Think in terms of a lifetime of preparation!

We need to think in terms of a lifetime of preparation. Recently, I was asked the question, “Why are you involved in graduate studies.” A few years ago, I was talking with my cousin’s son who had just graduated from a major university with a bachelor degree in history. At the time he was hoping to become a high school history teacher. During our conversation he happened to mention that the state in which he resides requires that every teacher must complete a master program within five years or face not being re-certified. This goes much further than most states that either require continuing education credits (CEC’s) or continuing education units (CEU’s) for ongoing teacher certification. It is a fact that many professions require individuals to complete a certain number CEC’s and CEU’s to remain certified or licensed in their professional careers. Such requirements, no doubt, are meant to assist these professionals to stay current in a rapidly changing world. My cousin’s son didn’t seem to mind this additional burden of continuing an educational process at all. He saw it as a profitable benefit in his personal life. Our conversation caused me to do some internal evaluation of my own personal educational pursuit and that of our ministers and lay leaders.

I consider myself a late comer to hearing and pursuing the call of God into full-time ministry. I did not have the luxury or the flexibility of enrolling in one of our many outstanding A/G Bible colleges. Instead, I pursued my ministerial preparations by correspondence through Berean School of the Bible, division of Global University. This educational process served me well as a foundation for ministry. However, over time I have had to continue to hone and improve my ministry skills. This process has taken many directions and forms, from reading books and magazines to attending various training conferences. These forms of continuing education have helped me to develop my abilities and calling. However, in 1999, at the age of 48, I enrolled in a bachelors degree program through distant education with one of our A/G Bible colleges. It has been this structured learning process of a distance education degree program that challenged and motivated me personally. Since then I have been able to enroll in AGTS. Although, it is going to take me many years to complete a degree program, I am finding this continuing education process to be refreshing in spite of the additional work load that it has created.

It is vitally important that all of us move beyond our present education level in order to become more effective ministers of the gospel. The most often used excuses for not continuing our education is age, time and money. Indeed, I have tried to use each one of them too. However, once I made the commitment to pursuing a degree program, I have discovered that each of these hurdles can be overcome. It is a matter importance, priority and faith.

I believe there are several reasons why ministers and lay leaders need to consider furthering their education. (1) If we take our calling seriously, we have a responsibility to grow in our understanding of God’s Word and our ability to minister in the church. The people we minister too will grow proportionately too our level of growth. (2) We are called to be a life-long learner (2 Timothy 2:15). The day we stop learning is the day we stop growing. (3) If we expect to remain relevant in this rapidly changing culture we must continue to refine our skills. Ministering to today’s issues is more complex than it was a generation ago. (4) Formal education (classroom or distant education settings) hold the learner accountable. Disciplines are learned and maintained. (5) Continuing an education can open new doors of ministry. There are ministries such as chaplaincy, Bible College teaching, counseling, etc., that require specific educational requirements or advanced degrees. If a door of opportunity opens, I will be able to say, “Here am I Lord, send me.”

Whatever form my continuing education may take, it will enrich my personal life and keep me as a ministry leader on the cutting edge of a complex, demanding, and ever changing culture. I hope you too will think in terms of a lifetime of preparation. I hope you will never grow tired of learning.

2 Tim 2:15 KJV
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.