Driving along the other evening the thought crossed my mind, that nearly every article I have read in magazines and other types of read ing offers some sort of conclusion. I ran that through my computer to see if I was correct in my initial thought and decided that as far as my recent reading was concerned, at least, it was true. As a matter of logical procedure the next thing that came to my mind was, "why?" My mind took me back to a brief discussion I had enjoyed that very afternoon in the Campus Coffee Shop. Two students, another staff member, and I were involved in a discussion relating to a question raised by one of the students: "Should I take some time out after I graduate to get my head on straight?" (this included the idea of engaging in some form of secu lar employment). I made a comment off the top of my head in answer to his ques tion. Now, as I drove along, keep ing my eyes on four lanes of traffic during the rush hour, I let my mind dwell on my comment, and I be gan to develop it. Every one of the chosen who followed Christ during His earthly ministry had been trained voca tionally, even Paul, "a s . . . one born out of due time." We can, in light of the Scriptures, and the knowl edge of the cultural pattern of that day, be comfortable with this idea. (John 21:3; I Corinthians 4:11, 12; II Thessalonians 3:7-9). Not only were they trained, but it is either apparent or implied that in the majority of cases they re turned to their vocation at some time, or perhaps several times, during the course of their "Chris tian service." Paul, the tent maker,
is probably the outstanding ex ample. The next thought that came to my mind was at first seemingly unrelated to the rest of the pattern. I began to dwell on the emphasis that is being placed on vocational training. Today the educational pendulum is swinging more evi dently in this direction. All of a sudden the two issues were joined by a question that came as a result of yet another idea. Somewhere I had registered a complaint that many pastors to day do not make doctrinal teach ing relevant to daily living. They offer few applications that are of value to their people. Question: "Could it be that one reason for this is that in too many cases pastors no longer relate to vocational interests?" Is it possible that we would have more effective teachers if our pastors were to some degree more like the original group; more acquainted with the vocationally oriented view of the Christian's life? I am aware that the initial reac tion when such questions come to the fore is a defensive one. Imme diately we come up with "X" num ber of reasons why pastors should be exempt from such involvements. After all, pastors have been unique ly gifted of God as pastor/teacher. There is really no time for such things as learning a trade, or for that matter, even learning about a trade. It is easier to rationalize in this area than it is to discipline ourselves to learn. If we accept this, then we must also accept any cri tique of our ministry, such as, "doctrmally sound, but no practi cal application." If those in the ministry who are
Page 34
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker