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This blog was originally published in Evangelicals Now's November print edition.

“The health of the church depends on the health of its colleges.” I heard John Stott say this more than twenty-five years ago and it has influenced the path that recently brought me to Oak Hill College as Principal. He quickly added that this was not a dogmatic conviction, but an empirical observation. As he had travelled around the world, he had noticed the organic connection between the life of the church and its training. That makes sense to me. Just as the source of our culture is the University, so the source of the church is the theological college and seminary. 

Just as the source of our culture is the University, so the source of the church is the theological college and seminary.   

But not everyone believes in the importance of theological colleges and seminaries. Some years back, I was speaking with César Guzmán, Director of the Centre for Pastoral Studies of the Anglican Church of Chile. He told me of the slogan used by some in the churches who had opposed the start of the Centre: “Theological colleges kill the church.” At least he knew where he stood! 

Over the years, there have always been challenges to face and issues to think through. Recent issues of EN have highlighted some. Most notable, perhaps, is the question around the future of seminaries in the digital age. With world-class theological content now available instantly, what role should they play? 

I’d imagine most of us reading this are convinced that we want men and women to be equipped for Christian pastoral ministry, whether it is paid or unpaid. The question of how we are to be trained depends on what we think we are training for. 

Ephesians 4 is a great place to look to for this. Paul’s desire in Ephesians is that the Church comes to maturity (see 4:1-16). Church growth, in size and maturity, stems from the gifts of v.11. As people exercise the “word” gifts of v.11 in the right fashion, they “equip the saints for the works of ministry.” This in turn leads to the building of the body, and, ultimately, to maturity for the Church. The exercise of these gifts means that people are no longer “children”, no longer “tossed to and fro” – thrown this way and that by the waves – and no longer “blown  by every wind of doctrine.” 

The essence of Christian ministry is evangelising and then shepherding people through teaching the scriptures, bringing the whole counsel of God into every situation so they can do works of service. What is necessary is a clear understanding of the truth, an ability to proclaim it and to shepherd the flock in that truth, teaching the truth and refuting error. There should be godliness of lifestyle, reflected in genuine ‘love’ (echoes back to 4:2).

In other words, what is needed in training for gospel ministry can be summed up in three words: knowledge, skills, and personal formation, or, more alliteratively, convictions, competencies and character.

Convictions, Competencies & Character

It seems to me that a biblical, rigorous, formal, rounded, integrative theological education is invaluable in this process, if you can access it. To be sure, some have reached great heights without the benefit of a strong, formal theological education. But because they didn’t have the benefits, don’t assume that it’s not needed, or that you can reach their heights without it. How many such greats are there? Why ever would you not want to avail yourself of the best possible training for a life-time of gospel ministry? Has this strategy of ignoring or neglecting such a theological education worked in this country? It doesn’t seem so to me.  

I find it rather ironic that you need a degree to teach in a primary school, but in our churches we too often settle for minimalist or pragmatic approaches. Didn’t the disciples get 3 years of training with Jesus, to be set apart with him? The crying need for our complex day is for evangelists and pastors with a deep grasp of the truth, a passion for the Lord, core competences and Christlike character.  

It’s an exciting, yet challenging time, to be thinking about how we innovate rightly

There are many wonderful institutions grappling with this as we seek to help form and shape the next generation of men and women in ministry. It’s an exciting, yet challenging time, to be thinking about how we innovate rightly - not when it comes to the gospel or even the right emphasis of learning together in community - but in terms of our methods of delivery and adaptability to societal changes. 

James Robson - Principal of Oak Hill Theological College.