In 2 Timothy 2:2, the apostle Paul writes, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Here the apostle points out the imperative need of training future leaders, especially ministers, for the church of Jesus Christ. Faithful young men were to receive training from older ministers, in order that they might be adequately equipped for the continuing ministry of the Word. Most likely, this was done on an apprenticeship basis.

That would still be an acceptable method, but the demands upon the older minister would be great, in both doctrinal and practical matters. For this reason, seminaries arose to take over this task. As capable ministers became the teachers of several students, it became easy for a number of such ministers in the same area to pool their resources and specialize in the areas of their strengths. The group together could provide a more adequately rounded program of study and practice than they could individually.

And this in effect is what a seminary is (or should he). Admittedly, a seminary over the years can become more of an academic institution as it grows and as its professors increasingly become specialists in their respective fields and isolated from the practicalities of the pastoral ministry.

In order to meet the needs of both the students who are training for the ministry and the churches to which they will be called when their training has been completed, a seminary should do the following three things:

A Seminary should Require of Applicants:⤒🔗

• That they be adequately qualified academically. Those who would aspire to the ministry should give evidence that they possess the intellectual endowment and capability that is necessary for a lifetime of study in the discharge of the ministerial office.

• Even more importantly, that they in good conscience are capable of meeting the qualifications for an overseer as set out by the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3. Here he commends the desire to be a leader in the church of God by saying, “If a man desires the position of a bishop [literally, “overseer”], he desires a good work” (vs. 1). And then he sets forth a number of qualifications.

He must be “blameless” (vs. 2). This of course does not mean that an overseer must be perfect. However, an overseer must manifest such spiritual maturity in his life that he be above justifiable reproach and that he be an example of the Christian faith to others (vs. 7).

He is to be “the husband of one wife” (vs. 2). Monogamy and marital faithfulness are to be the standards which the overseer maintains. His marriage should be a model for others to follow. While maintaining an impeccable fidelity to his wife, he is to treat other women as sisters and mothers (1 Timothy 5:2) – that is, with the respect and consideration that they deserve.

He is to be “temperate” (vs. 2), for a temperate man is one who is sober, controlled by the power of the Holy Spirit, rather than by strong drink (cf. vs. 3 “not given to wine” or drunkenness). Moreover, a “sober-minded” (vs. 2) man is one who knows how to exercise self-control (also an endowment of the Holy Spirit, cf. 2 Timothy 1:7) – a quality that is much needed by all at every age (Titus 2:2, 5, 6).

An overseer is to be “hospitable” (vs. 2). This is still a much-needed evidence of concern for the welfare of others. One's open door is often the key to the open heart of others.

An overseer must be “able to teach” (vs. 2). He must be able to impart the evangel to others with patience, perseverance, and love (2 Timothy 2:24-26) – which brings us back to the need for an adequate seminary education. For ministers must be “mighty in the Scriptures” (Acts 18:24) and workmen who are “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

Moreover, among other things, the overseer must not be a “novice” (vs. 6), that is, a recent convert. If he is, he may become “puffed up with pride” and fall into condemnation (vs. 6). Being an overseer is a responsible task that requires a considerable measure of Christian maturity. This underscores the need for a measure of maturity even before seminary training begins, and points to the important role of the churches from which the ministerial trainees come.

Therefore, Seminaries should ask Churches Seriously to Consider:←⤒🔗

• That they encourage young men in their midst to enter the ministry. If they give evidence that they have the needed gifts, they should be urged to seriously consider whether God may be calling them to this office. If so, it would be a good thing for them “to desire such a good work.”

• That they, moreover, take the time and make the effort to give such preministerial students opportunities for church work under the supervision of the session. This can be an invaluable means of gaining experience, while at the same time indicating whether they show promise of possessing the needed gifts for undershepherding the flock that Christ purchased with his precious blood. Teaching catechism, leading youth-group activities, doing some supervised visiting of shut-ins, etc., would both test the young man's gifts and give him a taste of things to come – and open his eyes to his need for further training in order to be adequately equipped for the Lord's work in the ministry.

To Further this End, a Seminary should Offer Students:←⤒🔗

• A competent, experienced faculty. Faculty members should have both academic qualifications and the pastoral experience necessary to “teach others also.”

• Thorough training in all the disciplines of Reformed theology. The preaching and teaching of the gospel must be emphasized as the principal means of grace both for the conversion of the lost and the edification of the saints. Too often today, seminaries become sidetracked by stressing a concept of ministry that focuses on interpersonal relationships.

• Required participation in a ministerial apprenticeship program. A seminary should give students an opportunity to put into practice the theory being learned in the classroom. This field education should be done in close connection with the life of the instituted church and in association with a local ministerial advisor. During his time in seminary, the student should ordinarily make this particular church his church home.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

Successful training for the gospel ministry is a threefold task that involves,

1. the student who is responding to God's call to the ministry,

2. the church whose recognition and encouragement of prospective students in its midst can be of invaluable help, and

3. a seminary whose balance between doctrinal teaching and practical work will give the student the thorough, all-around training he needs in order to meet the biblical standards required of a minister of the Word of God.