Recently I am alarmed by the number of Theology graduates that the Adventist University of the Philippines is producing. As of now there are about more than 50 graduates working as “private” or “pre-interns” or “church pastors” in the Central Luzon Conference territory. Just a few months ago, the Central Luzon Conference has stopped hiring of new graduates for the next two years.
I believe that the need for more workers to work in God’s vineyard is increasing every year but the Conference can only hire two or three full-time workers a year. And so the question now is how do we provide “employment” for these Theology graduates whose conviction is they been have called into the gospel ministry?
It’s a fact right now that some of the Theology graduates turn to other professions later after they become disillusioned or discouraged. In CLC alone, the graduates have to wait for an average of 3 to 5 years before they get hired. That is if they ever get hired. Some former schoolmates of mine are now in public service, a vegetable vendor, a public school principal, English tutors, and a taxi driver. Sadly, AUP does not monitor its Theology graduates after they leave the University. A concern that has been discussed since I was still an instructor at the College of Theology way back in 1997.
The NPUC, CLC, and AUP College of Theology need to consider its “production line.” Just imagine the years, and efforts poured out by student, and the painstaking effort involved as parents pour sweat and blood to send their “future pastor son” to school.
And if ever AUP will qualify admission of future pastors, what would the guidelines be? What will its basis be?
Gone are the days when anyone can just be a pastor. Back in the 60’s, anyone who can preach well can be ordained into the ministry. These days however you have to finish a Theology degree and a long list of requirements before you get accepted as an intern.
Certainly the call to the gospel ministry is different from other callings. Being a pastor is not just an option, a vocation, a profession, or a job. It’s a divinely ordained task dedicated to full time service in bringing and nurturing souls to the Kingdom of God.
So what does it take to be a pastor?
Finishing a degree? Relational skills? Communication skills? Evangelism gift? Administrative abilities? Strong pastoral qualities? The list can go on.
How would we qualify, if ever we are to limit, the supply of Theology graduates? Or are there are other possible “jobs’ waiting for these graduates, say like church planting or independent ministries? If so, is it in line with the Spirit’s biblical call to full-time gospel ministry? If so, will it not be divisive of church authority?
Is it time to be directing the energy of some of these Theology students to take another degree and be missionaries in those fields. After all not everyone is called into the full-time “gospel ministry.” Is it?
In my understanding, in the US, some denominations require an MDiv to be ordained or to even pastor a church. (My opinion as to whether this is a correct reqiurement or not is not part of this post).
So, that’ll be an undergrad course — whatever it is, and not necessarily a Theology degree much like the requirements of NPUM/CLC, plus a masteral degree. In my opinion, if a denomination pursues a degree based hiring for qualified pastors, this is the way to go. This way, those who feels a great calling to pastor a church will be the ones to pursue the masteral degree.
I strongly believe that the BTh/HPR model (undergrad) will definitely pose a problem in as far as hiring is concerned. It is a reality that your denomination is not as huge as an industry as, say Accounting profession or engineering profession — where you’ll have a lot of options to pursue based on your undergrad degree. As BTh graduate, to pursue it, you’ll have only one option — denominational work, which isn’t that huge of a chance.