Tag: christianity

Seminarians Matter: Investing in the Future of the Pastorate

When I decided to inform my family of my aspiration to attend seminary in 2017, one of my cousins reminded me that her pastor earned only 2,500 Haitian gourdes a month. Seeking more insight from someone with experience, I shared my passion with a friend who is a pastor. He asked why I didn’t go to a university to pursue a different degree instead. Even after I completed my Bachelor’s degree at the Seminaire de Théologie Evangélique de Port-au-Prince (STEP), a close family member asked me, “What will you do with your future?” Many pastors, theologians, and church ministers are reluctant for their own children to pursue pastoral ministry, full-time gospel ministry, or seminary education. In 2005, the Gallup organization conducted a survey of 1,028 teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17, asking them for their top three career aspirations. The teens chose careers such as teaching, medicine, law, sports, science, or architecture—almost any field of study except becoming a pastor. Apostle Paul, on the other hand, asserts that whoever aspires to be a pastor, elder, or bishop desires a noble task (1 Timothy 3:1).

Since Scripture prohibits immature people from serving as pastors (1 Timothy 3:6), churches and evangelical seminaries are ideal institutions that must work together to prepare the next generation of Christian leaders (2 Timothy 2:2). Thus, the senior pastor of any church must lead the congregation in maintaining two specific priorities to ensure it remains healthy until Christ returns. First, discipleship is the pivot of all growing churches. Discipleship involves sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with unbelievers; when they believe that Jesus, who is God, became man, died on the cross, was buried, and was resurrected on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-3), they become disciples. The church must then continue teaching these new converts to help them mature in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:28); I am convinced this is what Jesus intended when He commanded the eleven disciples to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). In fact, discipleship is the primary way a pastor can help the church remain healthy beyond his own leadership.

While discipleship is the pivot of a healthy church, a faithful pastor must also see discipleship as a foundation for a second, crucial task: preparing the next generation’s church leaders (2 Timothy 2:2). Jesus never intended the gospel to be known only by His generation; He even prayed for those who would believe in the future (John 17:20). How did the triune God intend people to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved? The answer is simple: the hearing of the gospel from a called preacher (Romans 10:13-17). Thus, the first task of a senior pastor is to identify within his church faithful and competent Christians who are called to full- or part-time ministry (2 Timothy 2:2). Then, following the example of Paul, who mentored Timothy, senior pastors must spend time mentoring them. Moreover, churches need to develop programs that encourage believers called to ministry to pursue seminary education. After faithfulness and competency, a willingness to pursue seminary education is a demonstration of commitment that someone is called to ministry. Since the early church, certain training (mostly informal compared to modern schooling) has been crucial for ministers (Acts 1:21-22; 20:17-38). Even the apostle Paul needed an accurate gospel education from experienced Christian leaders (Galatians 1:18; 2:1-2). Therefore, the senior pastor should encourage anyone called to ministry to pursue theological education in a seminary. What about the responsibilities of seminaries in preparing church leaders?

Seminaries have a profound impact on churches because they prepare the individuals who will lead main decisions in the churches. Therefore, certain aspects must be highlighted if a seminary wants to be found faithful when Christ returns. First, it must maintain a strong curriculum that helps students correctly handle the word of truth and develop an intimacy with Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 1). Thus, they will be both excellent in terms of exceptional competence and possess the character necessary for their calling. Second, seminaries are responsible for instilling a culture that values discipleship and the mentoring of Christians who want to pursue seminary education. They should also teach seminarian students how to advocate for their own training and future ministry, equipping them to help the churches understand the financial and missional necessity of supporting seminarians. Nowadays, churches are tempted to abandon the Great Commission to focus on popularity and secondary issues. Churches need to recognize the necessity of supporting seminarians as the next generation of Christian leaders. Therefore, seminary faculties should incorporate into their courses how crucial it is for churches to maintain discipleship and support these future leaders.

While I do not intend to enter the debate regarding the tithe in Malachi 3, the underlying universal principle is that we can, in fact, rob God. Specifically, churches may be said to defraud God when they do not steward their finances according to His revealed purposes (Matt 28:19-20; Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18). Many churches do not have a budget or plan to spend a penny on discipleship, missions, or financial aid for those called to do ministry who are pursuing seminary education. Churches must revise their understanding of God’s will, which is to make the name of Jesus known until He returns. Churches can do that in two ways: through discipleship (missions), and by supporting seminarians, pastors, Bible teachers, preachers (Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18; 1 Cor 9:11-14). Since Jesus encourages every Christian, church, and institution: “make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9). To evaluate your church or institution, ask these questions: How much money do I plan to contribute to discipleship, evangelism, and missions? Do I invest my time and finances to help train the next generation of pastors and Christian leaders? Do I support Bible teachers, preachers?

A Noble Birth

              I am told and know the place where I was born, but I still do not have any conscious image in my mind of how I experienced the event when my mom delivered me to this planet earth on Thursday, August 24, 1995. Now, I am conscious of my unconsciousness and wonder: if I had the power to influence my birthday, what would I change on that day? According to worldly standards, there are many who were born noble. Some individuals were born into a wealthy family or country, a royal lineage, or with a natural talent that set them apart. People who were born poor and untalented are viewed as foolish, weak, low, and despised. Unfortunately, I was born in a small countryside city in the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and grew up in a single-parent family. Even so, I am one of the most fortunate persons across World. Therefore, I have never thought something needed to be different in my life since my story has brought me where I am today. However, being without paternal genealogy makes the easiest inquiry, which is “Where is he?” unanswerable. My father was quick to go far away from me when I was close to him. Hopefully, when I was 17, I experienced my New Birth (which is the genuine Noble Birth in God’s eyes) when the faithful and genuine Father saw me far away from Him, like a sheep without shepherd, He gave me eternal life through His Son; then, my nostalgia was gone forever. All that took place for the glory of our Triune God. Apostle Paul described a situation similar to mine when he wrote his first letter to the Corinthians:

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Co 1:26–31 ESV)

My joy today is the fact that anybody who knows me well praises God for my little achievements. They do so because I am among the individuals Paul wrote about who are not powerful, not of noble birth according to the worldly standards. If you have understood 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, I am pleased you know why God has chosen me. The Holy One wanted to shame the wise and the strong in the world so that I might not boast in His present. Thus, I praise God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for setting me free from boasting and filling me instead with gratitude.

Full of Gratitude

Behind every great person is someone who helps them. A father is the primary person responsible for pushing his children toward success. There are at least three ways we can view the word “father”: divine, biological, and in faith. My godly Father who is the Creator of everything is the author of my journey.  My dream, conviction, attitude, hope, vision, and my worldview are changed utterly at the moment of my conversion to Jesus Christ. And my salvation qualifies me automatically to pray the Hannah’s Prayer: He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor (1 Sa 2:8). This verse is profoundly true in my life so that I am so grateful to God for giving me the privilege to be a currently M. Div student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary which is the fifth largest seminary across the United States. Thus, I can be part of a student community that sit down in a classroom to learn the Word of God from gifted men of God who are deeply grounded in the Holy Scripture.

My father in faith is the first human being to whom I want to express my gratitude. He is the only person who said to me: “I consider you one of my children.” He stood up like a three branches tree that protects me against midday sun with his shade, meaning he is my father in faith, mentor, and my pastor. He is the shepherd who knows how to train his sheep to live a godly life with boldness and is good at encouraging fallen sheep. Reverend Palucien Nel was the person who paved the way for me to arrive at the destination where I am today.

As Pastor Nel paved the way, Dr. Wadestrant Jean Baptiste built the road by opening new opportunities. He was my professor and is the wisest person I have ever met in my life. He knows how to deal with every single situation. His impact on me constantly challenges me to pursue integrity.

Lastly, the one who took his car to drive me to reach present destination is the one who I call “a Servant-Leader” pastor. He is the pastor-leader who is available to serve, not to be served. Ludventz Yoyo’s kindness has greatly influenced my life, and I pray that God will bless our journey together.

In my journey, there are many people who have contributed profoundly to helping me to pursue success in life; however, I have cited only three. I strongly believe that whoever boosts me to thrive will receive his reward as it is stated by Paul: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. […] He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.” (1 Cor 3:6,8; ESV).

In fact, I am not among those who were born noble according to a secular perspective. However, I did experience a noble birth, which Jesus Christ called “A New Birth.” This precious New Birth sets me apart, and I inherit eternal life. Now, I can shout praises full of joy like David: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” (Ps 139:14 ESV)

Happy Birthday Youbendjy Dorvilier!

Youbendjy Dorvilier, M. Div Student