The goal of seminary training is to prepare the student as a servant of men. This does not mean that the min ister is to become a type of glorified church bell-hop. Sometimes it is right to say no to some demands as well as yes to others. This means that through a close walk with the Lord, much study of the Word with prayer, and much observation of the needs of men, we are to discover the basic re quirements of those to whom we min ister. Then thought is to be given to how the need may best be met. With the love of Christ motivating the un dershepherd, he is to spend and be spent in the service of men. This calls for humility, for the performance of many acts of simple kindness. Spir itual ideals and goals are ever to be kept before us. Knowledge and heart experience must be joined. If there be success or failure in the days of ministry, it will be in direct propor tion to the surrender or non-surren der of the life to Christ as Lord, and to fellowmen for Jesus’ sake.
One night I seized and held him fast The veil from him did draw , 1 gazed upon his face at last— And lo! myself I saw.
Whether the life is brought under the full control of the Lord or not, matters in preparation for the minis try in a way it could not for one studying law, dentistry, medicine, or many other professions. It is a mat ter of the will, and we must say hon estly, “Not my will, but Thine, O Lord, be done.” Some measure of surrender to Christ has already been realized before entrance to seminary. If the opportunities of seminary days are used aright, they should mean not only academic equipment, but fuller meaning and depth of commitment to Christ as Lord. Such a surrendered life does not spell monotonous uni formity. The Spirit of God has a way of taking the special and unique mind and personality, and making it serve His sacred design. First and last, sem inary students are meant to be slaves, bondservants of Christ.
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