The “pipeline” of candidates for pastoral vacancies continues to narrow. There are less qualified people applying for open positions, and less students attending seminaries seeking an M.Div. path to ordination. This shortage is most keenly felt in rural, urban or declining congregations, where it has become increasing difficult to find M.Div– or M.Div. equivalent-ordained pastors … but especially in rural churches. Interestingly, this has become a challenge in church planting as well.
The typical pathway for a Commissioned or Lay Pastor is:
Pathway 1: For a church to identify an individual within the local church willing to preach and provide other pastoral services, to elect him/her as an elder, and then have the congregation vote to call that person as a Commissioned (or Lay) Pastor (CP). Then in denominational circle to present that person to a regional committee for interview over basic knowledge of the Bible and theology, and basic understanding of pastoral ministry. Usually, no previous training or “continuing education” is required.
Understanding the shortcomings of this system, Heartland has developed the following additional “outside the box” options to not only provide more CPs, but also better ones:
Pathway 2: Make available to a CP who has NO DESIRE to pursue an M.Div. or equivalent, but understands the value of “continuing education,” an 8-course Certificate Program (for those without a bachelor’s degree) or a 10-course Master of Arts Program (for those with a bachelor’s degree), ideally taking at least 2 courses per year until completed. CP’s would be assigned to and meet regularly with a mentor.
The 10-course MA Program would involve 5 practical ministry courses currently required of MDiv and MDiv-equivalent recipients for ordination, plus one course each in Old Testament, New Testament, biblical interpretation, theology and church history. The 8-course Certificate Program would involve only 4 of the practical ministry courses, and all 8 courses being scaled to an undergraduate rather than graduate level.
Pathway 3: Encourage a CP who DESIRES to pursue an M.Div. or equivalent to take 2-3 (or more) graduate level courses per year, involving one or two biblical/theological courses and one practical ministry course per year, and be assigned to and meet with a mentor regularly.
Pathway 4—Specifically designed for Evangelist CP’s who are planting churches:
Utilize Pathway 2 or 3, as seems best to the candidate and the church. A special Certificate program, MA program or a 72-credit MDiv degree in “Church Planting” is available— the latter with four courses specifically focused on the theology, history and practice of church planting.
Pathway 4 is also available for anyone wishing to focus on either Rural or Urban ministry, integrating 4 courses each in either rural or urban ministry, and also available in either Certificate, MA or MDiv programs.