Anglican priest and famed poet George Herbert wrote a book on pastoral ministry called The Country Parson. In the book he talks about what a priest – or any Christian for that matter – needs in order to understand the Scripture. He lists four things that are necessary; they are:
1. A holy life.
2. Prayer.
3. A diligent collation of Scripture with Scripture.
4. Reading commentaries and the fathers.
Wow, no requirement to give a liberal seminary 120K?
Seriously though, the good parson Herbert had a solid understanding of the Pastoral Epistles. A redeemed heart and a Holy life will do more that a century in seminary.
We need a new system of pastoral formation. I have ideas, but don’t know how to implement them.