The Sunday Mail
Desire Ncube
YOUNG preachers are impairing their calling by taking short cuts that has seen them establishing churches without proper training from theological colleges, a Harare based Bible scholar, Dr Innocent Sibanda has said.
Dr Sibanda said when someone is convinced that they have been called to God’s ministry, they should go through the proper channels.
“A number of modern preachers are shunning theological education, opting for spiritual fathers. This is compromising their spiritual growth.
“I have no problem with the issue of spiritual fathers but some of these preachers are not getting enough fundamental knowledge on Christianity’s complex issues,” said Dr Sibanda.
“The apostle Paul in Ephesians 4v11-12 says that when a man fills the office of an evangelist, pastor and teacher, his calling is actually a gift from God.
“The purpose of theological training is to prepare those who aspire to occupy the office of leadership in God’s work,” he explained.
“Paul instructed Timothy, and likewise we today should prepare men for such leadership roles in the church, ‘…And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others,” he quoted 2 Timothy 2v2
He added that theological training helps to ensure that the ministry of God flourishes.
“Gospel ministers are ambassadors of Christ and their aim is to preach the gospel and call the lost to salvation. The skill and knowledge to do that is acquired through training,” he said.
“Church leaders should understand that the Bible has one unified, coherent network of truth; hence an intense study of systematic theology is called for.
He also added that theological training also facilitates mental maturity, which seems to be lacking in today’s young preachers.
“Theological training can be viewed as a maturity process. Three or more years of learning will greatly improve one’s social maturity, his ability to understand and relate to people and their needs,” he said.
“This includes their attitude towards the ministry, family and life in general. Effective theological training will greatly aid one’s decision-making ability and the ability to discern the will of God,” said Dr Sibanda.
Word of life senior pastor, Dr Goodwill Shana weighed in saying that it is necessary for pastors to attain seminary or theological education so that they can acquire the necessary skills to work for God.
“Spiritual gifts are nurtured through seminary theological colleges,” he said.
Upper Room Ministries assistant pastor Memory Mwangoh said theological institutions are more important today than ever as the nation is experiencing counterfeit gospel.
She said people should not go to theological colleges to acquire titles but to get knowledge about the Holy Scriptures.
“Having enough knowledge about the Bible is still relevant and important to all pastors and I encourage all pastors to go to theological colleges.
“It is very difficult to defend something that you do not understand, so going to a theological college will equip one with knowledge.
Pastor Mwangoh said most preachers who are shunning theological colleges are getting into the ministry for money.
People are now viewing preaching the gospel as a business, many people are compromised.
They are preaching for personal gains, that is why they have no time to go for training, they strive to capitalise every opportunity they have,” said Pastor Mwangoh
In contrary, House of God Ministries founder, Apostle Jeremiah Mangwiro said theological colleges are not important as the Bible has evidence that God qualifies the called.
“People should not conclude that I am not working for God if I decide not to attend a theological college.
“There are so many examples in the Bible of people who never acquired knowledge from other people but still did extraordinary things.
“We must just work together as a united body of Christ,” said Apostle Mangwiro.
