I was one of those in the troubling statistic that you mentioned in your comment. There are some good churches in which seminary students find themselves; however, it is often the case that such a church will have dozens of seminary students–more than they can train while they are in seminary. One of the problems is that some DOM’s and churches do not want students of SBTS because of our confessional identity (i.e. Reformed) or because of the past Reformation which apparently angered a lot of people.

One other issue to think about is whether the professors and administration have had any pastoral leadership prior to coming to seminary. I cannot say with certainty, but I think a considerable number of professors and administration have not pastored churches.

I praise God that He gave me the opportunity to work under an elderly interim pastor who displayed what being pastoral meant.

There was probably NOTHING about him that would impress folk in academia. I dont think he was a brilliant Greek Scholar, outstanding in the pulpit [but good I might add], profound in the breadth of his knowledge of church history, etc.

And there was probably nothing that made him “marketable”

But he had that pastor’s heart. He was lowly in spirit. He loved the people. He reached out to me.

And he taught me “You’ve got to get down WITH the people”

ROLL TIDE ROLL!
GO ROCKY STOP!

For some reason the first thing that came to my mind when I read this was the whole business with anti-Calvinist SBC leaders criticizing young reformed pastors who went into non-Calvinistic churches (allegedly) without telling them about their theological positions. I’m sure it still would have been an issue, but how many anti-Calvinist diatribes would we have been spared if every one of these young men had gone in humbly, with a desire to serve their people with truth, rather than with swords drawn to do battle? Take that for what it’s worth, certainly not as a criticism of young Reformed folks, of which I am one — and take that with my own confession that I have not desired to serve, but rather to steamroll, in too many circumstances!

It also brings to mind the shift that happened in my father’s ministry when he took down his degrees and accolades from the wall in his office and hung a towel in their place.

When we speak of the family of God, it is not just an expression. I might send my children to refine life skills and particular expertise in a university, but in reality, the functions and life skills of family and by extension society are taught in the family. When we shift it to the university, it loses the exclusive dynamic of personal investment in others most intimately connected. Likewise shifting discipleship to the seminary disconnects the disciple from the family of God. When we look at what Paul says, “you do not have many fathers…and…my little children” or in John’s epistles, “to you fathers…young men…little children…,” and the numerous allusions to family we should only expect that relational Christianity cannot be taught outside that family of God into which we have been grafted.

We had gone the way of the world that says experts trained in academia know better than parents. And it is just not true. Praise God that the ebb has ended and the tide is flowing back toward the root of all education, the family. Let us do then the things that were done first. Let the men and women of the church be trained up in intimate relation with each other. The older men, teaching and modeling for the younger. The women doing so too, so that “She will be saved through child rearing.” We forgot the dynamic that was so simple, and so sound, that we are one body, one family, each part contributing to the edification of one another into a mature whole.

Pastors, Elders, and if we can remove the stigma, fathers in the church, are to be raised up by others of like kind. So too, our young women being taught by the elder women, as mothers, faithful to wash the feet of the saints. There is not a seminary degree that can replace or replicate the beauty of the natural way that God has structured his churches.

I am a fellow student at SBTS and this post brings to mind a concern I have that may apply, one that Connie also seems to allude to. Often while on campus I speak to other students in passing or try to begin conversations, but the responses I receive far too often are either a blank stare, a critical look, or ignored outright. I am from Southeast KY where everyone waves and speaks to strangers, so it may be a cultural issue I just need to get used to.

With this in mind, however, one of the quotes from Dr. Mohler you mentioned above really stood out, ““the greater challenge for us is to inculcate in them the gentleness to be with Christ’s people.” I pray that this will be as important in our relationships here at seminary as it is in the churches.

Blessings!