Christians, Do I really need a Masters in Divinity?
Not if you want to preach on the street corner. People can’t just walk up to a church and say I am inspired by the Lord to speak here. You would probably be able to speak to the pastor, priest or whatever the case may be to see if they agree that what you are going to say will go along with what they are teaching and possibly let you speak during a sermon. They might even invite you back as a guest speaker. As far as running a church and having the counseling skills the answer would be YES! you need some sort of documentation to show that you have the skills to preach, council others, and run a business, not to mention being liked in the community and trusted by parents for the sake of the kids.
Notice that the man you quote was trained by the best Bible teacher of His day and also how Jesus personally trained His 12 for 3 years before equipping them with His Spirit and sending them out. Also take note of how in the Old testament we read of the school of the Prophets where they were trained. And finally we are admonished for all of us to be trained, so how much more those who would lead. We are warned that those not well trained are easily tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
I think it depends on the calling God puts on each minister of the Word. There are many who have degrees, and many who do not. And they’re both powerful (or not powerful) preachers. I had the same argument against God, & ran away from seminary for 3 years. But for me, His answer was that I attend. So I am, and EVER SO THANKFUL that God won me over. It was hardly about the degree from the start. Through seminary, there is simply abundantly so much that the Lord has done to prepare & hone me wholistically to fulfill my calling to preach and teach. Deep searching prayer seems to be your answer for now, since His answer is different for each person. I pray for you much blessings & clarity in hearing His voice. By the way, I’ve been preaching/teaching the Word before I entered seminary. So really, it’s not about the degree… or at least, it shouldn’t be.
I used to wonder about this too. After all, the apostles Peter and John were uneducated fishermen. They might have attended synagogues to listen to the Jewish preachers, but they did not receive any formal training in schools (or at least, the Bible did not mention that). The Lord Jesus also did not conduct any seminar or workshop for His disciples, and gave them a certificate of qualification at the end of the course. Instead, Jesus went about teaching and preaching the gospel, and healing all who were oppressed. (Matthew 9:35) All His disciples did was to follow Jesus during His three-year ministry on earth and learn from His words and actions. When it was time for the disciples to preach the gospel and heal the sick, Jesus simply gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness. (Matthew 10:1) After Jesus died and rose again, and went back to His Father, the Holy Spirit came one day and filled the disciples who were waiting and praying in a h
