A couple of weeks ago six of us (together with our wives)gathered at Spurgeon's College in London for what was billed as the ultimate reunion! 18 of us graduated from there 50 years ago to begin our ministries in Baptist Churches across the country. We had gathered 3 times before, but with a third of the group having already died and most of the other third facing health challenges then as the remaining third we knew this would be the final time. For me it was a surprisingly emotional event, probably because I felt I'm unlikely to see any of those guys again and also that I'll never walk again through the doors of the College (pictured above) where I had spent 4 years of my life in theological studies.
We spent an hour with the new and outstandingly gifted and experienced Principal who before this appointment had served as a Senior Chaplain in the British Army. He is having to face the challenge of the enormous and escalating cost of theological training largely due to the expenses associated with the building and the huge fees associated with University accreditation. It's made me think long and hard again about training and what we are seeking to accomplish. I gained a London University degree at Spurgeons (not now available there), taught in a Bible College for 3 years and have been very involved in the training programs within NewFrontiers for 30 years. So I have a few convictions about it.
Colleges or courses don't train people they contribute to an individual's training. The best training you can get for Christian leadership is on the ground and doing the stuff in the local church. I didn't leave Spurgeons trained to be a Baptist Pastor, I left with a degree, with some highly useful theological and Biblical knowledge and with some appreciation of the value of and the way to study. Most of my training took place in the churches I worked in. Spurgeons recognises this today and has adjusted accordingly; probably one of the major factors in increasing their financial challenges. Within NewFrontiers I'd say, grab all the courses you can, not because they will train you but they will certainly add important elements to your training.
If you can, study for a University degree. It may have nothing to do with theology, but it will introduce you to the discipline of rigorous study, it will show you the value of books, it will help you manage a routine in which study should be a big part of your life. It will also furnish you with an academic qualification which can sometimes be helpful if you want to pursue other academic studies.
Remember what we are trying to do. There is always a danger with academic institutions that they begin to need students to help them rather than them helping the students. This is because of the financial pressures. I'm going to stick my neck out here, but it was obvious to me in both Colleges I have been involved in that there were students who were there, paying their fees and contributing to the financial survival of the College who were never going to make it in terms of Christian leadership and ministry. Quite frankly they shouldn't have been there. The sort of training courses that we run in NewFrontiers, which are held in borrowed buildings and are part time don't cost us nothing, but the costs are minimal compared to Institutions and Colleges. We must always run our training programs for the benefit of those receiving the training and not for the existence of the Course.
We must train for 'ministry' and not for qualifications. I'm totally in favour of academic qualifications and am very grateful that in NewFrontiers these days we have those who have received MAs and Doctorates and are able to make a major contribution to our theological understanding.Consider the great value of Andrew Wilson's Think Conference each year. However I know from my days in College that even multiple degrees do not necessarily make a person a good teacher. We are looking to see men and women who can contribute massively to the life of our churches and to our mission who have been helped to grow in Biblical understanding and leadership skills etc because they have been well taught not because they have gained an academic qualification. I've often been asked by those who been through our NewFrontiers training programs if I think they should take a theology degree. I always recommend that they specialise in something rather than chase a theology degree (though it may involve that). We need those who can really help us with Church history, or understanding other religions, or can teach sensible eschatology, or who understand the culture etc, etc. We don't simply need more academic qualifications.
Leaders need to commit to a lifetime of study and training. I agree with John Piper who regrets that Pastor's studies have become offices. Leaders need to read, read, read. Even now I am constantly reading along five different lines (as well as the Bible!). I read serious theology - at present Calvin's Institutes. I read devotional books, many of John Piper's books are excellent for this, or Peter Lewis on The Glory of Christ are examples. I read Christian biography which is always exciting and challenging. I am also always reading a general Christian book and follow that by reading a secular book. You can read too quickly but you can't read too much. Full time Pastors must be lifelong students.
Preachers must study exegesis and use commentaries. Our Advanced Course in NewFrontiers was designed to help with this and I think it would be a real loss to see it completely disappear. Some years ago I heard an Elder preach a whole message on sanctification when the Bible passage was in fact about justification. How does that happen? I assume he never looked at a commentary. Preachers need to do the hard study for the good of their people.
Keep it cheap, keep it simple in structure and organisation, keep it high quality, keep giving new opportunities for courses of study and keep studying.
Why all this emphasis on study? Because there are infinite riches in Christ Jesus.