[Open Letter to churches in the North American Presbyterian and Reformed Council (NAPARC), from the Student Association of Westminster Theological Seminary, Spring, 1996.] May 23, 1996 Fathers and Brothers, Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we prepare for ministry in the Presbyterian and Reformed churches, we have become concerned by some trends that we see in ministerial training in the church today, especially for those seeking the pastoral office. In particular, we are disturbed by the distance between the seminaries and the churches, and the lack of preparation for seminary which most of us have experienced. We praise God that He is raising up shepherds for His flock, but there is some cause for concern when so few of our own covenant children are pursuing the gospel ministry. For example, out of twenty students from one Presbyterian denomination at Westminster Seminary last year, only two were raised in that communion. There are three basic areas where we would like to encourage the church to become more involved in ministerial training: 1) preparing students for seminary; 2) caring for students in seminary; and 3) developing graduates after seminary. In the attached document, we have proposed several practical steps which many of us would have found useful in our own training. While preparing students for seminary, we would encourage the churches to work with young men in the areas of discipleship, ministry supervision and academics. Students who are in seminary have expressed a hearty desire for continued discipleship and ministry supervision from their home church/presbytery, as well as financial assistance. Upon the student's graduation we would encourage churches and presbyteries to consider ways in which they could bring the student back home, where they could continue to receive oversight as they begin their ministry. We ask that your ministerial training committee consider these proposals, and that you do what seems good to you and to the Holy Spirit, for the glory of our Lord, and the edification of his people. We would also greatly appreciate any suggestions which you have for how the seminary can work together with you in training up shepherds for our Lord's flock. For the Westminster Student Association, Your Servants in Christ, _________________________________________________________________ Peter J. Wallace, President Cecelia J. Bernhardt, Vice President Carol N. Scott, Secretary Brian D. Nolder, Treasurer We, the Westminster Student Association, in light of Paul's admonition to Timothy: "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" (II Timothy 2:2), do humbly request that the churches of Jesus Christ prayerfully consider the following suggestions for increasing the churches' involvement in the training of men for the gospel ministry. Prologue. Throughout the history of the church, the academic, theological training of pastors has generally been committed to men who have special expertise (i.e., the School at Alexandria, Augustine, Jerome, the Academy of Geneva, Scottish colleges, American seminaries), but pastoral formation consists of more than academic study. The American model has generally followed an individualistic pattern, denigrating the church's role in ascertaining the gifts and calling of men for the gospel ministry, and relying upon the seminary to prepare full-fledged pastors. The problem is that seminary training is centered around the classroom, rather than the congregation. It is virtually impossible for a man to become an accomplished preacher, counselor, or shepherd of souls, based solely upon his seminary training. At the same time, it is difficult for any single pastor or presbytery to provide the comprehensive education which the seminary can offer. Therefore, it is highly desirable for the churches and the seminaries to work hand in hand to prepare thoroughly qualified men for the ministry of the gospel. We suggest that there are three areas which deserve to be addressed: preparing students for seminary, caring for students in seminary, and developing graduates after seminary. 1) Preparing Students for Seminary: The church's task is to train all her people from the cradle through the grave, but preparation for the pastoral ministry should ideally begin far earlier than seminary. If a young man shows gifts and ability for ministry, even as early as junior high or high school, it would be appropriate for his parents, his pastor, or an elder to encourage him to think seriously about the gospel ministry. There are particularly three areas in which "pre-seminarians" can be prepared more effectively: 1--Discipleship. This is the most crucial aspect of preparation for seminary. Most likely, if there is a potential pastor in a congregation, there is someone (a pastor, an elder, or just a wise believer) who has the desire and the ability to mentor him. This discipleship should involve a thorough grounding in the scriptures, regular meeting for prayer and accountability, along with an ongoing discussion of various aspects of pastoral ministry. While we use the singular in this discussion, it would be wonderful if there were at least two or three young men who could profit from such an arrangement. 2--Ministry Supervision. Students hear lectures in the classroom through the grid of their own experience. If a student has never preached, then he will not naturally be thinking of how to preach the material of his exegesis or theology courses; if a student has never been faced with the demands and pressures of ministry, then no matter how effectively the professors present their subject, it will all remain an academic, intellectual enterprise. Even while a young man is in high school, the church can find ways of involving him in developing ministry skills. The church can start him out with simple tasks, such as taking responsibility for certain features of the youth group, and later encourage him to teaching Sunday School classes, or even presenting a bible study for the youth group. If he goes to college in a different city, the session should ideally send a letter to his new church, encouraging them to continue his training. While he is in college, the church can greatly benefit while developing his gifts for ministry. Something as simple as inviting him to session meetings, allowing him to join the pastor or an elder on visitation, encouraging him to be active in the church's evangelism, and/or working with him on his Sunday School or bible study lessons can give him a much better understanding of what is happening in the life of the church, so that when he arrives at seminary, he has a grid which enables him to think pastorally about his studies. 3--Academics. Many students arrive at seminary without the necessary academic and theological background. Students who are already intimately acquainted with the Westminster or Heidelberg Catechisms have a great advantage when they arrive at seminary; those who do not often have difficulty appreciating and absorbing the enormous amount of material that they encounter even in their first year. A good liberal arts background, as well as some introduction to Greek or Hebrew would also give students an excellent preparation. Many students want to come under care because Westminster gives a 40% tuition break to such students. This gives churches and presbyteries the opportunity to consider seriously the educational preparation of young men before taking them under care, or sending them to seminary. If they are not yet ready, spiritually, educationally, or otherwise, the presbytery can set down further requirements for the candidate, which will doubtless prove fruitful in the long run. Practical steps might include: having a Sunday school class specifically focusing on Reformed theology; preparing a reading list for seminary, with discussion of the various books and articles; utilizing the strengths of various pastors and elders in the area to work with prospective candidates. 2) Caring for Students in Seminary: Once a young man comes under care of the presbytery, the church has declared that they are seriously concerned for his spiritual, theological, and practical training. Naturally, churches that are located near a seminary will have more opportunities during these years, but home churches need to take more seriously their responsibilities as well. There are three basic areas which presbyteries and local congregations should consider once they send a young man to seminary: 1--Continued Discipleship. Churches need to pray regularly for their students--and pray intelligently. For this reason sessions/presbyteries should require their candidates to communicate at least once every semester, so that they may remain informed as to the issues which he is facing. It would also be appropriate for sessions or presbyteries to require the student to send a copy of his grades each semester, or ask to read some of the papers he has written during each year. But this communication should go both ways. The pastor, various elders or deacons, and/or members of the congregation should be encouraged to write, call, or even visit (when possible) their seminarian. Simple things, like an occasional postcard just to let him know that you are praying for him, are always greatly appreciated. 2--Continued Ministry Supervision. While churches located near the seminary can benefit from the student's ministry during the school year, home churches and presbyteries should consider how they can utilize their seminarians during the summers. If a local congregation cannot afford a summer intern, they should consider pooling resources with other churches in the presbytery (and presbyteries might consider establishing a fund which would allow smaller churches to have an occasional intern). The only way that a man will develop into an effective preacher and compassionate shepherd is by the grace of God through the instrumentality of the church, under the guidance of a mature pastor and godly session who can give criticism and direction. During these internships, seminarians can put into practice what they have been learning, as well as continue to hone ministry skills which will then inform the way they hear lectures and write papers. Ideally, churches should be able to find interns from the list of licentiates and candidates under care within their presbytery, or from their Christian Education Committee, but the seminary would also welcome requests from congregations or presbyteries who have more openings for interns than candidates. 3--Financial Assistance. Many students today have to work upwards of 20-30 hours per week while trying to get a theological education. Many are also forced to take out exorbitant loans, which will be very difficult to pay off on a pastor's salary. Churches and presbyteries might consider setting up scholarship funds in order to allow these students to study without the added burden of excessive financial constraint. Many seminary graduates enter the ministry without a full grasp of what they have just studied, for the simple reason that they had to work 30 hours a week. Presbyteries would be fully justified if they would require the candidate to serve summer and/or year-long internships as a condition for major scholarships, and most students would eagerly jump at such opportunities. The seminary currently provides a 40% tuition break for students under care of NAPARC classes or presbyteries, but their strategic plan states that "by the 1997-98 academic year, we shall seek to provide up to 30% more scholarship support (depending on need) to students whose NAPARC classes or presbyteries provide 30% of their tuition." This seems to us to be one excellent opportunity for the seminary and the churches to work together in training men for the gospel ministry. 3) Developing Graduates after Seminary: Few seminary graduates are ready to go straight into a church as a senior pastor. Too often, graduates are simply cast adrift seeking a call. There is a need for a continuing relationship between the graduate and his home church and presbytery. This is seen primarily in two ways: 1--Discerning His Call. If home churches or presbyteries were in constant communication with their students, then upon graduation, a church in the presbytery could bring him in as a summer or year-long intern while he works with the presbytery to ascertain where the Lord has called him. If a long-term relationship has been established, it will be much easier for him and for the church to see where God wants him to be. In one recent situation, a student was invited back to his home church to be the assistant pastor, with a view toward church-planting in his former neighborhood. Since he already knows the people and the area, he will have the opportunity to "learn the ropes" from people with whom he has already established a significant relationship. We believe it would benefit all parties involved if the churches can ask, "where can we utilize this man we have trained in our presbytery?" 2--Continued Discipleship. Since most seminary graduates are still raw rookies, they would deeply benefit from the continuing oversight and mentoring which their home presbytery can best provide. If churches take the time to work with a man before and while he is in seminary, they will have a more thorough knowledge of his character, piety, and abilities, which will enable them to work more effectively with him as he begins his ministry.