Would Charles Haddon Spurgeon be able to be a pastor today? I ask this question in the wake of the surge and charge towards “acadamia” in the church world today. It seems to me that more churches are looking for “MDivs” than they are spiritual men. Should education be the prerequisite for being a pastor? Especially when there is no mention in the qualifications of an elder in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1? Which should rule in this domain- a degree in Theology, or an apparent anointing upon one’s life?
If you think I am being anti-intellectual, think again, please. I am all for education. However, if you consider Spurgeon who never got ordained, nor a MDiv, he could not apply for most of the open pulpits today. In fact, he would not even be considered as qualified by the majority of churches in America because he lacked what they saw as a necessity to be a godly pastor. Am I afar off? I think not. Take a look at many of the postings on the web and you will see minimum requirement- MDiv. Where would that leave Mr. Spurgeon?
All I am saying is this; I agree with John Piper when he said, “Brothers; we are not professionals.” If the Lord saw fit to anoint ignorant fishermen and make them apostles and elders over His flock, why is the modern church afraid to at least interview someone who is not degreed? The bottom line is simply this- Education does not make a pastor, the Holy Ghost does. That’s the way I see it.
