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‘What Should I Do to Become a Pastor?’

I work for a seminary, but my advice for aspiring ministers doesn’t start there.
‘What Should I Do to Become a Pastor?’
Image: Blend Images - Hill Street Studios / Getty

“What should I do to become a pastor?”

Recently a young man asked me this question via text message. I imagine you have been asked the same question by someone in your congregation—an eager person looking to take the next step in their spiritual growth. You probably have a safe guess as to what my answer was, especially since I am the director of the Western Seminary Seattle Teaching Site. We all know the assumed logic in America for landing a career:

1. Decide what to do with your life.

2. Go to school to learn the skillset.

3. Graduate from said school.

4. Get hired for a job using that skillset.

Now substitute “school” with “seminary,” and voilà! You have a career in pastoring … right?

You might be surprised to learn that this isn’t the answer I texted back to the aspiring pastor, and it isn’t the answer I hope pastors give congregants who ask the same question. In the Bible, those God called to shepherd his people didn’t ...

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