Pastoral ministry is an unusual calling. “I know God is calling me to ministry. But is God calling me to go to seminary?” If you find yourself asking this question, consider two things. First, the pattern in Scripture is that God equips those whom He calls through ordinary and extraordinary means. Our Lord promised that He and the Father would send the Spirit to equip the apostles for their work (John 15:26, 16:13; Ephesians 2:20). Yet the power of the Spirit alone was not all that the Lord gave to His apostles. Much of the public ministry of Christ included intentional discipleship and training for the twelve. “From the time of their being chosen, indeed,” writes A. B. Bruce, “the twelve entered on a regular apprenticeship for the great office of apostleship…. Henceforth the training of these men was to be a constant and prominent part of Christ’s personal work.” Even with the power of the Spirit, the apostles still required years of training from Christ before they were prepared to go forth with the gospel. The apostles needed both the supernatural power of the Spirit and years of training.

The apostles continued that same pattern as they ordained men and sent them out to preach. Paul clearly saw Timothy as called and gifted by God for ministry (2 Timothy 1:6), but Paul still trained and mentored Timothy. The pastoral letters show us the ongoing training and assistance that Paul gave to his son in the faith. If you are called to ministry, Christ is likewise calling you to train under experienced ministers so you may be sound in doctrine and ministry. What better place in our day can you find this sort of training than at seminary where you will form life-long relationships with seasoned pastors and scholars?

Second, Paul teaches us that diligent study of the Scripture is essential for gospel ministry. Paul commands Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The seminary curriculum is designed to help you be a better student of God’s word and, hence, make you better prepared for weekly preaching, counseling, and church leadership. In seminary, you will learn how to handle the text in the original languages, learn from the best men in church history, and hone your skills in explaining and applying God’s word from the pulpit. If God is calling you to spend twenty, thirty, or perhaps more than forty years preaching His word, it is fitting that you spend three to four years preparing so that you may show yourself equipped to handle God’s Word with confidence.