I take a classical view of seminary education-- a seminary's job is to teach the classical ministerial disciplines of biblical interpretation, sermon preparation, theological discernment, church history, Christian theology, liturgical theology, counseling protocol, and biblical languages. A seminary is literally a "seedbed" in which the seeds are planted that bear fruit in later ministry. The church ought to prepare the new minister for the leadership skills that are required to produce fruit in the church in the present age.
We asked master new church planter Paul Borden, "What characteristics do you look for in selecting pastors to start new churches?" We thought Borden would list personality traits or psychological profiles or specify necessary previous experiences. Instead he replied, "A robust belief in the Trinity-- people have got to know that God is real and on the move, and a clear Chalcedonian faith-- new church pastors must be convinced of a relational, incarnational God." It was a joy to see leadership defined by theological commitments."
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William H. Willimon, Bishop:
The Art of Questioning Authority by an Authority in Question
(Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2012).
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