Do Baptists Really Want an Educated Clergy? Vocation and Charism for Theological Education

Abstract

Baptists have tended to be suspicious of the scholarly practice of ministry as exemplified in the vocation of theological education. This may be due to an underdeveloped concept of this vocation in the life of the church. There is a particular calling to formation of ministers that, if neglected, leads to the impoverishment of congregational life. Yet, if the church is to forthrightly engage post-Christian contexts, not only must this vocation be exercised, it must also be configured in ways that support the spiritual and theological formation of church leaders who can guide their faith communities into such engagement. Of chief concern is what kind of formation process makes this engagement most fruitful. This article argues that there is a unique vocation in theological education, which should be valued as necessary for strengthening congregational life. To that end it would be helpful for Baptists to construct a better covenant with the church. The shape of Baptist theological education as “reflection on practice” grows out of the central conviction of discipleship as faithful Baptist witness. Intrinsic to this is missional identity, long a hallmark of Baptist life.