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By Don Miller
The church in America is led by scholars. Essentially, the church is a robust school system created around a framework of lectures and discussions and study. We assume this is the way its supposed to be because this is all we have ever known. I think the scholars have done a good job, but they've also recreated the church in their own image. Churches are essentially schools. They look like schools with lecture halls, classrooms, cafeterias and each new church program is basically a teaching program.
The first disciples were not teachers, they were fishermen, tax collectors and at least one was a Zealot. We don't know the occupation of the others, but Jesus did not charge educators with the great commission, he chose laborers. And those laborers took the gospel and created Christian communities that worked, that did things and met in homes and were active. They made speeches, for sure, but so do businessmen and politicians and leaders in any number of other professions. Educators make speeches and do little else, except study for their next lecture. I wonder what the first disciples would think if they could see our system of schools, our million lectures, our billion sub lectures, our curriculums and our lesson plans. I think they'd be impressed, to be honest, but I also think they'd recognize a downside.
Church divisions are almost exclusively academic divisions. The reason I don't understand my Lutheran neighbor is because a couple academics got into a fight hundreds of years ago. And the rest of the church followed them because, well, they were our leaders. So now we are divided under divisions caused by arguments a laboring leadership might never have noticed of cared about. Practitioners care about what works, what gets things done. They have to agree because there are projects on the line. Educators don't have to agree at all. They can fight and debate and write papers against each other because, well, the product they are churning out is just thought, not action.
So why are we led by teachers? After all, the church and the school system are the only institutions in our culture led purely by academics. Well, the reason is the printing press. The government once controlled the church, but that ended when the printing press was invented and people could read the Bible for themselves. And the scholars were the only people who could read, so they got the job of church leadership by default. So church leadership went from fishermen, to government workers, to scholars. I wonder who's next? I've got money on music executives, if only because they're all looking for work.
Because we've been led by scholars for so long, we have slightly distorted ideas about Christian discipleship. If you want to grow in Christ, you should study more. Christian growth, then, is an academic path. And like educators, we only advance to become higher level educators. The point of learning is always teaching which produces further learning and then more teaching. The only difference between the church and another educational institution is that nobody ever graduates from the church. We just keep going to school.
But if normal people like you lead the church, won't the church be read by heretics? Yes, and it already is.
In the great commission, Jesus graduated his first group of students. He pushed them into the world and said, you don't know everything, but you know enough. You'll have a guide and that guide will be with you always. Go and teach the world to obey my commands. Because they were fishermen and tax gatherers, they went and did it. Did Jesus teach them for three years? Yes, he taught them by doing, in action, with people, by touching stuff, not by taking over a school and recruiting educators. I wonder what they would have done if they had been professional scholars? My guess is they would have talked the command into a tailspin, dissected it into a million pieces, then divided themselves into different intellectual camps, and built a bunch of schools to teach their various interpretations.
So maybe if you're a doctor or a plumber or a carpenter, you should lead the church. Maybe the church needs some of you who don't write and speak and teach for a living to step up and put some action to our faith. I wonder what your churches would look like? Maybe you could meet in homes, appoint some elders, pray for each other, read the Bible to each other, and then just serve your communities and each other in love. Maybe you wouldn't need a classroom at all. Go ahead, lead. You're qualified. You'll have a guide. You've graduated.
Whenever I write a post like this I encounter dualism, people who think I'm saying if Jesus didn't choose educators than Bible College is wrong. We really have to stop thinking in either/or. There is no path, there is only a guide. There are a million right ways to be the church.
Let me ask you this: Aren't you a little tired of scholars and psudo-scholars fighting about doctrine? Is it worth it that you are divided against other denominations because scholars picked up their ball and stomped off the playground? If you are tired, then be the church. I'm not kidding, you don't know everything but you know enough. Be the church and be united. Let the academics go to an island and fight about the things that matter to them, and we will be united based on the things that matter to us.
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O.K. —I’m listening. I admit that I go back and forth on this myself. Is seminary or Bible college required? Of course, in those moments when I say “yes” I disqualify myself!!
Comment by John - Sep 13, 2011 @ 02:06 PM
Great stuff. Catalyst, you guys never disappoint to challenge my thinking on leadership! Thanks for the great read, Mr. Miller.
Comment by David Jacobs - Sep 13, 2011 @ 02:36 PM
We planted out of a “scholarly” baptist church, with a bunch of servants! It is amazing how being a local missionary with an emphasis on creating community and making disciples you can create church with no programs or expectations. Leadership and Reproduction are what Christ modeled. Servants reproduce themselves, Scholars can at times be threatened by “non-educated” tactics. Our model of “we are professionals don’t try this @ home” has passed!
Comment by Adam Johnson - Sep 13, 2011 @ 05:58 PM
I admit, I’ve been burnt out for years on conferences, lectures, sermons on tape, and pastors who are more excited about speaking at the next big conference or getting their next book published than pastoring their church. But we shouldn’t throw it all out - and I know you’re not saying that, but you did make a strong foil, and I think we need our John Pipers (mind) and our Rick Warrens (hands).
And church isn’t the only institution with academics/lecturers in charge. Not by a long shot. I’m in software and the leaders in my industry, the ones that are churning out patents and new technology decade after decade are institutions like MIT, Stanford, CalTech, etc. In fact, most industries are built this way: health, finance, tech, marketing, sales, they’re all dominated by academics, evangelist and lecturers small and large - think Seth Godin or even, ahem, Chris Brogan. :)
The cause may have more to do with our capitalistic and democratic society than anything else, and maybe the question should be, should our church leaders follow this model?
Finally, I’ve been a part of two church splits (I know, maybe I’m the problem), and they both have more to do with charismatic leaders, their egos, and their followers than doctrinal battles that the congregants barely understand to begin with.
I totally agree with having more layman, practical, experienced folks in stronger positions of leadership instead of wet-behind-the-ear seminary graduates, but as the saying goes, the wise don’t want to lead.
Great post, good food for thought as always. Thanks Don
Comment by jim - Sep 13, 2011 @ 07:20 PM
Give me a break. I’m a pastor and I appreciate scholarship because they help me “DO” what I do in a way that is faithful to Scripture (which I still be believe is absolute truth). Btw… DO’ers usually become scholars because they learned so much by doing they want to help others (i.e. fisherman disciples who wrote the Bible). So… thanks for wasting my time Don with your endless banter and rhetoric through which you continue to divide (which you say only the scholars do… but they can just go to an island). Wait… wouldn’t you be a scholar as an author who tells people how to think for a living?
To believe anything is to have doctrine. You can’t erase doctrine from the Christian church or we cease to be the church. Good News is NEWS and it is the motivation for all we DO.
Comment by Brent - Sep 14, 2011 @ 09:23 AM
A nice article to make us think. We have this saying in the church that 20% of the people do 80% of the work. Is it because lay folks are unempowered because, hey the professionals will do it? And, we see a different story unfolding in Asia and other parts of the world where the focus is on lay leadership and the avoidance of paid leadership - everyone is required to be in the game. It’s a focus on obedience based discipleship verses the knowledge based discipleship we have here in the States. But in the end, I don’t think it is scholorship that has brought this upon us but rather the focus on the LEADER as leader rather than the Elders as leader. And unfortionatly, it is something that is bound to be around for a long time. Catalyst itself feeds this focus on the Big Shot by bringing out all the stars several times a year for big conferences. It is what is being modeled in every area of the church so why would it be any other way? So perhaps Don will need to decline his next invitation to speak or write as it only seems to model the very thing he desires to see done away with. I’ll wrestle with that one for a while and hope you will too.
Be blessed,
Aaron
PS> Yo Brent. Not sure the bitterness and anger came through clear enough. Maybe you could cuss a bit next time. Just kidding man. I am sure you are a fantastic pastor and are faithful to the calling God has given you.
Comment by Aaron - Sep 14, 2011 @ 10:18 AM
Great questions!
Given the anti-intellectual bent of many churches and the evangelical community as a whole, I think this all depends on the definition of “scholar”. Very few of the seminaries are truly making scholarship a strong priority. Maybe the word “professionalized” would better fit your meaning.
Comment by Steve - Sep 14, 2011 @ 11:04 AM
Our brothers and sisters in the faith of centuries past (as well as today) died for the core doctrines of the faith. Learning, discussing, appreciating, and most importantly applying distinctly Christian doctrine to one’s life is a huge part of the Christian life. What is “Christian?” Doctrines define what Christianity is from what it is not and it is therefore very important to know doctrine well. Especially as leaders in the church, whether seminary educated or not, it is important to know (and by God’s grace, apply) Christian doctrine.
At present, I am a seminary student and have greatly benefitted from the experience thus far. My primary reason for attending seminary, as one who has been called into the ministry, is to learn from those who are older and wiser than I. Could I have done that outside of seminary? You bet! But the institution of seminary has helped me organize that desire into a program that is specifically designed to prepare me for a lifetime of ministry.
Miller is correct that seminary is not required to be a leader in the church, by all means. However, doctrine is important and the shepherds who protect the flock from false teaching should especially know their stuff. Whether they get it from seminary or through a church taught by somebody who can rightly handle the Scriptures.
“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” - 1 Timothy 4:16
A good thing. The professors I have met at my seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, have exemplified Godly character and Christian service. Even hearing them pray out loud, I hear their love for the Lord, love for His Word, and love for His people. I have seen this incredible combination of Spirit-filled passionate hunger for God along with a tremendous passion for understanding and applying God’s Word. Usually, you meet people who are on one side of the spectrum or the other. The professors I have gotten to know have really challenged that expectation I have shown me that I can indeed, love God with my mind as well as my heart and soul.
Learn the Scriptures, see what it means to be “qualified” and then by the grace of the ministry of God the Holy Spirit, seek to become that. If in your effort to learn the Scriptures, you see that attending a school or taking some classes could deepen your ability to read and properly interpret the Word of God, then by all means do that. If you are learning the Scriptures well, whether through the church or a seminary or a small group, be sure that you have opportunities to lovingly serve others and live out those truths.
Learning doctrine is a good thing but true Christian doctrine is not meant to stop at mere understanding, but to carry through into application. Perhaps Mr. Miller is frustrated that so many people who thump the Bible do not practice what they preach. It is just as important to preach accurately as it is to practice what is preached accurately.
Comment by John - Sep 14, 2011 @ 11:19 AM
I don’t think you can have one without the other. I have witnessed large groups of “doers” do things apart from “academics” and success does not always ensue. Instead they do things without thinking them through and waste resources and time and ultimately nothing really gets done. Now I know that waste is not their motive, so I’m not trying to suggest that their hearts aren’t in the right place. But Christ wants our minds as well as our actions, so both are of equal importance I believe. And…if you truly desire to know God better through relationship, why wouldn’t you want study him? This is true of anything. Most everything in life comes with something resembling training and practice.
Comment by Andrew - Sep 14, 2011 @ 11:34 AM
It is interesting that you ask us to refrain from a dualistic path, but it seems like your post takes us down that very road, contrasting the “doers” as opposed to the “thinkers,” as if we are either/or? Scholars OR workers, Don? Really?
I practice ministry in several denominations including a Baptist church, a Methodist church, a Nazarene church, and a non-denom. I have watched as the members of each describe all the others with skepticism, distrust, and disdain. It makes me sad. I also rejoice in the unique view I alone get to see: One Body, Many Parts. In those moments, with that view, I don’t want any of them to go away to an island somewhere, as if the brain would be any good without the body or the body any good without the brain ... as if they really are two separate entities at all.
We need our scholars and we need them to do precisely what they are doing. We also need there to be a dialogue between “the scholars” and “the doers.” We need the tension; it holds us in balance.
I do share your frustration with the over-intellectualization (and the overspiritualization, for that matter) of discipleship, ministry, life, and love, but in my experience, neither of those are character defects limited only to “scholars” or “workers” my friend. We all do it. Right now, you’re the one who sounds like the kindergartner who wants to take his toys and go home. Just an observation.
Comment by Sparrow - Sep 14, 2011 @ 11:38 AM
Interesting point to observe how churches have come to resemble schools. I agree that we need to do more doing and less talking, but it seems to me a fallacy to suggest that to simply stop teaching would result in more doing. I doubt it would. So how would we change the model?
Comment by Gary - Sep 14, 2011 @ 11:58 AM
Relationships are the cornerstone of faith. Look at the ten commandments and ask yourself how many are at their core instructions on having healthy relationships with your neighbor, your spouse, yourself, and your God. Unfortunately, relationships suffer in institutionalized settings. This is as true in the public school system as it is in the modern church.
Ideally, I see the church functioning as a family.
http://www.lifestream.org/bodylife.php?blid=32
Comment by Mountainash - Sep 14, 2011 @ 01:37 PM
Thinking about this….Right now toomany churches are lead by marketers, PR types and self promoters. perhaps scholars coupled with those peculiar and amazing ones who pray and serve would be better than the marketers of Jesus.
Comment by Betsy - Sep 14, 2011 @ 01:45 PM
Ironically this post is divisive and argumentative toward the academics. Are we not to be a united front regardless of “title”? There is silliness going on here…
Comment by Christopher Reiter - Sep 14, 2011 @ 01:45 PM
Refer to comment #9, by Andrew.
As a non-theological academician that also thinks the scholarly aspect of church is too much amidst some congregations, I understand both sides of the issue. I concur with Andrew - Research and practice… Can’t have one without the other.
Academicians/Scholarly folks have contributed enormously to our growth and knowledge, and access to the Word. I agree we might have given too much emphasis on the teaching and ignored the doing, but we must also remember the being—Who we are, what we think and how we act.
Sending all academicians and scholars “to an island and fight about the things that matter to them” just might not be the best route to go.
Comment by Nicole - Sep 14, 2011 @ 02:06 PM
Interesting thoughts. I, myself, am an elementary school teacher who would like to see less talk in the classroom, more action, and empowerment of students to DO something! One way school teachers change this, is to view themselves as “facilitators” of the educational process. Getting students to be involved in their community through service learning projects and to learn through action how they can make an impact (empowerment). I think that perhaps our religous scholars and educators should be doing the same thing; empowering their congregants by facilitating change or action, not just talking about it. Isn’t that what the great commision from Jesus was? Some churches, pastors, and scholars do this well. Others, not so much.
As a parent of six children, I have watched my children grow through experience. They fell many times before they walked. They forgot a lot of homework assignments and lunches before this became a regular part of their daily routines. We often learn from the consequences of our mistakes, otherwise known as “experience.” What I see in this article is the opportunity for individuals to be like the disciples. They needed both the opportunity to do the work, get guidance, and yes, to even risk making mistakes so that they could grow in knowledge and faith. And Jesus even let them do it, under his own tuteledge!
Thanks for giving us something to personally evaluate, not judge. I enjoy your insightful remarks.
Comment by Cynthia - Sep 14, 2011 @ 02:13 PM
I think I see what you’re saying. Jesus didn’t call us to dissect the Bible into a million pieces and interpret and reinterpret everything that’s written, and I don’t believe He expected us to spend all of our time as Christians with other Christians trying to make each other BETTER Christians. He called us (and correct me if I’m wrong) to go out into the world to make Christians out of non-Christians; to spread the good news that Salvation is come. I don’t think Don is trying to beat down scholars and academics, rather, I think he’s just saying our point in being the Church isn’t primarily to learn. It’s primarily to teach, (The Gospel….teach the Gospel) and you don’t have to be a teacher by trade to teach the Gospel…you just have to believe in it.
With love,
Comment by CB - Sep 14, 2011 @ 02:16 PM
Our western idea of “scholarship” that we have adopted as Christian discipleship falls incredibly short of what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus. The Hebrew word for “yada” is one of the most intimate words in the Hebrew language and is used interchangeably for “knowledge,” “to know,” and in Genesis 4:1 the same word “yada” is used for sex. The same word in Hebrew that was used for “knowledge” was also used for sex, pretty interesting. For these Jewish writers and readers, knowledge was not some distant concept in their mind that they were taught in a classroom. Knowledge for them was much deeper than that. To “know” something, or to “yada” something meant to have a deep understanding or intimate experience with what they were learning. Christian scholarship today has completely missed this critical element to being a disciple of Jesus. It has become normal to “know about Jesus” via western scholarship, but not “know” or “yada” Jesus at all!
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled ordinary men with no special training in the scriptures, they were astonished and they recognized them as men who had been with Jesus!”
Acts 4:13
Somewhere along the line we decided to study Jesus instead of being recognized as men and women who had actually been with Jesus. I want to truly “KNOW” Jesus, not simply know things about Jesus. Just because I read a biography on Michael Jordan doesn’t mean that I actually “know” him at all. I could know a ton of random facts about him but does that ever constitute “knowing” him? I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure that if i saw him in person and pretended that we knew each other because I had read a book about him, he would probably freak out and say something like this…“depart from me, I never “KNEW YOU!” Matthew 7:23 The Greek word used in this passage in the New Testament comes from the root word in Hebrew “yada”....go figure.
Comment by Jordan - Sep 14, 2011 @ 02:18 PM
has anyone noticed the landscape of church changing? from what we were to undetermined at this point? Don is merely pointing out an inbalance of our intellectual / linear approach of ‘sharing the gospel’ comppared to sharing our individual experiential walks. My limited viewpoint is that folks are tired of the same old same old..which to me has me asking have we believers lost our ability to be relevant? I’m talking about relationally..folks aren’t interested in well schooled people who aren’t emotionally available as well. They aren’t interested in formula’s and are turned off by folks who are intent on being right. Newsflash..we’re ALL ‘right’. Somehow the church needs to be revisited, reconsidered, redefined by people who are broken, forgiven, at peace and in step with Jesus, available, transparent (warts and all) to those who don’t give a rip about church. People want to be loved and are desperate for someone(s) they can trust..people who listen and care and see past the symptoms of brokenness at the God given desires for goodness and rightness every person possesses.They don’t want answers, they want people who do what they say they will and show up when its not convenient..they want to find trust, and kindess, and mercy without the biblical address and zipcode. Our gospel is lost in translation because we have a head full of knowledge and not a lick of relational skills. Why? Because we don’t trust each other either..I offer this observationally only, I have no axe to grind. I’m not mad at anyone..but myheart is breaking for the Bride of Christ and unless we allow the Lord the freedom He desires and deserves by allowing Him to show us what this new season is about, at best we’ve just become the same old Pharisees (me included) If the shoefits, wear it (non-judgementally of course)
9-14-11 Daddyrono
Comment by Ron Graves - Sep 14, 2011 @ 02:24 PM
As a new student in seminary, a graduate of Kanakuk Institute(bible college), and a complete nut I have long struggled with the idea of scholarship and the necessity of seminary. Not long ago I came to the conclusion that for me to be the Christian I want to be I need Seminary, I need the thought provoking books abouts stuff I don’t understand. I feel completely out of place because I’m not by nature a reader but I think God has placed me in seminary to learn the Bible, defend the Gospel, and maintain my non-scholarly personality that can get out talked in any Christian coffeehouse in the central US. Thanks for your thoughts Don, I would you to come
to San Antonio and speak to a homeless service organizations ministry team. Let me know if that’s possible.
Brent, calm down.
Comment by Matt - Sep 14, 2011 @ 02:25 PM
The question of whether this or that person should lead becomes irrelevant when we consider what kind of leadership the church needs. Its a modality issue, but not in the natural sense. The big question is, “Is this person speaking and acting from themselves or from God the Spirit?” Whether she’s singing and playing music or he’s teaching or they are performing acts of service, the flesh begets unfruitful mediocrity and the Spirit ignites unstoppable fire. It isn’t who; it’s how.
Comment by Adam Somes - Sep 14, 2011 @ 02:27 PM
Find it very interesting that you did not mention Paul. Was he a scholar, in your opinion? Why do you suppose God chose him as “one untimely born”?
Comment by Cody - Sep 14, 2011 @ 02:27 PM
Paul was a “Jewish Scholar” and that led him to kill Christians….
Comment by Jordan - Sep 14, 2011 @ 02:35 PM
I cannot agree more!!! Not long ago I was reading updates (facebook) about my alma mater, a bible college, going under after over 70 years. People were lamenting how some churches are being led by the “uneducated” and how much this institute of higher learning is needed. Currently we attend a church that really emphasizes higher education—and all the staff have degrees. What a shame that one has to spend $30,000 a year to get an acceptable college education at their university. Since only the rich can do this without major debt, I see a problem with the “to not owe man anything but love” that I see that the scriptures teach. Another good book on this is Pagan Christianity, by Frank Viola. Thanks for all you do!
Comment by Debbie - Sep 14, 2011 @ 02:38 PM
Mr. Miller,
You are OBVIOUSLY not an educator. Jesus TAUGHT. He lectured. Yes, He also healed and performed miracles, the He PREACHED and taught. In fact, as an educator, I use Jesus’ model for my own teaching. Bad analogy. Try again.
Comment by Belva - Sep 14, 2011 @ 03:22 PM
Being born Muslim & after becoming born again - I decided going to theological seminary would be helpful… 3-1/2 yrs of it was worth it. However, there is a dynamic sometimes missing in a lot of intellectual preachers, teachers or parishioners for that matter… raw anointing. To say Jesus was a teacher is correct - yet, a missing element is an anointed word. The crux of this thing - depth/length/breath… cannot be purchased. There’s a revelation of truth that often doesn’t come with an abundance of reading &/or learning or teaching. And, it’s so simple & amazing… children get it before we ‘educated’.
Now… after 35/yrs, when I visit - I’m told some ministers are a bit unnerved - since I’m considered ‘an intellectual!... yet, I only want to wash my brain & feed my soul - for the next day’s journey & if you’re prepared & yielded - I’m with you! (Don’s books bring me that every time)
Comment by Saleemah - Sep 14, 2011 @ 04:17 PM
First of all, Donald Miller Rocks! Secondly, I totally agree with this! This post and yesterday’s post about pain have really spoken to me and helped me. I think the church should be more about fellowship and community and less about a 30 minute sermon. Personally, I think it’s quite ridiculous to expect one human being to deliver 52 life altering sermons every year that will be exactly what hundreds of people need to hear every time. First of all, one person can’t do all that, and secondly, one person can’t possibly know where everyone is in their walk. I think small groups is what the church should really be - probably more like what the church really was - just a group of people sharing their lives together, sharing meals, praying and talking together. No one “has it all figured out” but everyone has something to give.
Comment by Heather - Sep 14, 2011 @ 04:33 PM
If you actually read the scriptures for what their worth you will find “teachers” are actually a requirement of them. The question then is what should they teach?
Paul says this:
The Prophets and the Apostles, their foundation(s) about Jesus.
You might also notice that until Jesus comes and we all “know” God the purpose of teaching is so that people will “know” God.
Faith comes by hearing…
Dude don’t be another clanging cymbal on this one. God has called you to teach others about Him, so don’t miss your calling by wrangling with words and trying to draw popular criticism of the faith to make yourself seem wise.
Love you for bringing up the topic of division, because scripture teaches we should have one “heart” as a people of God., so don’t add to the division please.
Comment by Drew - Sep 14, 2011 @ 05:01 PM
There is an academic component to the church what with Sunday SCHOOL and classes of all sorts and the model of come and listen to a professional tell you about the faith, but I wouldn’t say the Church is led by scholars. Far from it. Many in churches simply want pablum, even if their pastor is equipped to give them much more and help them to dig deeper. Consequently, pastors who could do just that have their hands tied to keep producing pablum each week.
Comment by Pat Pope - Sep 14, 2011 @ 05:26 PM
Ah!
Thanks for this, Donald. I love it. As an academic Christian, I want to challenge this a bit. How about this: The people in the pews (the average non-academic believer?) need not abdicate their position as the PRIMARY creators of theology just because someone is at Union or Notre Dame. But traditionally, that’s what’s happened. It’s about power. Always is. So, take the power back.
Give academics a context for debate. That’s what we need. Since the creation of the universities…heck, even before…the elite have tried and often succeeded in calling the theological shots. But if the non-academics would create the context for historical criticism/textual research/translations studies/systematic theology/liturgical theology etc then maybe all manner of things would be well (or at least better).
What do you think?
Comment by Tripp Hudgins - Sep 14, 2011 @ 05:53 PM
Oh, c’mon guys! The answers are all right there….what…no one TAUGHT them to you?
” And He Himself gave some [to be] apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and TEACHERS….”
Ephesian 4:11
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Ti 2:15
REMEMBER WHAT THE DISCIPLES CALLED
JESUS?
“TEACHER.”
Look Don, if this is the best you can do….and you miss this big….isn’t it time to stop writing ( and misdirecting God’s precious sheep! ) and find out what your calling really is?
Comment by Mike Macy - Sep 14, 2011 @ 09:14 PM
Todays teacher/preachers have soft hands and base their sermons on the latest book they’ve read. Motivational speakers unable to inspire love of God and Christians who may disagree with them, but many who can recite the creeds posted on their front doors quicker than a deadly wild west fast draw.
Don’t you know you don’t look the wild beast in the eye? He’ll think you’re challenging him and attack.
Comment by Dan England - Sep 14, 2011 @ 10:18 PM
Oh and Don, you are right on. This age of preacher who have been around since about the age of the Falwells and Robertsons will not “raise up the age old foundations. It will be the new converts who read the Bible for themselves and can hear the Holy Spirit and not have to be told what the Holy Spirit is saying.
Comment by Dan England - Sep 14, 2011 @ 10:24 PM
I don’t think the issue has to do with room for both, but more I feel like I couldn’t teach a group of people within the church b/c I haven’t attended seminary. Why do I think that? Who said we have to have degrees to lead people to Jesus?
Agreed that we have to have TEACHERS in the body of Christ but why does TEACHER now equal 4 years of seminary.
Comment by Ashley - Sep 15, 2011 @ 06:05 AM
Thanks Donald for the challenge! There was a time not too long ago during Benjamin Franklins regime when PRAGMATISM ruled supreme and when the American tradition was: “doing well” by “doing good” in a form of piety of prosperity. Christian value was measured by what we did and what “WORKED” rather than “THEOLOGICAL TRUTH”.
The problem is that “work ethic” is considered primitive and this elevates “THOUGHT” and SCHOLARSHIP as higher virtue. I attribute this to greco-roman ACADEMIA which became the tool to bring unity and squash the tyrants who “THOUGHT” and BELIEVED different. ACADEMIA or the insatiable need to acquire A to Get B to Get C…...the end result is a WORK BASED SALVATION in the disguise of THEOLOGY
ACADEMIA - starts in preschool and we deal with this all the way thru to UNIVERSITY (a very greco construct) and thru our careers. It’s not surprising that this thought has immensely influenced the church. I’m not saying we throw away the responsibility we have to teach our kids about God, but rather that we DEMONSTRATE God centred and selfless living faith - with more hands & feet and less mouth
Comment by Mario - Sep 15, 2011 @ 06:16 AM
@Ashley, it doesn’t require 4 years of seminary. In fact, there are those with no seminary education who can preach circles around some who have been to seminary. However, many in the church have bought into the necessity of a seminary education. I went to seminary and gained much from the experience and would do it all over if I had to. However, that doesn’t make me better than anyone else. Ironically, many sitting in the pews have bought into the thinking that their pastor must have a seminary education. I ran a search committee at my last church and there were those that really valued education and so to them it was important that the person have higher education and/or a desire to pursue it. I think in their mind it was evidence of the person’s desire to continue learning. What’s ironic though, is that churches require it and then don’t want to listen to what the pastor says or challenge it particularly if what is taught is contrary to what they’ve always believed. Make up your mind, people!
Comment by Pat Pope - Sep 15, 2011 @ 06:53 AM
I love this Article. I am a Student Pastor who does not have a seminary degree, yet God has blessed me with the ability and position to lead 150+ high school students on a weekly basis. I struggle with the fact that I dont have a M-DIV on my wall, but then I remember my calling. I think knowledge is a must, but if it is done for a degree or to get a better and bigger job, then are we forsaking our calling?
I just got back from Zambia teaching in a Seminary in a remote part in the Western Providence. Man, I was overwhelmed when asked if I would teach something I have never taken in a school. Then, I remembered my calling and the weightiness of the Gospel and knew that God could use me, not on my ability or personality, but through his power.
Hebrews Chapter 11 shows the heroes of the faith. I dont remember any of them being teachers or scholars, but I remember the Power the God enabled in them to change the world!!!
Comment by Josh - Sep 15, 2011 @ 07:36 AM
I’ve debated about whether or not to share my thoughts in response to this article because of how strong of a reaction I experienced while reading it. To be completely honest, I was really disappointed by the disparaging sentiments expressed throughout it about scholars and the role of education within the church. I am where I am in my walk with God today because of so many “academics.” The roots of my faith have grown deeper and stronger as a result of the studying that I have done in academic institutions. Those “academics” Don is so willing to cast aside to make the church a better place, have played such an integral role in nurturing and challenging the church in its mission to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Moreover, Jesus himself was a teacher. He was a scholar of what we call the “Old Testament.” He knew Scripture inside and out and he used it to teach his disciples and those he encountered on a regular basis. Teaching was part and parcel of his ministry. Even as a child, Jesus recognized the importance of learning. In Luke 2:41-52, we are told that Jesus went missing for 3 days! For 3 whole days his parents couldn’t find him. Can you even imagine losing your child for 3 days?! And where was he? He was in the temple courts, “sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Jesus knew the importance of educating and that is why he spent so much of his time teaching (eg. Matt.5-7 the Sermon on the Mount) and making sure his disciples understood. Yes, Jesus called the academically uneducated to follow after him, but he equipped. He taught them.
It would be ignorant to assume that there are not scholars out there who truly believe that Christian discipleship or growth is solely an “academic path”; however, that is neither a true nor fair statement to apply to all scholars. I agree with Don’s quip (which I interpreted as a sarcastic quip): “The point of learning is always teaching which produces further learning and then more teaching.” That’s the point! We are to learn and then we are to share that learning with others. That is discipleship. We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:1-3). Learning should be transformative, which is one reason why studying should never be done in an ivory tower, separated from the world.
“Be the church and be united” is easier said then done. Packing the “academics” and shipping them off to an island isn’t going to solve the problem of division, Don. It is because people are willing to fight about the things that matter to them that there are so many divisions within the church, but which also make it as diverse as it is. What does the bible teach us about homosexuality? About taking care for creation? About loving your neighbour? About divorce? About how to love your enemies? We need to grapple with the things that are important to us. Perhaps a better solution to the dilemma, Don, would be to encourage people to study, but not let their studies become an end in themselves, and to remind people that when we are being Christ-with-skin-on to those around us, it should always be done in humility and love. Qualities that were sadly lacking in your rant against academics and their contributions to the church, both past and present, as evidenced in your desire to see them removed from the community of the church.
My apologies for the novel, but hopefully, those who read it find it thought-provoking.
Comment by Rachel - Sep 15, 2011 @ 08:03 AM
Great comments. To Ashley and Josh, I think you guys are on to something. Here’s what I’d like to remind people…In first century Jewish circles/culture, rabbis (teachers like Jesus) were supported by the community. When Paul spoke of being a tent maker, he was really breaking a mold. And though Jesus had a skill to fall back on (carpenter) the vast majority of his ministry he was supported by others. In our time this is still a common practice. People are supported by communities so that they may study, pray, learn, converse with others without having to worry about the time it takes to work another job. Universities and seminaries are our culture’s version of the variety of practices that have allowed this over the centuries.
Whether we call it academia or call it the monastery or the midrashic college, the truth is that we have always called people out to learn so that they might teach. Otherwise we will have a bunch of folk making it up as they go along outside of a learning community. This is how we end up with people predicting the rapture etc as we do. They isolate. They step outside of the long-standing tradition of the church to invent something that may well not be appropriate at all.
So, yes, Donald is right. Being lost in academia is a problem. He is incorrect, however, if he’s assuming that there’s no place for learning. He is right that communities of the faithful need to take ownership of their own traditions. He is incorrect to suggest that it is the fault of academics and such. We, The Church, created the present system. It worked for us once upon a time. Perhaps it doesn’t any longer but let’s not toss the baby out with the bathwater.
Comment by Tripp Hudgins - Sep 15, 2011 @ 08:14 AM
@Tripp, haha, yes, i get what you are saying, but let’s be honest. Even some people who are in fine, fine seminaries come up with some wacked out ideas (i won’t give examples, because I dont’ want to offend, but if you’re wondering what i’m referring to, you can email me at tiffany(dot)malloy{at} gmail (dot) com). What if the church became mini-seminaries—i.e. they trained their own people with all skills needed to do what they were gifted to do- instead of sending them off somewhere, making them pay tens of thousands of dollars, only to come back to a place that has no position for them, and without a job. Asbury Theological Seminary is working towards this, actually…they are pretty adament about discouraging people from a seminary degree unless they feel like they absolutely cannot get what they need elsewhere. So, maybe the future and culture is a-changin’.... :)
Comment by tiffany - Sep 15, 2011 @ 11:10 AM
A lot of good points in the article. I love Don Miller; his writings have changed my life for the better. In light of this, I have just a few points to make:
1) We are removed 2000+ years from the time period/context Jesus lived in; we speak the language of iPods, facebook and the Western World, not fishing boats, sheep and Judea/Samaria/Galilee.
2) Not many of us speak or understand greek, hebrew or aramaic - this being the case, we aren’t fluent in any original “languages of the Bible” and are therefore prey to lose much in translation. Try using an online translator to translate your favorite song from one language to the next, you’ll quickly see what I mean; it’s almost as inconsistent as playing “telephone”.
3) For us Christians - we’re not Jewish. Jesus was Jewish. His disciples were Jewish. The apostle Paul started out Jewish. The entire Old Testament is filled with Jewish folks. Being Jewish was not a mere “I go to church on sundays”; it was an entire lifestyle, an entire way of being.
...Going at the Bible without understanding at least something about the above points will more than likely do more harm than good; yes, the Spirit can help us understand things, but our finiteness can also just NOT get things and be mislead, or mislead ourselves.
I’m aware there’s a lot I’m unaware of about the Bible, the time Jesus lived in, the things he said, the miracles he performed, the old testament he so often quoted. I’m all game for having people use their God given minds, hearts, and lives to understand these things and help me/others understand them; when I need to be taught why my car isn’t running, I’ll gladly be a student of my mechanic - when I want to understand the Bible, Jesus’ life, etc… I will be glad we have Biblical and Theological Scholars.
Comment by demuzik - Sep 15, 2011 @ 06:47 PM
“we are educated beyond our obedience” Mark Batterson
“the church should be lead by social activists and guerrilla peacemakers” me
“you only need a little education/understanding to do a lot of good” also me
Comment by Brian - Sep 17, 2011 @ 11:02 AM
The church was born in Acts 2 The power the gifts the offices of Eph 4. The office Pastor Teacher must function for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry. The Body of Christ the church now fullfils the ministry of Christ. Pastor teachers must function wither it be in front of five or five thousand.
Pastor Pat OLeary
Comment by Pat OLeary - Sep 18, 2011 @ 05:41 PM
Fascinating that he mentions the Great Commission, but neglects to mention that it includes three mandates: 1. Make disciples, 2. Baptize, and 3. TEACH.
Comment by Julie - Sep 29, 2011 @ 03:22 PM
Hi Don
I appreciate your thinking through this and I think the responses indicate you might have hit a little nerve which is a positive thing, because it reminds us that there is something there that we have maybe taken for granted.
I think an issue is that you have rather narrowly defined the term educator. What you described is nothing like what my day looks like as a public high school teacher. My job revolves around living, breathing, hormonally challenged individuals who need to be inspired, motivated, facilitated, and loved. They are not the recipients of my information, but the explorers of the thinking universe that I help build with them.
I see many positive parallels between the church and educational settings as well as some of the pitfalls. I will say that what you are pointing to is a paradigm shift that K-12 teachers have been faced with for a very ling time in needing to deal with the diversity of learners. Just like classrooms, churches are filled with less people who learn by hearing and more with people who learn by doing. Maybe that was the case all along but we had dutiful obedience to mask the boredom or inattention. Now that authority no longer speaks for itself, we are now faced with looking at our approach to teaching and learning. I too, think we, the church, have been slow to shift in our understanding of how people learn. I think that the church could learn from professional educators. I think we may understand more about what you are questioning than you think.
Comment by Vicki Hanes - Oct 04, 2011 @ 06:09 AM
As a postulant (someone who is on their way to seminary) for the Episcopal Church I really appreciate your thoughts on this matter. For years I struggled with the call to the priesthood using many of the same arguments you suggest here. In the end, however, it became very clear that God calls many different people to work for Him in many different ways. He needs scholars and laborers alike, especially in this 21st century.
I do believe it is incredibly important for our church leaders to have at least some knowledge of the historical context in which Jesus lived his life. Let us not forget that all of Jesus’s followers, being devout Jewish people, would have been very familiar with the Old Testament. I believe knowledge and study of that alone is incredibly important in even beginning to understand the ministry of Jesus Christ and his disciples.
Can anyone step and serve God? Absolutely!
Is formation a prerequisite to leading others to Christ? No, but we can be assured Jesus and his disciples had a lot of formation as children and young men. Jesus was after all referred to as “Rabbi” which means teacher.
Comment by Christie Hord - Oct 10, 2011 @ 02:16 PM
Hi
A very interesting blog post - thank you. I had googled ‘what should the church be teaching?’ because I had just come back from visiting a conference, where as very popular minister was teaching a message on Gideon, God’s battle, kick the devil out of your home etc… and I really wasn’t very impressed - nor should I have been! The speaker is a nice, warm person and spoke well, but…what was the point? It just seemed to me to be positive-speaking, motivational hype and I’d heard it all before, using the same or various other scriptural texts…while others jumped and whooped, i just felt sadly perplexed.
It really made me wonder - what was the reason for this gathering? What should God’s people come together to hear - whether in their own local services or from visiting speakers?
I teach the word myself and am also a missionary, of sorts. However, God has impressed upon me lately (in a dream where I was in a church history class) to ‘pay close attention to the introduction.’ which I took to mean pay close attention to doctrine and how it developed from early church history.
So, in response to your post, I agree that the kingdom of God desperately needs more ‘doers’ of the word. Partnering with mega-ministries can be a bit of a cop out and we have seen how many of those ministries serve themselves very well before/consequent to serving those really in need.
But also, I am convinced that through the various factions and divisions, much false doctrine has deceived many sincere believers and some help is needed (from teachers pointing the way) to encourage Christians to go back, read the word for themselves, learn the truth and be set free to serve the true and living God in a way that glorifies and pleases Him, worshipping Him in spirit and in truth.
Small groups are probably way better for this kind of personal journey of walking with God (called the ‘halakhah’ by the Jews). But small groups are oft called unsuccessful or unfruitful as in our modern society success is measured by size -a big ministry = big blessing (oft financial) and growth = ‘of God’.
Don, I think you raise a great point, one which I concur with to a great extent with some provisos. The bible says we have no need that man should teach us as we each have the Holy Spirit within. As long as proper foundations have been laid in a believer’s life - and in many, many cases, a true foundation needs to be re-laid, overturning some of the popular ‘other gospels’ that have been preached of late - they are equipped to ‘go’ and make disciples of all nations. May the Lord find us faithful to His great commission. Amen.
Comment by Janet Chandler - Nov 07, 2011 @ 08:58 AM