Why Pastors Should Encourage Young Men to Relocate for Seminary

One of the most important, yet often overlooked, responsibilities of pastoral ministry is identifying and encouraging promising young men to pursue theological education. At Mid-America Reformed Seminary, our faculty have witnessed firsthand how residential seminary training shapes men for gospel ministry. We asked several of our professors (who are also pastors) to share their perspectives on why pastors should actively encourage relocation for seminary study.

The Pastor's Unique Role in Discernment

Dr. Cornelis Venema emphasizes the biblical foundation for this pastoral responsibility:

"I believe that it is the special calling and responsibility of pastors to identify and encourage men in their congregation to pursue the gospel ministry. If their calling is to 'devote themselves to the ministry of the Word and prayer' (Acts 6), surely chief among their prayers ought to be the prayer that God would raise up workers within their congregations who will be prepared in seminary for the work of the ministry. It is my perception that this is something of a 'forgotten' feature of the ministry, which was practiced much more openly in the past than in the present."

Rev. Paul Ipema adds that this work flows naturally from faithful pastoral ministry:

"Pastors are uniquely qualified to discern those who show promise for gospel ministry and should consider seminary study. Any pastor who knows his congregation well, who catechizes the youth, and who makes discipleship a priority will actively cultivate prospective pastors. Above all, the pastor's attitude toward his own pastoral calling should attract young men rather than repel them from it."

Why Young Men Need Encouragement

Dr. Andrew Compton addresses the cultural and theological barriers that prevent young men from considering ministry:

"There is an unfortunate history in Reformed churches where ministers were placed on pedestals. The old 'Dominee' approach could encourage a view of the pastor that was distant, stern, able to push people around since they stood closer to God on yonder elevated pulpit heights... While thankfully that pastoral model is largely gone, many still hold an improperly elevated view of pastors as super-Christians. Language like 'So everyone must be careful not to push himself forward improperly, but he must wait for God's call,' from art. 31 of the Belgic Confession of Faith adds another layer of reticence to otherwise promising young men, afraid that to express interest in or explore the pastoral ministry might be an example of improperly pushing himself forward. Ordinary pastors—i.e., ordinary Christian men—engaged in an ordinary pastoral ministry can help ordinary young men see that the ministry is something they might indeed be qualified for and being called to."

Dr. Marcus Mininger identifies three key reasons for pastoral encouragement:

"Call to the ministry involves both internal (personal desire) and external (confirmation from others) components. It's important to have the latter, and encouragement from a pastor is an important part of that. Our culture prioritizes and rewards other kinds of callings, and so we need people to put the pastoral call before our young men. Some young men out of humility or self-criticism would feel uncomfortable considering this for themselves and need to be prompted to do so."

Dr. J. Mark Beach puts it simply:

"Well, it is scary to contemplate seminary, to contemplate Christian ministry. 'Me, a minister?' So young men need to be encouraged and prodded. Let the Holy Spirit take it from there!"

Why Relocation Matters

The question naturally arises: Why can't a young man simply study online while remaining in his home church? Our faculty offer compelling reasons why relocation is an essential part of seminary preparation.

Dr. Beach frames relocation as the first test of ministry readiness:

"The first test for a would-be pastor is making one's residence somewhere else. Going to seminary allows a student and his family to discover a world distinct from home, and how to create a home where God has placed you."

He continues:

"If a man is contemplating the Christian ministry seriously, relocating is part of the package. The gospel is not a stay-at-home affair. It must be brought, and, thus, relocating for study is simply an extension of that. Besides, new friendships are on the way when he commits to go to seminary. God blesses!"

Dr. Venema echoes this:

"I firmly believe that one of the prerequisites for the pastoral ministry is a willingness to be open to God's call to serve the church, even when accepting the call requires relocation. Men (including their wives and families) who believe they are called to ministry should likewise be willing to 'pull up stakes' and relocate for their seminary training."

The Irreplaceable Value of Residential Training

What makes residential seminary training worth the sacrifice of relocation? Our faculty point to the formative power of community.

Dr. Compton explains:

"Seminary is not just a place where students come to ingest content. Content is available in venues far beyond the walls of a seminary. Instead, seminary is a place where students come to ingest and process that content together, not simply in class, but in the halls, around the lunch table, and in other fellowship gatherings. They sing together in chapel, pray together in prayer groups, laugh together while bowling or playing ping-pong, and then find that those interpersonal activities provide them with a relationship that enables them to sharpen one another in ways simply not accessible to those who learn at a distance with professors and classmates only available to them electronically."

Dr. Mininger addresses a common misconception:

"Some people prioritize practical experience in a local church over classroom training from highly qualified professors. However, this is a false dichotomy. You can and should do both, and Mid-America provides both by pairing a substantive, traditional curriculum with regular field experience in a local church as well as internships through our Ministerial Apprenticeship Program."

He goes on to highlight what online education cannot provide:

"Relocating allows you to be immersed in a community of learning where you will be sharpened by many more people than in your local church, including students, professors, and several local churches. There is wisdom in a multitude of counselors. Staying in your local church misses out on the opportunity to have more input into your life. Mid-America has students do multiple internships so that they get a diversity of experience (diverse cultures, diverse pastoral supervisors, etc.), which adds richness to their perspective on the ministry beyond what can be gained just in a person's home church."

Perhaps most critically, Dr. Mininger notes:

"Online theological education brings an unhelpful disjunct between theology and ministry, as compared with in-person education. It means that those teaching you theology are not also interacting with you personally to model Christlikeness and also shape your character, ministerial skills, habits, and ways of interacting. This disjunct greatly impoverishes learning by disconnecting it from the rest of your life."

Preparing for a Life of Ministry

Dr. Beach offers perspective on the challenges of relocation:

"Not everything about relocation is easy, but the ministry isn't easy! Following Jesus across the Galilean countryside wasn't easy. Journeying to Jerusalem wasn't easy. Facing some difficulties is part of preparation for ministry. Learning to trust God and walk by faith is exactly what a pastor needs to learn. So, every new relocation for ministry (and preparation for ministry) is in God's good plan for you. I never doubted that my wife and I were in God's good hands!"

The Pastor's Role

The encouragement of faithful pastors has shaped countless ministerial callings throughout church history. If you currently shepherd a congregation, consider the young men God may be preparing for gospel ministry. Your affirmation could be the external confirmation they need to take the next step.

As Dr. Ipema reminds us, your own attitude toward ministry matters: "Above all, the pastor's attitude toward his own pastoral calling should attract young men rather than repel them from it."

Pastors: Do you know someone who should consider seminary? Share this with them!

For more information about Mid-America Reformed Seminary's residential program and the Ministry Apprenticeship Program (MAP), contact our admissions office.