When you're undereducated

Are you undereducated, as signed to perform a ministry for which you are inadequately trained? Do you lack the academic titles that adorn the names of your peers?

Some pastors, particularly those from economically depressed environments, have not had the same educational opportunities as other clergy. Yet they have the same ministerial functions to perform; they must serve the same congregational nurture needs and community outreach needs. With the requirements of the pastoring profession so diverse and demanding, few would deny that inadequate training is a decided disadvantage. If such is your situation, how do you cope? Some ideas:

1. Value your advantages. Though formal education is vital, the seminary classroom isn't the only place you can learn to meet the needs of people which is what ministry is all about! While your peers were parsing Greek words preparing to be preachers, perhaps you already were leading sinners to the Saviour, learning His lessons day by day. That informal yet practical education is worth something. A great deal, in fact. Moses learned more about leading and nurturing people while chasing Jethro's sheep than he did in the classroom.

Some "higher learning" might not be merely useless but actually counterproductive. While many fine seminaries equip students to be down-toearth expositors, counselors, disciplers, and administrators, other seminaries of many denominations have lost touch with God, His Word, and His people. Perhaps some pastors whose titles you've envied actually were not completely equipped by their seminary training, while your real-life experiences have equipped you for real-life ministry.

Remember, this is not to disparage education. On the contrary, a trained pastor who remains humble and godly can be far more effective than an equally committed but undereducated peer.

2. Accept what you cannot change. Whatever your limitations, educational and otherwise, you are complete in Christ as God's precious child and anointed servant. But if your level of ministerial development makes you a moped instead of a Mercedes, better not try to speed down the fast lane of every autobahn of opportunity. Don't venture beyond the dirt paths of your limitations unless the Lord deploys the angel Gabriel to send you on some special mission. To make this practi cal: if you don't know Hebrew and Greek, avoid making a fool of your self by posturing as a biblical scholar. Instead, content yourself with polishing the gems that others have mined from the original languages, along with gathering the practical jewels strewn throughout the surface of Scripture's landscape. In everything you teach, point to the Pearl of great price, and your members will rise up and call you blessed.

3. Change what you cannot accept. You may not be a trained biblical scholar, but you don't have to stay that way. Throughout your ministry you may have many continuing education opportunities. Let church leaders know how eager you are to sharpen your skills so you can serve the Lord more efficiently and effectively. But perhaps no leave of absence is possible outside your field of labor, even for a short summer course at a seminary. Then attend field schools and in-service seminars.

If you live in a part of the world in which no educational opportunities of any kind are available, there are many informal opportunities you can exploit. Nothing beats the Bible itself as a source of wisdom and knowledge; all true education is based on the Book. And beyond the Bible, every good book you read is a chapter in your continuing education. Your General Conference Ministerial Association is committed to providing pastors around the world the finest resources at mini mum cost. Additionally, there are increasingly exciting tools available in computer Bible study. Some CD-ROM programs provide access to the He brew and Greek in ways never before available to nonscholars.

Nobody knows everything. Even the finest scholars have just islands of expertise amid oceans of ignorance. But if you faithfully avail yourself of every educational opportunity, in years to come you will unquestionably be the scholastic equal of most fellow pastors. Too often seminary graduates conclude their education when they leave the classroom. Intellectually and scholastically they go downhill the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, you can be learning and growing all the time for the glory of God and the good of His people.

4. Remember that God has no limitations. The Lord can easily override our education or lack thereof to fulfill His purpose for our ministry. Often He veils Himself from the supposedly wise and reveals Himself unto babes (see Luke 10:21). "God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen" (1 Cor. 1:27,28). Why? "That no flesh should glory in His presence" (verse 29).

A stroll down the hallway of salvation history will humble human pride. When Jesus was born in a barn to a peasant virgin, God bypassed the scholars and scribes to herald the In carnation. Cave-dwelling shepherds communicated the good tidings of great joy. To proclaim the resurrected Christ, once again God boycotted the religious intelligentsia, employing a scorned but reclaimed prostitute. At Pentecost divine wisdom spoke through a foolhardy fisherman with an embarrassing history of foul speech.

What to conclude from all this? God will be God. Hallelujah! He uses the uneducated slingshot just as readily as the sophisticated sword. He will finish His work in simple ways using people of simple faith. So whatever our level of education may be, let's make ourselves available to Him and then make the best of whatever we have and whatever we are. We need not allow past circumstances to limit our future. God will then work through us, beyond us, and even in spite of us to achieve His sovereign purposes.