Seminaries serve the Church and not the other way round. Seminaries do not call pastors. This calling belongs to God alone. Seminaries do not produce pastors because pastors are formed by God through churches. These are some of the things in which perspectives are important. It is easy for young seminarians, even professors in theological institutions to have an ivory-tower perspective that is utterly disconnected from church reality. A prominent academic and theologian even acknowledged that "ministry studies" is the "weakest component" in theological studies. In driving the point home, education is important, but the application of it is equally important. Like letting our bodies being operated on by a surgeon. Would we prefer a well-educated medical graduate without practical experience or an experienced doctor? Indeed, the school of hard knocks is where young seminarians would have to enroll after their graduation. This book shows us 15 things that we can learn from experienced practitioners.


First off, Jeff Robinson Sr sets the stage by saying, "knowledge and credentials aren't enough." Having a good theological qualification is not the end product. It is just the beginning of the next stage of education. He gives warnings about expectations. From the self, credentials do not necessarily translate into competence. He talks about spiritual warfare, the complexity of ministry; the need to depend on God; and many more. Mark Vroegop deals with an increasingly relevant issue: What to do when the Church is dying? Highlighting one of the flaws of the contemporary Church, that they are more know for what they are AGAINST instead of what they are for, he supplies seven lessons out of his ten years pastorate experience, every single one of them bathed in real-life experiences not for the faint-hearted. Daniel L. Akin relates the story of his own marriage, how he came from a good home while his wife struggled with a painful childhood. Getting married also means he learns to shepherd his wife who needs to deal with her own issues. He provides seven ways how pastors could love their wives. That said, this matter of marriage and ministry could spawn several books as there are way too many different kinds of marriages, ministries, contexts, and struggles everywhere. On relating to people different than us, Jeff Higbie's solution is to recognize the three categories of differences: Cultural; Demographic; and Theological differences. Cultural could be unique meanings in a particular context; demographic in geographical context; while theological in faith persuasions. Higbie reminds us the importance of being sensitive to differences so that we could be peacemakers as much as possible. Matt Capps touches on the unique challenges of ministry: When we disagree with our lead pastors. Mutual respect is key. He gives four questions to ask ourselves; steps to reconciliation with others; and what to do when things become unbearable. Juan Sanchez teaches us on how we could lead our leaders biblically and practically. Matt McCullough writes a chapter about how we could love our kids to love the Church, touching on the unique challenges of ministry workers who often had to struggle between what is work and what is play. John Onwuchekwa shares about leading and shepherding congregations going through awful times of suffering. People go through really dark moments when tragedies strike hard and sudden. His four lessons teaches us about being prepared emotionally; to be ready as a place of refuge; to build a team; and constantly pray. Harry L. Reeder covers the area of discerning when is the time to leave. In fact, if joining a church is considered a calling, so is leaving. His ten "lines of guidance" is worth pondering about. Jay Thomas addresses the area of conflict, arguing that pastors should deal with them constuctively; believing that the gospel heals; and that Christ-centered love is not about taking flight but loving one truthfully. He deals with four different types of conflict; between church members; between congregation and leaders; between congregation and lead pastor; and between church leaders. In the midst of unending work and rising expectation, Vernon Pierre exhorts us to fight for our relationship with God. Dale Van Dyke preaches patience that it takes time to become a good shepherd. That we need to be humble to learn; to let the Word be authoritative in our preaching; and to care for the flock like Jesus cared. Scott Sauls warns us not to use the ministry for self-serving purposes. His two lessons to learn and to re-learn keeps us from such a temptation. In an age where the average pastorate lasts only 2-3 years, Phil A. Newton encourages those of us serving a long tenure. Finally, Collin Hansen shows us what we can do when no church hires us.

Three Thoughts
First, this book is soaked with pastoral wisdom. All the contributors are pastors or are closely linked to pastoral ministries through their seminaries or gospel-centered organizations. They have this common goal: To fill in the educational gaps that seminaries often are unable to teach. The school of hard knocks is not an easy place to be in. Very often, pastors are lonely and do not know what to do in their unique circumstances. No books or manuals could tell them what to do. Even the best seminary programs would not be able to prepare one to handle the most peculiar cases. This book offers a step forward to bridging this gap.

Second, one can disagree with the specifics but don't miss out the principles of ministry: Speaking the truth in love. What is the difference between speaking and practicing? For the most part, they are the same because the pastoral ministry mostly revolves around speaking. In preaching or in teaching, we speak. In praying, we speak. In counseling and encouraging, we speak. In board meetings and leadership gatherings, we are expected to speak. Knowing how to speak the truth is one thing. Discerning when is another. All of these is basically about wisdom and love in practice.

Third, there is always room for more resources like this. For there are many more issues that could have been addressed. Issues such as financial considerations; academic qualifications and theological training; guiding a Church through a building project; selecting programs and activities wisely; how to balance family and church; administrative challenges; etc. In fact, I would posit that every pastor would have his own set of 15 things seminary couldn't teach.

To all young seminary grads. You may have a great GPA, a meaningful practicum, and a spiritual high experience of a newly minted degree/diploma. Remember with great humility: All your knowledge and qualifications are simply there to kick-start your ministry. Your journey has only just begun. To readers or potential ministry workers, this book would give a needed reality check before you even begin.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of Crossway Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

INTRODUCTION

One of the temptations that many young seminarians (and even churches!) will face is the temptation to believe the lie that a seminary degree(s) fully prepares a man for all the rigors of pastoral ministry. At just over one year into my first full-time ministry position in the context of the local church, I’m fully aware of how helpful seminary was for me with respect to rightly handling the word of God in Christ. I’m also more aware than ever that there are aspects of my ministry position that seminary never came close to addressing. In order to help young ministers understand both the limitations of seminary training and the need for training in the context of the church, Collin Hanson and Jeff Robinson have edited 15 Things Seminary Couldn’t Teach Me.

SUMMARY

15 Things Seminary Couldn’t Teach Me is comprised of fifteen chapters from fifteen different pastors and churchmen that each articulate valuable ministry lessons learned not in the seminary classroom, but in the classroom of the local church. The chapters collectively come down to relational leadership lessons. The local church is the crucible where a pastor learns concretely how to lovingly lead his wife and kids to Christlikeness. The local church is where a pastor understands how to lovingly lead people, people who may be suffering, people who may be in conflict (even with him!), and people who are different from him for the glory of Christ. It’s even in the local church where pastors learn about themselves and their need to fight for their relationship with God, where the idolatries of making a name for one’s self can be exposed, and where humility is tested regarding ministry positions one applies for upon seminary graduation that may or may not result in being hired.

CRITICAL EVALUATION

Overall, the book is helpful as men who’ve served in ministry positions for various tenures pass along gospel wisdom to young ministers to help prepare them for the challenges that come with leading sinful-but-redeemed people in this already-not yet age of the kingdom of Christ with faithfulness, joy, longevity, and love. Leading in love is a repeated theme throughout the book. One may begin to learn how to study, exposit, and preach the Bible well in seminary; yet, the seminary isn’t the church. It’s only in the context of applying the truths and principles learned in seminary to flesh and blood people in the church where pastors learn, work, and grow to love and lead fallen people in a fallen world to look more like King Jesus. Seminary can teach a man about loving and leading well, but serving the body of Christ is where loving leadership is learned experientially.

One of the most challenging statements of the book for me came in chapter 7 on raising one’s kids to love the church. Matt McCullough writes, “If our children feel like the church is their competition for our time and affection, it will always be difficult for them to love the church. So we have to prove to them in the structures of our normal lives that we prioritize them” (71). The same can be said of our spouses as well. What I’m not sure I or my family expected with the current ministry position I have as Church Administrator is just how much I would enjoy it. There are ministry opportunities I get to do that I would gladly do in my free time if I were not on staff at a church, which means that, for me, it’s often really hard to stop doing this pleasurable “work” called ministry, even more so when ministry doesn’t have 9-5 hours that tell me when to stop for the day. Yet, as a man who loves the church and who wants his family to love the church, I have to constantly work on putting down the phone or the laptop when I’m home with no emergency ministry needs to address so that my family doesn’t feel like they have to compete with the church for me. McCullough’s words were a helpful reminder of a truth talked about in seminary but learned through application in the church.

While this book could contain an endless number of chapters, one worth consideration for addition would be a chapter on local church finances. While my seminary experience included one class session on church budgeting, it did not sufficiently train me to oversee millions of dollars in giving revenue; work with ministry leaders to craft a yearly budget; or to navigate the financial, legal, and leadership issues regarding the acquisition and selling of church property respecting our church planting and growth efforts. Yet, pastors must be prepared to lead the church in all capacities for the sake of the gospel, including financially, and it’s often in the local church where such an education occurs.

CONCLUSION

15 Things Seminary Couldn’t Teach Me is one of those books that would be helpful reading for current seminary students and for those who’ve graduated from seminary within five years. A seminary degree is helpful, but it’s not sufficient for pastoral ministry. The local church, served by seminaries, is where pastors are made, and the churchmen who contribute to this resource clearly demonstrate this reality. May the wisdom presented in this book help reorient our understanding of the roles of seminary and the church for ministry preparation, and may pastors be equipped to love the bride of Jesus better as a result.