What does it take to be a pastor and how do I know if I’m called? These questions are healthy and warranted when desiring the calling of a pastor (I Timothy 3:1). Whatever the title, pastor, priest, elder, chaplain, or reverend, it is an important office that has been protected by the Church and her people. The Scriptures are clear on the moral guidelines for a pastor (I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-16), but I hope to cover three helpful ‘calling grounds’ for ministry that will help you with your questions. These ‘calling grounds,' as I’m naming them, have historically protected the people of God from false shepherds and inept ministers. Moreover, these institutions will aid the aspiring pastor in processing their call and equipping them for the work of the ministry.
First, the pastoral candidate should seek ordination approval by his local congregation (and thus tradition—more on that later). The body of believers (leaders and parishioners) confirmation or opposition to your calling is paramount to the scope of ministry. Without it, you’re not a pastor. The people of God recognize and affirm your calling. If they dissent, one would be wise to wait and listen. This is a historic safeguard of the Church that fences this sacred calling from unqualified or incompetent leaders. Also, ordination will tether you to a bishop, priest, or ruling Elder/s that help you care for yourself and the people of God.
Secondly the pastor should seek formal graduate-level ministerial training. No one would go to a doctor who has “only learned by experience,” or has “focused on the practical and stayed away from the ivory tower.” Not only would the doctor be reported, but no one would allow them to operate on their bodies! How much more important is a doctor of souls. The Word is the minister’s scalpel and they should be careful not to wound because of their clumsy cuts. Seminary training, by other trained scholar-practitioners, is a time to develop a deep understanding of God, his Word, the Church, counseling, biblical languages, writing, preaching, doctrine, and a myriad of other crucial subjects for ministry.
Seminary is an opportunity to have your calling confirmed or by God’s grace remove you from the burden of pastoral ministry. Most importantly, you will develop disciplines of grace and habits of mind that will shape the rest of your ministry. A pastor’s work has serious spiritual significance with substantial duties and severe consequences. Like any serious calling, one does not simply learn by practicing. Certainly, there are times to apprenticeship yourself to practitioners, but one must understand the why, before one effectively practices.
Thirdly, and typically connected to ordination through a local church, the pastoral candidate would seek to tether themselves to a tradition. Your tradition or denomination will have certain qualifications and inherited practices for a pastor that they must adhere to and follow. These qualifications should be embraced as they aid you in your personal and professional growth. Your tradition also provides anchors for good theological discipline and practice and the right structures for handling holy institutes and sacraments. Also, your tradition helps you stay bound to the practices, methods, and theology that brings coherence and vision to your ministry. Moreover, this ‘traditioning’ connects you to the life of the catholic (universal) Church, its history and practice, and helps you know thy pastoring self. Once tethered to a tradition a pastor has access to the full weight of the ecclesiastical and historic orthodoxy that brings clarity, consistency, and resonance to your ministry and practice.
Those who don’t have confirmation of the church, theological training, and a tradition-centered ministry, cut themselves off from the historic church, the orthodox faith, and the practices of grace that have grounded the church and her leaders for over two millennia.