Ministry Credentials

Dear Victorious,

What are the most important credentials for ministry as a profession?

Edward C. - Dallas, TX

Dear Edward,

I suppose it would depend on who you ask. Ask most churches, denominations or other organized religions and you'll get one kind of answer. It will usually include things like a Master of Divinity degree, seminary graduate and maybe some experience in a church. Oddly enough, most job listings for positions in churches or major ministries tend not to require the things that are Biblical. (Seminary - for example - is not a requirement for New Testament churches.)

The book of Acts talks about the first church, after Jesus. The Holy Spirit came upon them and they were changed. Peter preached and 3,000 made commitments to Christ. Thereafter their numbers increased daily. They were all in agreement, and even sold what they had to provide for each other. Yet Peter didn't have ministry credentials as we know them. He had simply been with Jesus, learned the character and nature of Christ, and was changed to the point that he was sold out for Christ.

The book of First Timothy also gives us credentials for church leaders. They are to live lives above reproach. They are to be faithful, good stewards, good husbands and fathers, submitted to the authority over them, etc. Simply put, they are to have become righteous men and women. Of course none of us is righteous, so we would be well on our way to sanctification by the time we meet this kind of criteria.

So what are the most important credentials for ministry as a profession?

First, you would have to stop thinking of it as a profession. You would have to be so sold out for Christ that it would not be possible for you to do anything else. (If you can do something else, then you probably should!)

Second, you would need to be so close to Christ as to be changed by His very presence. His will, criteria for decisions and desires would all have to become yours. (Jesus said anyone who wants to be His disciple must deny themselves and carry the cross for Him.)

Skills and knowledge can be acquired in many different ways but just about anyone. But I believe the above two credentials are the most important.