In a world full of spiritual confusion and cultural noise, the Church needs shepherds who are not only called but also qualified to lead God’s people in truth. While spiritual gifting and a heart for ministry are vital, Scripture makes it clear that theological training is not optional for pastors. Rather, it is a biblical expectation meant to protect the Church, preserve the gospel, and promote maturity in Christ.
The Pastor as Teacher of Sound Doctrine
Throughout the New Testament, one of the primary responsibilities of a pastor (also referred to as an elder or overseer) is to teach sound doctrine and guard the flock against false teaching.
“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9)
This mandate presumes training. To teach sound doctrine, one must know sound doctrine. To rebuke false teaching, one must discern theological error. Paul’s instructions to Timothy and Titus reveal the critical importance of doctrinal clarity and the pastor’s role in upholding it.
A Biblical Pattern of Instruction
Paul’s relationship with Timothy is a biblical model for pastoral preparation. Timothy is called to “guard the good deposit” entrusted to him (2 Tim. 1:14), to “devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (1 Tim. 4:13), and to “rightly handle the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).
These commands are not given in a vacuum. Timothy had years of discipleship and instruction under Paul’s mentorship. The “deposit” he was to guard was a body of doctrine handed down, studied, and taught—not discovered spontaneously. This pattern implies careful training, not casual familiarity.
The Church’s Call to Guard the Truth
In 1 Timothy 3, Paul outlines the qualifications for elders, including the requirement that a pastor be “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2). This qualification implies both competence and preparation. The pastoral office is not merely about charisma or leadership ability—it is a teaching office, grounded in Scripture and the apostolic tradition.
Furthermore, Paul warns the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28-30 that wolves will come in, even from among their own number, speaking twisted things. This sobering warning underscores the need for theologically trained pastors who can stand guard over the Church’s doctrine.
Why Training Matters Today
In the modern era, false teaching is not confined to obscure corners—it floods social media, bookshelves, podcasts, and pulpits. Ideas that distort the gospel often sound compelling, especially to those without theological grounding. Pastors must be equipped to filter truth from error, not only for their own sake but for the sake of those they shepherd.
Moreover, theological training enables pastors to:
- Preach faithfully from the entire counsel of Scripture
- Interpret biblical texts responsibly, avoiding common pitfalls
- Engage cultural issues with biblical clarity
- Provide spiritual leadership rooted in truth, not opinion
Not Just Head Knowledge, But Discipled Wisdom
Theological training is not about producing academics detached from real-life ministry. It’s about forming pastoral theologians—men and women who love God, love people, and are equipped to teach the truth with humility, conviction, and grace.
Sound doctrine is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. The Church cannot afford leaders who are theologically shallow or biblically illiterate. As Paul writes in Ephesians 4:14-15, the goal is that the Church “may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine… rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
Conclusion
The call to pastoral ministry is a call to theological responsibility. Pastors must be more than passionate—they must be prepared. Scripture consistently affirms that leaders in the Church are to be grounded in doctrine, able to teach, and capable of refuting error. In a time when truth is under pressure, trained pastors are not just helpful—they are biblically mandated.
For the sake of the Church, the gospel, and the glory of God, let us not settle for zeal without knowledge. Let us raise up a generation of pastors who are both called and trained, equipped to lead God’s people in truth and grace.
