Essential Aspects of Theological Education and Ministerial Preparation
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THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION AND
MINISTERIAL PREPARATION
Willie Edward Hucks II
Associate Ministerial Secretary
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Thorough Preparation Necessary
Thorough
preparation of
candidates for
ministry is an
essential task for
guaranteeing the
unity of the
church’s message
and mission.
Role of Ministerial Secretary
While universities and seminaries develop curricula
for their theology and ministerial students, the
ministerial secretary should remain aware of and
contribute to what transpires in ministerial
preparation and theological education.
Ongoing spiritual growth mentoring
Curriculum development
Recruitment
Placement
Areas In Which the Ministerial Secretary
Should Contribute
Ministerial Training Process
3-4 years undergraduate degree in theology or
religion
1-2 years of a field-based internship under the
direction of an intern supervisor-trainer
2-3 years seminary degree
3-4 years of field assignments in preparation for
ordination
Field Assignment Leading to Ordination
Provides young
ministers opportunities
for on-the-job
development that
exceed the internship
that transpired during
university studies –
development that
cannot take place in
the classroom.
Ideally 1-2 years
between university and
seminary studies better
prepares the young
pastor to see the value
of further study. He
can better apply
classroom learning to
real-life situations.
Intern Supervisor Trainers Needed
Such Trainers should possess necessary skills
to pass along their spiritual, evangelistic,
nurturing, and administrative proficiencies.
Cautions
Pastors of large churches are not
necessarily the best candidates for
supervising, training, or mentoring
young pastors.
Young pastors should not be assigned
to a given church simply because an
associate pastor is needed. Doing so
defeats the purpose for placing a
trainee in such a setting.
“In gaining a
preparation for
the ministry…[the
young]…should be
associated with
older ministers.
Those who have
gained an
experience in
active service are
to take young,
inexperienced
workers with them
into the harvest
field, teaching
them how to labor
successfully for the
conversion of
souls….
Ellen G. White Counsel
Ellen G. White Counsel (continued)
“…Kindly and affectionately these older workers
are to help the younger ones to prepare for the
work to which the Lord may call them. And the
young…in training should respect the counsel of
their instructors, honoring their devotion, and
remembering that their years of labor have given
them wisdom.” (
Gospel Workers
, 101)
Looking Ahead to Ordination
Conference leaders are
responsible for adequately
preparing candidates for
ordination within this 10-year
timeframe.
Ordination is the church’s
recognition of God’s call to
ministry upon the life of the
pastor. It is not a reward for a
lifetime of service.
If a candidate is not ready
for ordination within this 10-
year timeframe, that pastor
should be counseled to seek
another line of work.
Final Counsel
The ministerial secretary should clearly explain to
unordained workers the process leading to
ordination. Interns should receive updates annually.
Marriage is not a requirement for ordination.
An appropriate ordination service is outlined in the
Minister’s Handbook
.
Thorough preparation of candidates for ministry is crucial for ensuring the unity of the church's message and mission. The role of the ministerial secretary is vital in contributing to the development of curriculum, ongoing spiritual growth, mentoring, recruitment, and placement. The ministerial training process involves undergraduate and seminary degrees, along with field assignments leading to ordination. Field assignments provide practical development beyond classroom learning, and intern supervisor trainers play a crucial role in passing on essential skills. It is cautioned that pastors of large churches may not always be the best mentors for young pastors, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful placement of trainees.
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THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION AND MINISTERIAL PREPARATION Willie Edward Hucks II Associate Ministerial Secretary General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Thorough Preparation Necessary Thorough preparation of candidates for ministry is an essential task for guaranteeing the unity of the church s message and mission.
Role of Ministerial Secretary While universities and seminaries develop curricula for their theology and ministerial students, the ministerial secretary should remain aware of and contribute to what transpires in ministerial preparation and theological education.
Areas In Which the Ministerial Secretary Should Contribute Ongoing spiritual growth mentoring Curriculum development Recruitment Placement
Ministerial Training Process 3-4 years undergraduate degree in theology or religion 1-2 years of a field-based internship under the direction of an intern supervisor-trainer 2-3 years seminary degree 3-4 years of field assignments in preparation for ordination
Field Assignment Leading to Ordination Provides young ministers opportunities for on-the-job development that exceed the internship that transpired during university studies development that cannot take place in the classroom. Ideally 1-2 years between university and seminary studies better prepares the young pastor to see the value of further study. He can better apply classroom learning to real-life situations.
Intern Supervisor Trainers Needed Such Trainers should possess necessary skills to pass along their spiritual, evangelistic, nurturing, and administrative proficiencies.
Cautions Pastors of large churches are not necessarily the best candidates for supervising, training, or mentoring young pastors. Young pastors should not be assigned to a given church simply because an associate pastor is needed. Doing so defeats the purpose for placing a trainee in such a setting.
Ellen G. White Counsel In gaining a preparation for the ministry [the young] should be associated with older ministers. Those who have gained an experience in active service are to take young, inexperienced workers with them into the harvest field, teaching them how to labor successfully for the conversion of souls .
Ellen G. White Counsel (continued) Kindly and affectionately these older workers are to help the younger ones to prepare for the work to which the Lord may call them. And the young in training should respect the counsel of their instructors, honoring their devotion, and remembering that their years of labor have given them wisdom. (Gospel Workers, 101)
Looking Ahead to Ordination Conference leaders are responsible for adequately preparing candidates for ordination within this 10-year timeframe. Ordination is the church s recognition of God s call to ministry upon the life of the pastor. It is not a reward for a lifetime of service. If a candidate is not ready for ordination within this 10- year timeframe, that pastor should be counseled to seek another line of work.
Final Counsel The ministerial secretary should clearly explain to unordained workers the process leading to ordination. Interns should receive updates annually. Marriage is not a requirement for ordination. An appropriate ordination service is outlined in the Minister s Handbook.
