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Pastor to Pastor

Pastoral Training (1)

Pastors, not scholars, should train pastors.

Giants of the Reformation (7)

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2.2

Institutes of the Christian Religion
John Calvin (1509-1564)
“But the institution itself [“the clergy” of a city] was particularly holy and profitable, for by it those who wished to consecrate themselves and their service to the church were brought up under the bishop’s care. It also ensured that only well-prepared persons might minister to the church, for from early youth under sacred instruction and strict training they took on an exemplary life of gravity and holiness; and, separated from worldly cares, they became accustomed to spiritual cares and studies.”

In Calvin’s understanding, following the example of the early Church, the company of pastors in any city was responsible to train and prepare the next generation of pastoral leadership for the churches. The idea of sending a man off to a seminary to study with professional academics was precisely the kind of approach to pastoral training that Luther, Calvin, and others were trying to replace. They wanted pastors who were skilled and holy, and not just repositories of doctrine and the latest methods for “growing” the church. It makes sense that pastors should train pastors, over many years of teaching and disciple-making, and that such a role not be entrusted to academics only. Scholars and Christian scholarship are important, and the Church needs them. But pastors-to-be need pastors for their preparation. Calvin understood this. Perhaps some day we will, too.

What is your church’s role in helping to prepare the next generation of pastoral leaders for your community or for the larger Church?

Organizing with the Spirit

The Lord Jesus is building His Church. His Word is the blueprint, His Spirit is the General Contractor, and we are all builders together of the Body of Christ. But are we doing our work God’s way, or ours? The Spirit has His ways of organizing our work, and we do well to understand as much as we can about His methods. This is the argument of Dr. Kent Miller of Michigan State University, and you can watch our Conversation with Dr. Miller, and download a free copy of his paper on the subject, “Organizing with the Spirit,” by clicking here.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from John Calvin,
Institutes of the Christian Religion, John T. McNeill, ed., Ford Lewis Battles, tr. (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960), Vol. 2, Book IV, pp. 1012ff.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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