The Bible is the best indicator of what God expects for those that he has
called to shepherd his flock. 2 Timothy establishes the expectation for believers
to be theologians and have an ardent knowledge of the word of God for
righteous living and teaching. The Bible tells the reader “Be diligent to present
yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, NKJV), in 2 Timothy, Paul
expresses the importance of studying the word of God which will be outwardly
demonstrated in the teaching and living of Timothy, to the believers that were
looking to him as a physical representation of Christian life.
This concept is the same today with Christian leaders in society. c Both
believers and non-believers looked upon as Christians leaders to be worldly
representations of Jesus Christ. c One of the biggest challenges faced by many
in ministry, especially women, is hearing the call to serve and assuming the call
from God was the only thing required. c However, what has been sorely lost in
many churches is for the pastors to adhere to the words of 2 Timothy 2:15 or
2 Timothy 3:14-17, where it tells the reader that scripture is God breathed and
profitable for teaching and reproof. c One must study the word and develop an
understanding of the history behind the word. c As written by Wilson and
Hiestand, it is important for the pastor to also be a theologian.
The pastor theologian must not only read scripture, but they must properly
exegete the text. c The pastor must not only establish a sound hermeneutical
understanding of the text, but they must perform ecclesial exegesis of the text
(Wilson and Heistand, 2016,145). This practice will entail a level of academia
and intimate engagement of the text. c As referenced earlier, many pastors hear
the call and respond but fail to seek higher level educational study to broaden
their knowledge and understanding of the history of the text in order to properly
exegete the text, which often leads to eisegesis. c Women in ministry are more
readily inclined to be satisfied with the roles assigned and never seek to gain
additional knowledge for themselves. c Personal experience resulted in a change
of perspective. c With over thirty women ministers in the pulpit, there are a
limited number that have pursued a higher level of education and understanding
in biblical studies or theology. c There was an inward desire to break the mold
resulting in a personal pursuit to gain the knowledge in preparation for the
assignment as opposed to accepting the assignment and lacking the
knowledge. c As stated in the text it is necessary for women to play a greater
role in their pursuit of becoming pastor theologians (Wilson and Heistand, 2016,
169).
Reference list
Todd Wilson and Gerald Hiestand, Becoming a Pastor Theologian: New
Possibilities for Church Leadership, Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsity Press, 2016.
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