Lutheran clergy must earn a 4 yr. undergrad degree, then go on to seminary. Talking roughly a master’s degree. I would suspect it is not all that different from Catholic training.I’m very impressed with the amount of education and training that goes into being a Catholic priest or Deacon. How much education and training goes into being a minister in a Protestant denomination, or does it vary with the denomination?
It varies greatly. The mainline protestant churches (Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal, etc) all have seminary requirements of some sort. Most a graduate degree.I’m very impressed with the amount of education and training that goes into being a Catholic priest or Deacon. How much education and training goes into being a minister in a Protestant denomination, or does it vary with the denomination?
What about Baptist ministers? Anyone know what they require?Just to echo the previous posters:
A Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree is the typical degree for a minister. As mentioned, most of the older denominations, or those with older constituent denominations (i.e. PCUSA, UCC, UMC, etc) have stricter educational standards. Some ministers, regardless of denomination, will obtain a bachelor’s degree at a Bible college or other Christian college (while others may get their undergrad in a different program, such as English) with a major in Biblical Studies or “Pre-Theology”, although Bible colleges seem to be more common amongst the more conservative groups.
There are many denominations that do not have educational requirements. The church in which I have been serving the last few years is one of those. There are 2 year, unaccredited “Bible colleges” (basically discipleship programs), but no degree/certificate/etc. is required for ministry. In general, a local pastor will ordain someone (often along with a few local elders).
So, to answer your question:
It depends!
No less than 4 year plus seminary. Some have phd,sWhat about Baptist ministers? Anyone know what they require?
Actually, the requirements vary. There are Southern Baptists, American Baptists, Independent Baptists, and they all have varying levels of autonomy and requirements for ministry. Although many do have formal education, it is not required by most baptist associations. Members of the Southern Baptist Convention seem to have the most requirements regarding formal education.No less than 4 year plus seminary. Some have phd,s
I dont find formal education necessarily elitist and destructive, quite the opposite actually but on a practical level it seems the higher the requirements the more chance of a shortage.In the Universal Life Church (Modesto) we are ordained via the internet or by mail taking around 48 hours to record in the records since the ordination process is between us and our soul. Education tends tovary some have formal degrees, others are self-educated or are trained in their faith path (Wicca, Druidism or the like). As a Christian Anarchist I feel the education is personal the Bible, reading it and reflections on what is read in prayer to God with other sources as I feel drawn to use them by God.
I for one consider such high levels of formal education both elitist and destructive to the faith which is simple and should stay simple as reflective of the mercy of the Lord and those principles He taught us. But that is my theological beliefs not many share them sadly.
My husbands’ family is from the First Baptist Church, which is why I was asking.Actually, the requirements vary. There are Southern Baptists, American Baptists, Independent Baptists, and they all have varying levels of autonomy and requirements for ministry. Although many do have formal education, it is not required by most baptist associations. Members of the Southern Baptist Convention seem to have the most requirements regarding formal education.
While there are some churches that do not require formal education, there are not that many of them. Some do not have a written rule about it, but candidates without education would be sent to the bottom of the pile. Joel Osteen would probably never have been hired by his own church if they were recruiting a new pastor. His father John Osteen who started the church held a doctorate and was ordained as a Baptist minister before becoming an independent charismatic. Joel just fell into the job when his father died. A lot of people thought that the church would not be able to continue without John. He proved to be a natural even if your opinion is that he is only a natural flimflam man. I am not a fan of his, but I do live in Houston and have witnessed the phenomenon first hand.From there, you span the spectrum down to no formal training at all. For instance Joel Osteen, millionaire mega-church pastor, has no seminary training at all. He never finished college.
It all depends on the churchofChrist congregation. I too was raised in this denomination that claims not to be a denomination, and each congregation set’s it’s own educational requirements. Some need a bible degree from a cofc university, others need a diploma from a school of preaching.What is required does not always jibe with what actually exists. Even many Church of Christ preachers have at least a 4 year bible degree, yet many today have Masters or even PhD s in some situations.
I’ve known preachers without degrees as well but in the smaller communities ypically known as antis. The are "conservative conservatives’ and not the happiest people you’ll find. My 2 oldest BILs are preachers, one is now an elder too. One has a couple of masters degrees and the other has equivalent to a 2 year degree. A third dropped out only needing to turn in a paper and chose to abandon it all together coming to a point he broke from the faith that it was the one true faith and was tired of the hypocrisy. I too wanted to become a preacher and even had a scholarship in the works for 75% tuition for ACU.It all depends on the churchofChrist congregation. I too was raised in this denomination that claims not to be a denomination, and each congregation set’s it’s own educational requirements. Some need a bible degree from a cofc university, others need a diploma from a school of preaching.
The more urban a cofc is the higher the requirements are, but they have not one seminary in the acapella church of Christ.
Yes, I am well acquainted with Lakewood Church. I grew up outside Houston and lived in Houston for 15 years.While there are some churches that do not require formal education, there are not that many of them. Some do not have a written rule about it, but candidates without education would be sent to the bottom of the pile. Joel Osteen would probably never have been hired by his own church if they were recruiting a new pastor. His father John Osteen who started the church held a doctorate and was ordained as a Baptist minister before becoming an independent charismatic. Joel just fell into the job when his father died. A lot of people thought that the church would not be able to continue without John. He proved to be a natural even if your opinion is that he is only a natural flimflam man. I am not a fan of his, but I do live in Houston and have witnessed the phenomenon first hand.
This confirms the stories I’ve heard about Olsteen. This man is really disturbing to Christianity, not in a good way. His entire ministry floats upon the heresy of blessings theology, not the word of God. If he was at least a bible believing Christian it would imply that he can see very clearly that the scriptures tell you that “people will hate you because of me”, according to Jesus. The apostles tell us the same things and even tell us to pray and fast [not a protestant practice among those of Olsteen’s persuasion]. I do not mean to detract from the man but what he does publicly distorts the truth in so many ways it is offensive, I know, to God, based on scripture alone [and I’m Catholic]. Once in a blue moon he says something that actually rings true.Yes, I am well acquainted with Lakewood Church. I grew up outside Houston and lived in Houston for 15 years.
His father truly strived to be a man of God, following him in the best way he knew how. He was a pioneer in desegregation in Houston churches. He worked tirelessly for the poor.
How he produced such a self-centered, film-flam of a son is beyond me.