Question:
(Oh no an advice mod looking for advice? Whatever shall we do? )
Well, for the past six or seven months I've kind of been in a perpetual state of "What am I going to do with the rest of my life?" Until about three or four days ago I thought I'd finally figured it out. I was going to go back to school and slowly but surely become a math teacher.
HOWEVER, while driving and talking with Dana, I was reminded about what many people told me I should do while I was still in high school. "You should be a pastor" "Oh I wish you'd go to Bible college and become a pastor" and so on and so forth. In addition to this, over the past year I've been growing in Christ like never before (relationship with God and theological knowledge wise).
Right now I am leaning toward the pastor job. And Dana has demonstrated that she'll support me in whichever decision I make. Which is lovely and makes the decision a little easier but it doesn't get me any closer to the actual decision making.
What I'm wanting to know is, is there any way (asides from the obvious answer being prayer) that I can find out which I'm actually being led towards? Mostly because I don't want to go to college for the third time for something that I'm never going to do.
Answer:
Did anyone say you cannot do both at the same time? That is what I am doing! I am going for Civil and Environmental Engineering/Math, and I am going for my credentials through this school: Berean School of Ministry - http://globaluniversity.edu/
You can study at your own pace, but I am taking classes at my church. I think Vanguard accepts these credits, but you can become Pastor through the AoG church(www.ag.org). Find a listing a churches around you, and see if they have a school of Ministry!
Answer:
What is your church affiliation? Do they require seminary or ordination? Have you spoken to your pastor about it?
What else would you be doing if not vocational ministry? Does becoming a math teacher really interest you?
This is just my personal opinion, but unless you have a clear desire, clear opportunity, and clear direction from spiritual leaders that know you, I wouldn’t put too much stock in what was said to you in high school. Often times very well-meaning people give very poor career advice regarding ministry. A math teacher who is an awesome Sunday School leader or church elder may be exactly what God has in mind for you.
Answer:
Why would you think you should be a pastor? That is a question that needs a bit more of an answer than, "people said in high school I would be good at it." Everyone thought I would be a terrorist in high school. I think to discover the answer would take a bit of talking with your pastor, and seeing if you could do some stuff with him to see.
Answer:
well, the people saying I should be a pastor weren't just other joe-schmo kids. It was the youth leaders and the youth pastors at various youth groups. I should have clarified that to begin with, sorry. I didn't bank much on it back then either. But then again it is possible that I wasn't ready then.
Good point though I should do a little more research into the idea. It has been suggested by the current youth leaders at my church that I start to help lead the youth group. I have been called and/or thrust into leadership situations and situations where I have to actually go and study more and more often lately. These things also tend towards the idea of the pastoral role.
Originally Posted by Tony Does becoming a math teacher really interest you? That's the thing. Both greatly interest me. Math is the only thing, other than the arts, that I excelled in in school. However, I've always had a hunger for God and His word. And over the past year my appetite for it is voracious.
I appreciate the issues brought up so far. It's causing me to think and search more into this decision.
Answer:
it's not a choice, if God wants you to be a pastor He will tell you.
as the son of a pastor, the brother of a pastor, and a friend of others (different denominations, even for my brother and dad) i can tell you if God wants you to be a pastor you will *know* it!

i have a real problem with people just 'choosing' to be a pastor for whatever reason with no real calling from God to do so. i don't care how many years you go to seminary or whatever, that doesn't make it right. seminary certainly doesn't make a person a pastor. God does, or doesn't.

as a disclaimer:
i'm not saying there's something wrong with going to seminary, but the fact of the matter is you don't *need* it to be a pastor. although, a lot of churches do require you to have a seminary degree before they hire you. i don't agree with that either though.
i know and have known some incredible men of God who are also great pastors and never went to one day of seminary. of course they do put in a lot of hard work to learn and grow as pastors.
Answer:
Please don't think I'm going to "just choose" to be a pastor. It's going to be something very far from a spur of the moment, "Vegas-wedding-style" decision. I'm not exactly the type of person to act on a slight impulse. I've been burned far too many times that way. That's probably why I'm asking for advice here instead of looking into Bible colleges right now.
Answer:
No one liked my suggestion? Heh.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Maru No one liked my suggestion? Heh. If he's not Assembly (or something like it), it doesn't make a lot of sense, Maru. And for me personally, I think it's important to pursue ministry credentials in the context of one's local church/denomination, rather than a self-led process.
Answer:
Chris,
You haven't said anything so far that specifies a career in ministry. A recognition of spiritual maturity and leadership, and a hunger for the Word are the marks of a good disciple, and I encourage you to continue in your growth, but they still may not indicate ordination.
However, neither do they discourage the possibility. What does your pastor say? Is there a particular seminary you're considering? If so, talk to someone in their placement office.
Answer:
Have you considered doing both? In other words, teaching the Gospel as a Seminary professor or teaching the Bible at a Christian college?
Answer:
That is a tough decision. I tend to agree with gg7 that you will feel strongly led in the right direction. I do not think an external sign(like urging from your pastor or other leaders around you) is something you should view as evidence of your pastoral calling. I feel led to become something more in ministry but I do not feel led to become a pastor...yet. I have also been thrust into leadership rolls at my church and I feel led to do more but that undeniable pull to become a minister is not there yet. I feel God is preparing me for what He has in store for me. I guess what I am saying is follow your heart and where God leads you and do not let outer pressure decieve you. I will pray for you.
-d
Answer:
Thank you all very much for the advice. I think I am going to wait on it for a while. (There's a chance I'd have to wait until January before I could start anything college-wise anyways) I'll continue to pray and search harder for the answers to this situation. With a new bible study group starting up (which I may end up leading a few studies for) and the prospect of youth group leadership I'll at least be able to see if I'm even suited for ministry leadership full time to begin with.
I think that since I have been told what I needed to hear (being don't just run into it, don't just listen to outside pressure, etc.) as well as being told to talk to my pastors a little more in depth about it (which I'll have the chance tomorrow) I'll close this for now. Anyone with further advice can feel free to PM me.