Barnabas File

Our churches and the environment in which they minister is changing.  The theological institutions that were created to serve the churches are not only aware of this but are seeking to be relevant in the situation. I write about this as a person with contacts in theological education.  I serve as an adjunct instructor for a seminary, read reports and articles from the Association of Theological Schools, and talk regularly both with pastors and with theological educators.  Writing as one who has his nose under the tent, I suggest that theological schools provide several services in the future if they intend to survive and prosper. 1.  Preparing ministers for parish and congregational ministry.  Churches will continue to seek seminary-trained clergy and look to established institutions to provide them.  In addition to learning skills in preaching, biblical interpretation, teaching, and pastoral care, prospective ministers will also need to learn ...

During the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in Greensboro last month, I attended a workshop led by Bo Prosser, CBF Coordinator of Organizational Relationships, and Gary Skeen, President of the CBF Church Benefits Board.  They announced the launch of an initiative by CBF to address the economic challenges facing pastoral leaders which is largely funded by a grant from the Lilly Foundation. One of the most striking parts of the meeting was the report of a survey of 642 pastoral leaders on the topic.  Four pressing concerns were identified from this data. First, those surveyed carried a heavy debt load.  Of those surveyed, 67 percent carry a debt that equaled up to two times their annual salary.  Student loans or educational debt made up 41 percent of respondent debt. Second, health benefits are limited.  Forty-four percent of the participants did not receive medical benefits from their employers.  Of this 44 pe...