Jason K. Allen's Blog, page 2

Lord’s Day Meditation “And God saw the light.” by C.H. Spurgeon

(Morning and Evening, January 5, Morning)

“And God saw the light.” (Genesis 1:4)

This morning we noticed the goodness of the light, and the Lord’s dividing it from the darkness, we now note the special eye which the Lord had for the light. “God saw the light”–he looked at it with complacency, gazed upon it with pleasure, saw that it “was good.” If the Lord has given you light, dear reader, he looks on that light with peculiar interest; for not only is it dear to him as his own handiwork, but because it is like himself, for “He is light.” Pleasant it is to the believer to know that God’s eye is thus tenderly observant of that work of grace which he has begun. He never loses sight of the treasure which he has placed in our earthen vessels. Sometimes we cannot see the light, but God always sees the light, and that is much better than our seeing it. Better for the judge to see my innocence than for me to think I see it.

It is very comfortable for me to know that I am one of God’s people–but whether I know it or not, if the Lord knows it, I am still safe. This is the foundation, “The Lord knoweth them that are his.” You may be sighing and groaning because of inbred sin, and mourning over your darkness, yet the Lord sees “light” in your heart, for he has put it there, and all the cloudiness and gloom of your soul cannot conceal your light from his gracious eye. You may have sunk low in despondency, and even despair; but if your soul has any longing towards Christ, and if you are seeking to rest in his finished work, God sees the “light.” He not only sees it, but he also preserves it in you. “I, the Lord, do keep it.” This is a precious thought to those who, after anxious watching and guarding of themselves, feel their own powerlessness to do so. The light thus preserved by his grace, he will one day develop into the splendour of noonday, and the fulness of glory. The light within is the dawn of the eternal day.

Lord’s Day Meditation: Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

(Morning and Evening, January 4, Morning)

“Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

“Grow in grace”–not in one grace only, but in all grace. Grow in that root-grace, faith. Believe the promises more firmly than you have done. Let faith increase in fulness, constancy, simplicity. Grow also in love. Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word, and deed. Grow likewise in humility. Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward–having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus. May God the Holy Spirit enable you to “grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour.” He who grows not in the knowledge of Jesus, refuses to be blessed.

To know him is “life eternal,” and to advance in the knowledge of him is to increase in happiness. He who does not long to know more of Christ, knows nothing of him yet. Whoever hath sipped this wine will thirst for more, for although Christ doth satisfy, yet it is such a satisfaction, that the appetite is not cloyed, but whetted. If you know the love of Jesus–as the hart panteth for the water-brooks, so will you pant after deeper draughts of his love. If you do not desire to know him better, then you love him not, for love always cries, “Nearer, nearer.” Absence from Christ is hell; but the presence of Jesus is heaven. Rest not then content without an increasing acquaintance with Jesus. Seek to know more of him in his divine nature, in his human relationship, in his finished work, in his death, in his resurrection, in his present glorious intercession, and in his future royal advent. Abide hard by the Cross, and search the mystery of his wounds. An increase of love to Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of his love to us is one of the best tests of growth in grace.

Pick The Right Institution

Here at Midwestern Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, I want my students to enjoy what I experienced during my own ministry preparation and what, by God’s grace, we have to offer. And I want you to be similarly selective, whether God calls you to Kansas City or to some other faithful evangelical seminary. But in order to enjoy what I’ve been describing; you need to know what to look for.

Here are the nine must-ask questions that will help you pick the right institution:

1. WHAT ARE THE SEMINARY’S CONFESSIONAL COMMITMENTS?

All students should know what they can expect to be taught, and they should know it f rom the beginning. Does the institution have a confessional statement? If so, is it largely a formal- ity or a functioning instrument of accountability? What does the seminary believe and teach about the Bible, the gospel, the church, marriage and gender, and the image of God? As a prospective student, does the confessional statement align with your own convictions? Is the seminary positioned to undergird, not undermine, your faith?

Midwestern Seminary is an unapologetically confessional in- stitution, happily teaching in accordance with, and not con- trary to, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000. Additionally, our professors ink their names to the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy, the Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and the Nashville Statement on Human Sexuality and Gender Roles. Each professor must affirm these documents and teach in accordance with them. As a student, you may not affirm every point of these confessions, but it’s important for you to know where your professors stand on essential matters.

2. WHAT IS THE SEMINARY’S PURPOSE?

Why does the seminary say it exists? Can you clearly state its calling, and does that calling resonate with yours? If you don’t know why the seminary exists, it might not know either!

Every seminary, worthy of consideration ought to be about the business of serving the church. John Piper encourages prospective students: “Look for a love for the church. Look for a passion to be connected with the church, not loners off doing their own academic thing, but [people who are] part of the church. . . . They want to feed the church and provide leaders for the church.”

I’m so committed to this conviction at Midwestern Seminary that we’ve adopted it formally: For the Church. These three words are our guiding vision, shaping each decision we make, each position we fill, each event we host, each initiative we launch, and, most definitely, each class we teach. A seminary isn’t required to have For the Church as their official mission statement, of course, but they must be an institution precommitted to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.

3. WHOM DOES THE SEMINARY SERVE?

Every seminary has a constituency—a group they look to please and under whose oversight they serve. For some semi- naries, that might be an active alumni base, a generous group of donors, or some other subset of their denomination.

When you figure out who the seminary strives to serve, that will tell you a great deal about the school. It will indicate the type of faculty they will hire, the campus community they will cultivate, the events they will sponsor, and a host of other things. Ferret out whom the institution purports to serve, and how they go about that service.

4. HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

In North America, the cost of higher education has skyrocketed. This is true in every field of study, including theological education. Thankfully, due to the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptist seminaries remain more affordable— especially when compared to other evangelical institutions.

Yet even for institutions generously supported by their denomination, you should carefully review what they charge. What’s their tuition and fee structure? What’s the cost of liv- ing on or near campus? Are there hidden fees buried within their catalog? These are vital questions because they will affect how much you have to work during seminary, how quickly you can complete your degree, and the extent to which you may have to incur debt.

5. IS THE SCHOOL SPIRITUALLY VIBRANT?

This question is difficult to answer from a distance, but it is important. Is the seminary a dry place that so prizes academic achievement that the spiritual disciplines are not championed? Is there a warmth and vibrancy to the chapel hour? Are prayer, Bible intake, worship, evangelism, and personal holiness cherished? Do you get a sense that godly professors are leading and attempting to build a God-honoring institution?

While it may be hard to ascertain answers to some of these questions, call around to local associational leaders, nearby churches, trusted alumni, and anyone else who might have in- sight on the school’s spiritual vibrancy.

6. WILL THERE BE MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES?

Every seminary worth its salt will have formal, local-church expectations for its students. Minimally, this will include active church membership. Yet students ought to desire more than this. The best ministry preparation weds classroom instruction with weekly local-church service. You should, therefore, not only look for a healthy seminary but also nearby healthy churches, where you can plug in and, perhaps, enjoy a paid ministry position.

At Midwestern Seminary, one of the ways we encourage this is with our Timothy Track program. The Timothy Track offers select residential MDiv students on-the-field ministry training in a local ministry context. Regardless of whether you’re able to participate in a program like the Timothy Track, though, it is vital to gain ministry experience while completing your studies. Keep this in mind as you survey seminaries.

7. WHO COMPRISES THE SCHOOL’S FACULTY?

It is impossible for a seminary to rise beyond its faculty. So ask yourself: Who teaches there? What are they known for? Will they be accessible to you? Are they willing to invest in you personally? John Piper is right: “Don’t look for a building. Don’t look for a campus. Don’t look for a library. Don’t look for a location. Look for a faculty.”

This is more than a rundown of who’s published what (though writing is an essential part of a faculty member’s work). If theological education were merely about publications, you could just buy books, read them, and save yourself a lot of time and money. But does the faculty actu- ally invest in students? Are internships available? Are leading professors present and accessible? Does the faculty view students as an interruption to their call- ing or as their calling?

8. WHAT IS THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY LIKE?

Seminary is so much more than the formal classroom teaching. Yes, ministry preparation is taught, but it is also “caught.” This takes place over coffee, in chapel, at campus events, in student housing, and in countless other venues. Is the campus community one in which you can envision yourself growing, both in Christ and in your ministry pursuit?

This is more than an assessment of amenities and events; it also entails the vibe on the ground. Is it a cheerful institution? Are the faculty, staff, and students happy to be there and en- couraged about their future? Is the seminary a natural place of encouragement, organic discipleship, and group synergy about kingdom matters? Such elements should play a key role in your decision-making.

9. IS THE GREAT COMMISSION CELEBRATED?

Lastly, is personal evangelism and the Great Commission a box to be checked or is it an essential part of the seminary community? Does the institution long for the Lord to summon workers for the harvest? Are outreach opportunities and international mission trips front and center? Does the faculty engage in personal evangelism and let it shape their classroom instruction? Do you sense a burden for lostness, a love for the community, and a heart for the nations? If not, you will likely be served best by another seminary.

Ministry is too high a calling to enter ill-prepared, and picking a seminary is too serious a decision to make lightly. There are other considerations one should make in choosing a seminary, but these nine questions are a great place to start. Do not enroll in a seminary without carefully considering them. Nothing short of your ministry future—and the good of Christ’s church—is at stake.

________________________

Excerpted from Succeeding at Seminary: 12 Keys to Getting the Most Out of Your Theological Education by Jason K. Allen (© 2021). Published by Moody Publishers. Used by permission.

Lord’s Day Meditation: “I will give thee for a covenant of the people.” By C.H. Spurgeon

(Morning and Evening, January 3, Morning)

“I will give thee for a covenant of the people.” (Isaiah 49:8)

Jesus Christ is himself the sum and substance of the covenant, and as one of its gifts. He is the property of every believer. Believer, canst thou estimate what thou hast gotten in Christ? “In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Consider that word “God” and its infinity, and then meditate upon “perfect man” and all his beauty; for all that Christ, as God and man, ever had, or can have, is thine–out of pure free favour, passed over to thee to be thine entailed property forever. Our blessed Jesus, as God, is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent. Will it not console you to know that all these great and glorious attributes are altogether yours? Has he power? That power is yours to support and strengthen you, to overcome your enemies, and to preserve you even to the end. Has he love? Well, there is not a drop of love in his heart which is not yours; you may dive into the immense ocean of his love, and you may say of it all, “It is mine.” Hath he justice? It may seem a stern attribute, but even that is yours, for he will by his justice see to it that all which is promised to you in the covenant of grace shall be most certainly secured to you. And all that he has as perfect man is yours. As a perfect man the Father’s delight was upon him. He stood accepted by the Most High. O believer, God’s acceptance of Christ is thine acceptance; for knowest thou not that the love which the Father set on a perfect Christ, he sets on thee now? For all that Christ did is thine. That perfect righteousness which Jesus wrought out, when through his stainless life he kept the law and made it honourable, is thine, and is imputed to thee. Christ is in the covenant.

“My God, I am thine–what a comfort divine!

What a blessing to know that the Saviour is mine!

In the heavenly Lamb thrice happy I am,

And my heart it doth dance at the sound of his name.”

Keys to Stewarding Time in Seminary

We must remember that stewarding time wisely isn’t just a matter of time management or life hacks; it is a kingdom priority. Consider Ephesians 5:15-16: “So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.”

Paul is calling us to be mindful of how we conduct our everyday lives. He summons us to be wise walkers, and then clarifies the how: by making the most of our time. Commentator Peter O’Brien helpfully notes:

The verb “redeem” is drawn from the commercial language of the marketplace, and its prefix denotes an intensive activity, a buying which exhausts the possibilities available. It seems better, then, to understand the expression as metaphorical, signifying to “make the most of the time.” Believers will act wisely by snapping up every opportunity that comes.

That last sentence is a tight paraphrase that captures Paul’s sentiment. We are to use our time to advance the cause of Christ.

Additionally, note Paul’s reason for redeeming the time – “because the days are evil.” Maximizing our time is hard enough, but we also have a real adversary who opposes us. O’Brien’s comments are again helpful:

The notion that “the days are evil” appears to be similar to the idea of “this present evil age” in Galatians 1:4 (cf. “the evil day,” Eph. 6:13). These “evil” days are under the control of the prince of the power of the air (Eph. 2:2), who is opposed to God and his purposes. He exercises effective  and compelling authority over men and women outside of Christ, keeping them in terrible bondage (2:1-3). But the Ephesian Christians have already participated in the world to come, the powers of the new age have broken in upon them, and they have become “light in the Lord” (5:8). Although they live in the midst of these evil days as they await their final redemption, they are neither to avoid them nor to fear them. Rather, they are to live wisely, taking advantage of every opportunity in this fallen world to conduct themselves in a manner that is pleasing to God.

We, just like the ancient Ephesians, live in an evil age. And like them, we also engage this age through Christ. He has redeemed us and given us a new lens through which we now see the world.

Before moving to the practical, note one additional upside of stewarding your time wisely: your newfound focus doesn’t just enable you to maximize your studies; it sets you on course for long-term faithfulness and healthier life rhythms.

You see, seminary studies make you a better minister not just because of what you learn, but because of the maturity, responsibility, and self-discipline the entire process cultivates. Here are five keys that will help you steward your time wisely while in seminary:

Envision your ministry in light of eternity. We’ve already considered Ephesians 5:16, but consider also John 9:4, where Jesus instructs His disciples: “We must carry out the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” An eternal perspective really does reframe your ministry – and your preparation for it. You are studying not to earthly ends but to heavenly ones. So make your time count.Keep your roles and goals ever before you. Stephen Covey popularized the roles-and-goals matrix, which I have now employed for years. Your roles include the divinely ordained positions God has given you. These may include disciple, minister, student, spouse, parent, employee, and so on. Since these roles are divinely given, and therefore meaningful, you should associate goals with them – progress you want to see, things you want to achieve. Being clear about roles and goals will simplify your life and will be a strategic step toward better stewarding your time.Prioritize your life, then allocate time backward. Now that you have clarified your roles and goals, work backward to allocate your time accordingly. John Maxwell has quipped that budgeting is “telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” Your time is similar. Tell it where to go before it’s up and gone. And as you work backward, you can prayerfully and strategically allocate it in ways that best honor God, acknowledge life’s realities, and precommit you to spend time on what matters most.

Even more practically, set a concrete schedule for your day. Let’s say you’re a married student who must work a full-time job during seminary in order to support your family. On average, most seminarians need at least two hours every day for coursework. So, for studies not to kill family time, I suggest either waking up two hours earlier in the morning or staying up two hours later in the evening. This is a minimal sacrifice you can make, and it will certainly help your family feel more loved and cared for.

While seminary is a sacrifice, make sure your family is not what’s actually being sacrificed. As long as you’re willing to give up a little sleep or “me” time, you should be able to master your schedule without letting it master you.

Think before saying “yes.” It’s cliché but true: to say yes to one thing is to say no to something else. Many overcommit because they’re reluctant to disappoint, especially in person. Never feel pressure to make a commitment on the spot. Let people know you need to review the opportunity with your calendar and the appropriate stakeholders, perhaps your elders or your spouse. Say with integrity, “If my schedule permits, I would be delighted to do so.” This gives you space to review the invitation with a clear head and more objective data. Never commit on the spot.Use your entire toolkit. In God’s kind providence, modern technology presents us with a significant toolkit for managing our lives – in time, stewardship, and efficiency. I use my online calendar for appointments and Evernote for responsibilities and tasks. (At the top of my Evernote task page, I list my roles with their respective goals). Additionally, I use tools like email, text messaging, Zoom, Skype, and social media to connect with others. I encourage you to do the same.

Lord’s Day Meditation: “Continue in prayer.” by C.H. Spurgeon

(Morning and Evening, January 2, Morning)

“Continue in prayer.” (Colossians 4:2)

It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear. Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob–there a Daniel who prayed three times a day–and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer? We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives.

If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray. Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty. Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show thee thy misery! A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian. If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father’s face, and live in thy Father’s love. Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of his love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, “Continue in prayer.”

Prepare for Three Years, Get Prepared for Thirty

This post is an excerpt from Succeeding at Seminary: 12 Keys to Getting the Most Out of Your Theological Education by Jason K. Allen. The book is out now from Moody Publishers and wherever Christian books are sold.

A DANGEROUS INCONSISTENCY

For some inexplicable reason there has often been an inconsistency between evangelicals’ high view of Scripture, of the church, of gospel ministry—and our approach to ministry preparation. We take the Bible and the gospel seriously, but we’re often too casual when it comes to presenting it well. Some of this tension is understandable. (Do I delay my ministry for several years of preparation, or do I go preach Jesus now?)

At the same time, I challenge you to treat your ministry, and the requisite preparation, with the seriousness they deserve. We apply this logic to every other area of life; why wouldn’t we apply it to this most ultimate area of life?

For example, when God called me to Midwestern Seminary in 2012 and our family relocated to Kansas City, one of our first tasks was to find a new pediatrician for our five young children. We didn’t look for someone who dabbled in pediatrics. We wanted a children’s doctor with appropriate training, sufficient experience, and a good reputation—among other things.

Similarly, when our car needs servicing, we don’t take it to a shade-tree mechanic. When we need an accountant, we don’t just look for someone good with a calculator. When our favorite football team searches for a new coach, we don’t want them to hire someone who’s always wanted to learn more about the sport.

What’s the common denominator in these examples? We insist on knowledge, training, suitable experience, and a successful track record in every meaningful area of life. The church should expect no less from its ministers. We who would minister to the church should expect no less from ourselves. And a faithful seminary will help you toward these ends.

WHAT A HEALTHY SEMINARY PROVIDES

Of the many reasons to go to seminary, give careful attention to these nine. At seminary you will . . .

1. Learn from gifted teachers, all of whom are accomplished in their respective disciplines and will, most likely, be far more knowledgeable than anyone you’d have the opportunity to study with in other venues. And the relationships you develop with these mentors don’t end when you graduate. You can turn to them through- out your ministry for encouragement and support.

2. Enjoy a focused, immersive season of theological training and ministry preparation. Life and ministry pull us toward a “Martha” way of life, but seminary forces us to focus, grow, and become more like Mary (Luke 10:38–42).

3. Avoid gaps in your ministry preparation.

Without a structured course of study, we are inclined to read what most interests us—and avoid what does not. Seminary has a way of rounding us out, enabling us to mature into a well-informed believer with a broad- based knowledge of Scripture, theology, and ministry essentials.

4. Cultivate humility, which is essential for Christian ministry.

Some students show up on cam- pus thinking they know a little something, only to have their paradigms explode once they start attending lec- tures and reading their textbooks. Pride can flare up too, of course, but if you approach your studies with a godly mindset, you will soon realize just how much you don’t know—and how much others do. Seminary incubates humility.

Become better equipped to minister to a bro- ken society and a needy church.

The twenty-first century presents societal challenges unknown to previous generations. Ethical dilemmas, moral debauchery, cultural decay, and fractured families all make minis- try—in both the community and the church—increasingly complex. You need to be ready for this ministry minefield.

Enjoy access to resources unavailable to you elsewhere.

In addition to the faculty and library, you will benefit from mentorship, ministry-field opportunities, conferences, workshops, and so much more. A healthy seminary is an artesian well of ministry resources and opportunities, daily giving students more than they paid for.

7. Develop relationships that last a lifetime.

Ministry can be a lonely road. There are times we need to lean on other ministry friends who know the burdens we bear and who can, from their own experience, offer words of support. Seminary breeds such relationships.

8. Foster self-discipline and a strong work ethic.

Though ministry preparation is not about earning a credential, a seminary degree evidences that you’ve taken your call to ministry seriously enough to pursue training—and that you have the self-discipline to complete it. Like it or not, churches evaluate one’s ministry preparation and experience when considering a candidate. A seminary degree is a step in the right direction.

9. Gain confidence in your ability to teach God’s Word and minister to His people. Confidence is not something you suddenly summon before your first sermon. It grows within you over time as you develop the assurance that you’ve been called—and prepared— for the ministry God has set before you.

Lord’s Day Meditation: “We will be glad and rejoice in thee.”

(Morning and Evening, January 1, Morning)

“We will be glad and rejoice in thee.” (Song of Solomon 1:4)

We will be glad and rejoice in thee. We will not open the gates of the year to the dolorous notes of the sackbut, but to the sweet strains of the harp of joy, and the high sounding cymbals of gladness. “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise unto the rock of our salvation.” We, the called and faithful and chosen, we will drive away our griefs, and set up our banners of confidence in the name of God. Let others lament over their troubles, we who have the sweetening tree to cast into Marah’s bitter pool, with joy will magnify the Lord. Eternal Spirit, our effectual Comforter, we who are the temples in which thou dwellest, will never cease from adoring and blessing the name of Jesus. We will, we are resolved about it, Jesus must have the crown of our heart’s delight; we will not dishonour our Bridegroom by mourning in his presence. We are ordained to be the minstrels of the skies, let us rehearse our everlasting anthem before we sing it in the halls of the New Jerusalem.

We will be glad and rejoice: two words with one sense, double joy, blessedness upon blessedness. Need there be any limit to our rejoicing in the Lord even now? Do not men of grace find their Lord to be camphire and spikenard, calamus and cinnamon even now, and what better fragrance have they in heaven itself? We will be glad and rejoice in Thee. That last word is the meat in the dish, the kernel of the nut, the soul of the text. What heavens are laid up in Jesus! What rivers of infinite bliss have their source, aye, and every drop of their fulness in him! Since, O sweet Lord Jesus, thou art the present portion of thy people, favour us this year with such a sense of thy preciousness, that from its first to its last day we may be glad and rejoice in thee. Let January open with joy in the Lord, and December close with gladness in Jesus.

A Step of Faith

This post is an excerpt from Succeeding at Seminary: 12 Keys to Getting the Most Out of Your Theological Education by Jason K. Allen. The book is out now from Moody Publishers and wherever Christian books are sold.

TRUST YOUR CALLING

If you believe and see these internal and external confirmations that God has called you to ministry, then seminary training is the next logical step. (If you remain unsettled in your calling, let me point you to my book Discerning Your Call to Ministry, which will help you gain clarity.)

If you are certain, rest in that calling. Know that God has set you apart to serve His church and to advance His gospel. He has a special ministerial plan for your life. The journey will be hard, but it will be spiritually rich and eternally consequential. You can trust your calling, friend, because you know and trust the One who issued it.

TRUST YOUR CHURCH

As we have discussed, no call to ministry is an individual undertaking. The Holy Spirit implants the desire, but the local church assesses and affirms the calling. As Brian Croft puts it, “It is the local church that God has appointed to be the agent to test, train, affirm and send those who are called.” If your church knows you, has observed you, and has affirmed your character and gifting, you should gain confidence in your calling by remembering their confidence in your calling.

Your pastor or elders will be doubly important in this process. As you gather their support for your ministry pursuit and their affirmation for your seminary studies, it should profoundly reassure you. Trust your church, and especially those who lead it.

TRUST YOUR SPOUSE

If you’re married, the most important person in your life is your spouse. You cannot undertake ministry—or seminary training—without their support, and you should not try. Yes, it may take time, prayer, conversation, and deliberation for them to warm to the idea. This will especially be the case if God calls you midlife and your spouse is accustomed to different living circumstances.

Seminary will not just cost you money and time; it will also cost your spouse money and time. Spiritually, then, you must have spousal support. Practically, I couldn’t imagine undertak- ing seminary without it. Conversely, as you have his or her support, and as he or she believes in your calling and is willing to sacrifice for your ministry preparation, it should embolden you. Trust your spouse.

TRUST GOD’S WORD

From cover to cover, your Bible is true and trustworthy. It is pregnant with promises, many of which pertain to submitting to God’s will, following His call, surrendering to His plan, and pursuing His directives. Along with those promises, it should be added, come warnings for those who resist His leadership.

I encourage you to trace God’s scriptural promises related to ministry service, His care for prophets and preachers, and His assurances of blessing for those who sacrifice for Him. Do not enter seminary doubting God. Gain conviction and confidence in Him from Holy Scripture. His Word is good, and you can trust it.

TRUST YOUR SEMINARY

One sign you’re considering the right institution is that you can trust it. (If you cannot, find one you can.) You should be able to trust it at every level, especially theologically. You should also be able to trust its admissions officers, guidance counsel- ors, financial-aid advisors, and other seminary personnel.

Of course, seminary personnel believe in their institution and are persuasive in promoting it. Admissions officers aren’t paid to talk people out of coming, after all. But upright institu- tions do not coerce. At Midwestern Seminary, we often deny or delay admission to students for spiritual, academic, or other wise reasons. Though not the ultimate arbiters, your pursuit of seminary can be reinforced by an institution that finds you worthy of admission. Find a seminary you can trust.

TRUST THE LORD!

Finally, and most importantly, trust the Lord who called you. He promised to build His church, and He’s done so for two thousand years. He promised to raise up ministers and missionaries for His church, and He’s done so for two thousand years. The Lord’s church is unstoppable. His commitment to calling out ministers is undeterred.

If He is calling you, therefore, know you have the authority of Christ behind you, the power of Christ within you, and the message of Christ upon you. The risen Lord has never failed His church or His ministers—and He is not going to start with you.

Let me end this book by dispelling a common notion that hinders many from attending seminary now. It is so easy to think the next season of life will prove simpler, less complicated, or more conducive to seminary training. For most all of us, however, that is just not the case.

Lord’s Day Meditation: “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” by C.H. Spurgeon

(Morning and Evening, December 31, Morning)

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8)

Not saved! Dear reader, is this your mournful plight? Warned of the judgment to come, bidden to escape for your life, and yet at this moment not saved! You know the way of salvation, you read it in the Bible, you hear it from the pulpit, it is explained to you by friends, and yet you neglect it, and therefore you are not saved. You will be without excuse when the Lord shall judge the quick and dead. The Holy Spirit has given more or less of blessing upon the word which has been preached in your hearing, and times of refreshing have come from the divine presence, and yet you are without Christ. All these hopeful seasons have come and gone–your summer and your harvest have past–and yet you are not saved. Years have followed one another into eternity, and your last year will soon be here: youth has gone, manhood is going, and yet you are not saved. Let me ask you–will you ever be saved? Is there any likelihood of it? Already the most propitious seasons have left you unsaved; will other occasions alter your condition?

Means have failed with you–the best of means, used perseveringly and with the utmost affection–what more can be done for you? Affliction and prosperity have alike failed to impress you; tears and prayers and sermons have been wasted on your barren heart. Are not the probabilities dead against your ever being saved? Is it not more than likely that you will abide as you are till death forever bars the door of hope? Do you recoil from the supposition? Yet it is a most reasonable one: he who is not washed in so many waters will in all probability go filthy to his end. The convenient time never has come, why should it ever come? It is logical to fear that it never will arrive, and that Felix like, you will find no convenient season till you are in hell. O bethink you of what that hell is, and of the dread probability that you will soon be cast into it!

Reader, suppose you should die unsaved, your doom no words can picture. Write out your dread estate in tears and blood, talk of it with groans and gnashing of teeth: you will be punished with everlasting destruction from the glory of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. A brother’s voice would fain startle you into earnestness. O be wise, be wise in time, and ere another year begins, believe in Jesus, who is able to save to the uttermost. Consecrate these last hours to lonely thought, and if deep repentance be bred in you, it will be well; and if it lead to a humble faith in Jesus, it will be best of all. O see to it that this year pass not away, and you an unforgiven spirit. Let not the new year’s midnight peals sound upon a joyless spirit! Now, now, NOW believe, and live.