God Makes a Minister

"God doesn't call those who are equipped, He equips those whom He calls." It is not the intellect of a Christian that makes him ready to serve God, but rather the power of God working within that person. Although I generally encourage formal education if the opportunity presents itself, it merely supplements the gifts given from God. Sadly enough, there many churches in the world that will not accept a pastor to lead them unless he has a seminary degree. A seminary education doesn't make a minister of the gospel; the calling from God and the church body to confirm this calling is what makes a minister of the gospel. Of course, we read that God uses people from varying educational backgrounds, considering Paul who was a "Hebrew of Hebrews" and a "Pharisee" (Phil. 3:5), while Apollos was "an eloquent man, competent in the scriptures" (Acts 18:24). Yet, we read in Acts 4:13 that no matter the education of those whom God calls for His purposes, it is Christ in them by the power of the Holy Spirit, who mightily works to spread the gospel:

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."

This verse ought to make us ponder the reason many of us think we need to have formal education prior to going out to reach the lost for Christ. Again, there is nothing wrong with receiving formal education, but God's standard of wisdom is very different from that of worldly standards (1 Cor. 1:27-28). The world says, "you need to have formal education if you want do anything of significance." The world, however, also says the message of the cross of Christ is foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18). On the contrary, God tells us through the apostle Paul that He "chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise" (1 Cor. 1:27). Let's stop adhering to the worldly teaching of needing formal education when we as Christians know very well (at least we ought to know) that it is God alone whose power works in the lives of individuals to spread His message and accomplish His will.

In a general sense, every Christian is called to be a minister of the gospel. Has God opened a door for you to receive a seminary education? Awesome. Pray about it and remain a faithful steward of what God has gifted you, spreading the gospel. Has God kept doors closed for you to not receive a seminary education? Well enough. Pray about it and be a faithful steward of what God has gifted you, spreading the gospel. Going to seminary does not make one a minister any more than eating at McDonald's makes you a Big Mac. Trust God, obey His will for your life, and enjoy His gift of salvation.


"Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."