Last year I returned to school and began to reflect on my time at Seminary and it’s impact on me, my family and my ministry. I thought I would share some “rules” that I’ve learned over my time. This is a series of posts, ten in total, that I will post over the next two weeks.

RULE #1 – Don’t Drink The Kool-Aid
RULE #2 – Avoid the Networking Trap
RULE #3 – Temper Everything with Scripture
RULE #4 – It’s Supposed to be Difficult
RULE #5 – Check your Pride at the Door
RULE #6 – Be Weary of Comparison
RULE #7 – Go to Class to Learn, Not Teach

You all know the guy who inserts himself into the Professors Lecture, thinking because he’s read Jonathan Edwards Resolutions, that he is now an “expert” on him. Don’t be that guy. Go to class, knowing that you don’t know half as much as you think you know, and the half that you know, you probably know half of it… and that’s okay.

You are in Seminary to learn, to grow, and to be taught. If that is the case, then it should be no surprise to you that there are terms, ideas, concepts, philosophies, theologies, preaching, evangelism, hermeneutics, discipleship, Christian Ethics, social involvement, worship, church structures leadership, Bible translation (Greek/Hebrew), education… that you flat out don’t know. Even if you are well read. And that chance you do know much, great! Keep growing!

What I find actually quite interesting about this rule is that how you approach Seminary will in some ways reveal how you will approach your role as a pastor. If you think you’re there to teach everybody, then you understand part of your role as a Pastor, but there is so much more. I may get into that later, but let me say this: you will never be as good a teacher unless you’re a good learner of your people. Be a good student and a good student you’ll be. Learn and keep learning… besides, isn’t that what we’re called to do? (see Matthew 28:20, 2 Peter 3:18)