Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Qualified Leadership

Sadly, however, many churches (and Christian homes) have no vi sion for serious teaching or training in Scripture and doctrine. Other churches simply do not have the means to train their leaders; they are struggling to survive as a church body. Yet serious-minded believers hunger for in-depth teaching of the Scriptures. That is why Bible schools and seminaries will always be needed. Although there are problems with religious institutions that breed doubt in the authority of Scripture or reinterpret the Bible to agree with the spirit of the age, a good, Bible-believing and teaching school can provide excellent, in-depth training in Scripture. I must warn, however, against the arbitrary requirement that many denominations impose on their shepherds to earn a master’s degree before they are allowed to serve as a church pastor. God does not re quire advanced academic degrees as a qualification for spiritual lead ership. When we set up formal academic standards, we professional ize the government of the church and create, at least in practice, a pastoral office that is separate from the eldership. We do not have God’s authorization to establish such standards. Do not forget that our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, was not for mally trained in a rabbinical school, although such training was avail able and very much prized in His day. Despite His lack of formal school ing in religion, however, Jesus was eminently educated in Scripture. Indeed, the people were so amazed by Jesus’ knowledge and teaching as an untrained layman that they commented: “‘ How has this man become learned, having never been educated?”’ (John 7215b). The same observation was made of Jesus’ close disciples: “as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were unedu cated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recog nize them as having been with Jesus” (Acts 4213). Unfortunately, many Christian people today are so clergy depen dent that they can’t imagine how men and women without formal, theological training and the degrees that go with it can know the Bible and teach it effectively. We must remember that degrees are required in the world of business and academia but are not required to minister in the household of God. Some people who are not able to go to school are taught by Christ through the Holy Spirit. They are educated in His Word and thus, according to God’s standards, are qualified to lead and teach His people.

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