Another great question showed up in my formspring last night. "Hey Chad, what seminary did you go to?" This maybe should have been an easy question to answer but before I hit that publish button I realized that the question has many possible reasons to be asked. What if someone is trying to decide if they should go to seminary or not... what if they are seeking to be validated in not going.... what if they didn't or don't need to go... what if I'm over thinking it.... So here we go.
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When I think of this question I am so encouraged and excited with how much things have changed for young leaders. Up until about twenty to thirty years ago the standard form of practice for training pastors was for the church to send their "Timothy" to a seminary or Bible college. If you wanted to pastor or shepherd as a vocation you would apply for the position like any regular job. Among the list of requirements you would see for a position a Bible college degree or seminary degree would be right at the top.

For me, at 18 some 20 years ago, my church still held to this form of practice. When I sat down with my pastor to discuss what I felt drawn to do his advice pointed me in the direction of the Bible colleges that our church looked the most like. At the time I went to a very conservative church. For people who know me today and who observe my teaching style, methods, and musings about loving students the thought that I went to the school that I did seems completely insane to them. In fact the temptation that still remains for people in church ministry is to make determinations about a person because of where they came from as opposed to why they went and what they learned. "Oh... you went to that school? So you must think this way or want to do this in life." You get the picture. This doesn't mean that making the choice should be mindless but if you do feel that you must go think about the kind of church you feel you would be wired to serve in and what school looks most like that in preference, style, method, and thinking. You should also be going to a school that you do indeed share the same beliefs with but if you are like me when I was 18 you just thought you knew what you believed. College, any college, no wait scratch that, LIFE... with God's Word being your colors and community being your canvas are going to teach you many, many, things a classroom never will. I digress...

If you didn't have a degree another acceptable route was to apply for a role where the church would be less concerned with your training. Ironically youth ministry was one of the shepherding roles for the majority of churches that you could generally step right into. Lately there has been debate that the number of youth ministries and youth pastors are on the decline. Some would argue that the economy has a lot to do with this and others would point to ineffective methods being deployed. But when you think about it the term "youth ministry as a stepping stone" and it's implications may have just as much to do with it. Although I think this generally accepted practice of getting yourself in the door of church ministry has died off it was definitely very much a reality in the 80's and even the 90's. The aftermath of that form of entry has left the church with a red-headed stepchild mentality of both who and how the church will pass on to the next generation... I pause on that to absorb and deflect my bitter thoughts.

I am so glad that churches are deeply concerned today with what type of person they appoint to shepherd their kids. Your experience is important to them but even more important to them will be your motive and your intentions with their students.

Gone are the days where black and white lines were drawn in the invisible sand between what and who a church leader is. The focus of the church on the implications of what scripture teaches on the "priesthood of the believer" has really helped erode the mentality of "super-pastor and the league of co-workers." Now everyone is being pushed toward Jesus who never excluded any believer from taking personal responsibility to obey the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Anyone and everyone, regardless of education, is a viable candidate to do just about anything that a role in the church might require.

So what are churches looking for?

Faithfulness. Be faithful in the little things that are in your path. If you've been a greeter you've better been the best greeter that you're capable of being for Christ and not for men. There is a reward indeed for even that.

Connection. You can't lead without being connected to Christ, Biblical community, and his word. I'm not being legalistic here.

Decision. The times, as impulsive as they are, require church leaders to lead. People need you to not be afraid of change, anchored in reason and scripture, leading out of that reservoir rather than following trends and fads that have no place in your community's context.

Teachability and hunger. You will thirst after knowledge and wisdom all of your life. Nothing is to be left unturned in your desire to be the best possible steward of whatever is at your feet. If you go to school... study your butt off. When you finish... study your butt off. I read, everyday, posts from 172 blogs. That doesn't make me cool it just makes me intelligent enough to know that that's at least one way to "be all things to all people." Listen and seek spiritual mentors. Learn... take notes... "study to show yourself approved."

Vision. Churches are looking for leaders who know how to give vision to people in ways that they can own it for themselves and have concrete direction that enables and empowers them to reach their God potential. If you hold on to everything and are unwilling to let go you will rob everyone around you and they will perish. Nehemiah had vision to build the wall but he didn't do it by himself. He obeyed, cast the vision, let go and stepped in only to protect, serve, inspire, and redirect.

And last but not least, transparency and authenticity. The biggest complaints from non-believers about the church is that we are led by hypocrites, hate-mongers, and homophobes. In other words, we don't look anything like the Jesus we preach. Yes, the minority of high profile failures and drama fed media has created this monster but let's be honest we didn't do them any favors by hiding behind our cultural fears and protected communities. People today smell liars from miles away. They have incredibly high standards on you as a daughter of Christ or a son of the King. Let them know that as such His light shines in your darkness and that you are not afraid to confess it, confront it, or get help for it. If you hide it make no mistake it, "will be shouted from the rooftops." Be willing to admit failure, struggles, and need... I grow every step in this and have a long way to go.

All that being said, if you don't chase after Jesus and pursue those fundamental things listed above, it won't matter whether you went to your local community college, major University, dropped out of high school, never finished, or even went to seminary and obtained a masters . Talk with those who know you best. Weigh all of the options. Think about who you are, how you're wired, and where God is pointing you. Be humble and willing to listen to the multitude of counseling you hear. Pray and seek.

For the record, I graduated with a degree in Youth Ministry and a minor in Bible from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Mo.