Do You Need a Seminary Degree to Pastor a Church?

Pastoral Commentary
Written By David Tarkington

I have served in pastoral ministry for almost thirty years. When I surrendered to God's calling as a pastor, I began counting down the months until graduation at the university I was attending. I knew, immediately, that seminary was my next step. This is likely due to the fact I lived in Fort Worth, Texas which is home of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. My pastor was a student at SWBTS, as were the numerous student pastors who served part-time at the small church where I was a member. In fact, it never occurred to me that seminary was not an option. 

In 2018 I completed a doctorate at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

So, I would understand if in your reading of this article, you deem me to be biased. I am. I do believe seminary education is good and valuable for the one called to pastoral ministry. 

I also understand that it is not a biblical requirement of the office.

Nevertheless, as I have had opportunity to serve in the local church and see young people surrender their lives to what we term "full-time Christian service" there is also a trend growing of minimizing the need for theological education. This is not true for all, but there are those who just want to hurry up and get on the field and forego the study.

Do You Have To Go To Seminary?

Well, no. You won't find a verse that commands the called out ones to enroll in an accredited school for the purpose of earning a degree. Yet, we must not dismiss this as a viable option for pastors, or in some cases a recommended one.

Dr. Albert Mohler, President of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary states it this way:

Seminaries, when they are faithful as servants of the church and accountable to the church, training ministers without apology for the churches, and doing so effectively, can offer a pastor the most comprehensive background for ministry that can be put into about a three year period. Now, as I say, I hope every pastor would have at least that much, because I think to really be a skilled preacher of God’s word and a pastor, to continue to grow, most pastors will go beyond that and if not in formal study, at least that better be the investment in how they study on their own. (1)

Yet, we have all heard from those in the local churches who have decried that seminary education “messes with good preachers” and makes them ineffective. If you have never heard that, you have not been around many of our smaller congregations who struggle with the sending off for educational purposes.

In some cases, these complaints are valid. In fact, in Baptist life just a few decades ago, the great fear was becoming a reality. Biblically-based, theologically conservative institutions were not just leaning, but running quickly to the left and disavowing the veracity of Scripture as inerrant. While many Baptist colleges and universities were lost to the cultural shift, the six Southern Baptist seminaries were reclaimed through what has become known as the conservative resurgence.

Therefore, over the past few decades, much like many years ago, the ministerial training offered at our seminaries has proved to be quality, biblically-sound, and effective. Of course, there will always be small exceptions, but by and large, this is the what God has provided, all to his glory, in our schools.

Dr. Jason Allen, President of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has addressed theological education for pastors, albeit from a biased stance as a seminary president, in his book Discerning Your Call to Ministry. He references 2 Timothy 2:15 where Paul tells Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

Allen states…

Paul’s exhortation to Timothy rings through the ages, challenging every generation of gospel ministers to be maximally prepared for ministerial service.

As Tim Challies states in his blog here, “The church has little use for ministerial amateurs. Amateurs are not necessarily those who lack academic degrees or formal training, but men who lack “the knowledge base, skill set, and experience for a particular task - in this case, Christian ministry.” (2)

Pastoring Without Seminary

There are many godly men serving in pastoral ministry who do not have seminary degrees. These are not unlearned men. They are wise and biblically sound. Charles Spurgeon and Martyn Lloyd-Jones are two who impacted the world greatly, but never had seminary education.

As has been stated by some, if a pastor just does not have the tools yet, the language skills, or the understanding of how to find answers to deep, difficult theological questions without just quoting a known pastor, it would be beneficial to go to seminary to gain such tools.

Speed Doesn't Justify Poor Theology

With a desire to reach the unreached, we have unfortunately turned previously reached groups into unreached groups while ultimately seeking to speed the return of Christ (as if we actually can manipulate God to adjust a time he already has set.) Yes, reaching the unreached is a mandate. It is biblical. It is right.

Reaching and discipling are not synonyms. The command of Christ is to make disciples, not just draw crowds.

Planters, Pastors, and Missionaries in Hurry Up Mode

As we have mentored and coached young ministers and pastors over the years, a few challenges have arisen. In some cases, a person surrenders later in life (when it comes to schooling, this may mean over age 30) and while working a full-time job and seeking to raise a family, deem theological education as not being an option. While some may rightly continue serving without any training, others drastically need coaching.

When there is an urgency to hurry up and get to work in the ministry, things often do not go well. Don't get me wrong, God remains sovereign and can work through anyone willing to serve. I'm not negating his power or call. Yet, I have seen unteachable people rush to service only to do more harm than good for the kingdom.

While God certainly opens doors of ministry prior to the completion of theological education, I have seen some vibrant newly surrendered ministers who actually forced the door open. In these cases, undone work remains undone. 

Therefore, it is really not about seminary or continued education. It is about having a teachable and learnable spirit. 

Patience is a pain, but it's a virtue too, right? In the waiting, God prepares and provides. Seminary and theological training are not tools to cool one's passion for the gospel. It is a gift of God. We should remember that and take it to heart.

And, just as a building with the name church on it does not make it a viable option for education and worship, neither does an institution with a name college, university, or seminary mean it's a good option. That being said, I'm glad to say that as a Southern Baptist pastor, I can recommend our seminaries for those called into ministry for the furtherance of their training. We live in an era where quality theological training does not mean uprooting one's family and moving across the country (though it could.) Distance learning is provided by our schools, and depending on the region one lives, most likely an off-campus site is available within a short driving distance. If not, then by all means move. As God calls, he provides.

Our SBC seminaries:

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(1) Mohler, Albert. “Do You Need a Degree to Be a Pastor?” 9Marks, https://www.9marks.org/article/do-you-need-degree-be-pastor/.

(2) Challies, Tim. “Is Seminary Really Necessary?” Challies, https://www.challies.com/articles/is-seminary-really-necessary/.

David Tarkington
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