Cost of learning the Scriptures

It must be understood that I am coming from the perspective of one who holds education as a primary necessity for anyone in any endeavor. It is often the very determination of one either attaining a job or being too over qualified from a job. I am long past getting any more degrees, and I don't go hunting, but do have dogs. Degrees in the mind of the public and to the world system are important and have their place.

The purpose of this thread:

When it comes to students of the Scriptures, I would like this thread to explore a bit different thinking on the education and more specifically as to the financial aspects of pastor training.

The question must also be considered: Do Bible colleges, universities, and seminaries make merchandise of the gospel?

To put a bit of real numbers into play, the typical 18hr semester at Dallas Theological Seminary costs approximately $12,000. That does not include anything of the necessary books, food, housing, ... That is purely the course per hour cost expressed in the typical load.

Spread over a three year time, the master of divinity (provided you don't have to take prerequisites) can then be close to $100,000.

Perhaps, I am suggesting that Bible training should be like churches - funded by the gifts given and not on the backs of students, and the endowments of others.

They should be like churches, who survive on the free will offerings of the people (not that which was done in former times of assessing each member a certain "tithe" to fellowship).

I question whether an individual, much less a family, called into the ministry can afford the training, or if a wise church or groups of churches will put into place "Bible Institutes" free to the people of the churches in which the same rigorous teaching and training is expected as one might attain at a well known theological seminary.

In particular, why is not the SBC seminaries not free to those called by God to be pastors and missionaries? The SBC has money to waste. Why not put it into the lives of those called and from those they expect are to support the SBC? Oh, but SBC no longer has control over their training institutions.

Operational costs, building funds, insurances, and so forth are met by churches of all sizes by the gifts of the congregation (offerings). Why not then the training ground of the pastors for those churches?

What does schools such as Truett, Dallas, Southwestern, Southern, do that the local assembly at Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, ... not do?

I placed this thread into the "General Discussion" section, but should the moderators consider it better fit in another forum, I will be pleased to have them move it.

 

I am rather radical in this thinking.

And, I’m unanimous in it.

If a person is called to the ministry, the assembly should either provide the necessary education or provide funding.

That person is held accountable to that assembly, must report to that assembly, and show that they remain qualified for the ministry.

The declare that the pastors of the local assembly are to teach the Scriptures, the teaching of the pastor(s) should be first home grown, proven worthy by their home assemblies, be accountable to that assembly until that assembly transfers such into the grace of that next assembly that calls the trained one as their pastor.

I cannot begin to count the number of moral, personally bankrupt failures that Baptist schools, colleges, universities, seminaries, and other institutions, have allowed into pastor possibilities in which they are not qualified, and even knew and excused behavior as youthful exercise.

Do you know that during the 50’s and 60’s student moral conduct was checked upon during the summer and winter breaks. Violations of character met with dismissal and loss of all credits. I am sharing that the major and minor SBC schools had such structures in place. I know, I was there at the time.

It is the responsibility of the local assembly to train, and such training is never outside the review of the assembly.

So, what is the purpose of a store bought credentials when character and accountability is not part of the value?

 

What training makes for a properly trained pastor?

Seriously, when it came to the appointment of ministers, evangelists, pastors, exactly what was the emphasis of Scripture placed?

Was it upon the attainment of some degree from a school, or upon the character and living showing the evidence of Christ?

I see this a not a small issue, but a major problem.

NO church should be without a pastor.

Frankly if they assemble without a pastor, they are in violation of Scriptures.

They should choose from among them who will serve as pastor.

 

Not true.

What were the qualifications of those who are to be ministers?

Men of Godly character. How did they get Godly character?

But, many churches have a "trained" speaker who lived shamefully, irreverently, and desire the vain glory.

Better a country bumpkin who knows how to walk humbly with God, and seeks God's wisdom and strength, has a history of living Godly, and has his home in order than hear from a "trained preacher" who intones the message to stir emotionalism, who has children who are more than disgraceful, and plays politics along with the do good clubs of the community.

 

Then turn out the lights, get out and make disciples, baptizing them, teaching them ALL things.

What place has a church when there is no one to present the gospel? As in Ephesus, prior to Paul. There were two tent makers living out the gospel in their home.

God sent Paul and they started the church.