Why do people spend their time and money studying theology? Why do some preachers have to study theology before they serve in the church?
I have been serving in the church since I finished my theological study in a seminary. I gradually found the importance of theological education.
I have encountered a lot of enthusiastic brothers and sisters saying that they would like to preach the gospel. However, they usually deviate from the normal track or return to the status quo.
They haven't received any theological education. They decided to devote to the church only owing to their enthusiasm.
Some people may say that the old generation of preachers could serve the church without studying theology. In the past, the conditions were hard. Nowadays many seminaries and theological training classes arise in China. Why don't we make full advantage of them?
China's theological education system is still not perfect. There are several serious problems in China's theological education. We should think of it.
1. Many seminaries without high-quality education
In recent years, the number of theological schools in China is growing rapidly. Once upon a time I went to a church and I heard that the church is going to open a theological training class.
In fact, there are already a lot of theological schools. There is no need to set up another theological class. Carrying out theological education is not easy. It requires a lot of manpower, material, and financial resources.
There are many seminaries, but the quality of education is a problem. which is very common in China's seminaries today. Many theological students go to the seminary in order to get the diploma, and some students return to society after graduating. They even lost their faith.
Although some students accepted education, their spiritual life has not been nurtured. They didn't learn any truth in the Bible.
Many seminaries and theological schools do not know what their purpose is. The students only regard theological learning as a task.
On one occasion, I was studying in a theological training class sponsored by the church. The teachers were preachers in the church. Many of them don't have enough theological knowledge. Theological colleges are not the more, the better. We shall focus on how to improve the quality of education.
2.Many teachers without enough experts
A brother claimed to be a theological teacher. In fact, he just copied some documents from someone else's computer. Then, he took the documents to the seminary and taught students.
Someone said that preachers should be capable of doing anything. It is a common problem in China's churches. A preacher may know a little about everything but he is not expert at anything.
There are many teachers but few experts in China's theological classes and seminaries. No one is willing to explore in depth. Many preachers participate in different kinds of activities such as teaching, praying, studying Bible and evangelism. People think they are perfect preachers. In fact, they are not expert at anything.
Many pastors and leaders of foreign churches have gained masters or Ph.D. of theology. Some of them are experts at New Testament and others are specialized in a particular subject.
Teachers play an important role in improving the quality of education. Teachers should be strict with themselves and constantly update the knowledge system.
3.The cultivation of spiritual life is lacking
Jesus told us, "I have come to give people life and enrich their life."
Therefore, teachers in the seminary should live according to God's words and influence their students with their words and deeds.
Studying theology is to learn God's words. However, too many seminaries and theological training classes just lecture students and tell them chicken soup for the soul, which cannot affect and change people's lives.
A teacher of a seminary is not a Christian, but he also teaches theology. It is natural that he has just taught some knowledge. He didn't nurture students' spiritual life because he didn't have one himself.
A teacher must combine teaching with research. The teacher shouldn't repeat their work day after day. They should reflect their teaching and promote it. A qualified theological teacher also nurtures spiritual life.
Confucius once said, "If you can one day renovate yourself, do so from day to day and let there be daily renovation." The teacher should teach students under the guidance of the Holy Spirit instead of their own knowledge.
4. Lack of down-to-earth practice
In the church, we often heard many old ministers evaluate students with such words: They have knowledge but still lack experience and practice.
Therefore, many students were not encouraged to return to the church. They were not able to play a role in the daily job of the church.
Today, many students graduate from seminaries with no experience. They didn't have the opportunity to practice their knowledge into daily life when they were in seminaries or theological training classes.
A foreign theological training course takes two years. From Monday to Friday the students receive knowledge in class. At weekends they engage in various church services, including preaching, evangelism, visiting patients and serving in a nursing home. Every sister is a master of driving. After two years of study， students could continue to study in the seminary and then become a qualified leader of the church.
There is a famous saying goes that example is better than precept. For a student studying theology, speaking on the podium is not enough. We should put our knowledge into practice. We shall take action to witness the gospel and serve the church.
Translated By: Emma Ma.
