Albert Mohler on Church-Based Pastoral Training

Dr. Mohler writes a brief history of pastoral training, arguing that seminaries must be accountable to churches, and that churches must also take pains to train those who seek ministerial employment:

The role of theological seminaries remains crucial for the education and training of Christian ministers. At its best, the seminary is an intentional gathering of Christian scholars who are dedicated to the preparation of ministers, committed to biblical truth, gifted in modeling and teaching the tasks of ministry, and passionate about the Gospel.

No other educational institution exists to serve the needs of the churches in this way. In that sense, a theological seminary is as crucial to the training of ministers as the medical school is essential to the preparation of physicians.

Nevertheless, count me as one seminary president who believes that the local church is even more important to the education of the pastor. The local church should see theological education as its own responsibility before it partners with a theological seminary for concentrated studies. The seminary can provide a depth and breadth of formal studies -- all needed by the minister -- but it cannot replace the local church as the context where ministry is learned most directly.