emphasizing the priesthood of the believer to the point of no accountability and no care. I was greatly encouraged to know that a unified effort to raise up the next generation of men to care for Christ's church exists and I was allowed to see it with my own eyes. To answer my question, the PCA cares...for its ministers and for the flocks entrusted to their under-shepherding.
Thanks for the provocative,yet insightful blog! You bring up a really important issue: consistent and clear oversight of gospel ministers and congregations. While we can all point to ways in which our modern, progressive culture advocates a 'hands-off' approach to relationships and the personal development of others, we don't want to, at the same time, naively place all our hope for this sort of ministry to future elders on a church bureaucracy or a well-meaning older church leader. So, how do you think congregationalists might best embody the same sort of care? Do you think it is part and parcel of the lifestyle of a certain philosophy of ministry or a more practical matter of say, interships? Just curious, because I see exactly where you are coming from and desire change in this area too.
thanks,
Taylor,
I agree with you concerning using caution with church bureaucracy. If we are not careful, we will soon find ourselves falling into nepotism or only passing the reigns to those who are in our favor...hmmmm current SBC leadership gap. However, I think this issue is on the other side of the pendulum with the overall neglect of future ministers.
Maybe we could hire two to three apprentices per worthy pastor to provide personal and ministerial oversight. With Southern Seminary's current distance learning programs, I really question the tradeoff between anonymity and learning while in full time ministry.
We may have to answer how funding for such an approach would be feasible. Most large (700+ active members would be my idea of semi- to large churches) could easily forsake their mega-buck Upwards programs to support two to three more young men while training for the ministry. Then our kids could do evangelism through public rec leagues, people would hear the gospel and everyone would be happy! Right?
JRW
Ouch, Ryan. Very ouch. Give a man a month of no dippin' and a lot of sippin', and he turns on the whole association.
In all seriousness, you've hit the nail on the head of why many Southern Bapitst churches are in love with their own power. The in-name-only leaders have never been shown how to lead, the primary principle of which must be having right knowledge of the Scriptures. Most have never seen a biblical church function for the glory of God and for the good of the people, especially with regards to membership and discipline.
I do hope your time in the PCA will be profitable, and that God will use you to minister well to the people in Brunswick.
We love you guys, and hope to see you soon.
Ben,
You make two very faulty assumptions. You think that I am no longer dippin' and that I have been sippin', but these are ungrounded assumptions with my move to the PCA. The other wrong assumption is that I have turned on the SBC. If pointing out areas of needed improvement (by the way, my comments were not directed at the SBC only) qualifies one as turning on the denomination, Ascol would have been kicked out a few years ago.
You are right in your point. Most of us have never seen a biblical church, much less trained to produce biblical models by biblical leaders. We are so inundated with a church growth mindset that our forms and theology have long abandoned biblical theology for pragmatism. Wood, hay, and stubble my friend, but who am I to criticize large churches in the northern Atlanta area for rewarding their staff members by sending them on vacations to Cancun for meeting their conversion quotas?
JRW