This is an address presented to the 1984 graduating class of Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, California.
Well, you’re fully prepared for the work of the ministry now, aren’t you? You’ve mastered Hebrew and Greek and know how to do exegesis. You have all the theological knowledge, both systematic and biblical. Your apologetic approach could remove mountains. You understand all the mysteries of Church History and Practical Theology. What more could anyone need? You are now fully prepared for your task, or are you?
Records of seminary graduates are not too good. Many drop out after graduation and never find their way into the ministry; others drift away during the first few years of the pastorate; some destroy churches and are forced out. If the scenario holds true for your class, that will be the story for some of you. I’m concerned about that; I’m concerned about you. Why such a record? What’s behind this sad story? How can men who are so well prepared fail so miserably? And, more to the point, what can be done about it to prevent it?
The problem isn’t new. A hundred years ago Phillips Brooks was saying things like this:
What shall we
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