I realise that the below, was talking about intellectual moving from Church to academia and therefore not being able to help the church with guidance and knowledge, but my point is that there still needs to be "communication" between the two.
Quote: - Conversely, the church has been left bereft of people able to provide intellectual leadership for the crucial issues facing the church. ‘As theologians moved from churches to universities, the theological red-blood-cell count within the pastoral community, and within congregations, fell markedly.’ End quote.
Why is it deemed that traditionally, seemingly, 'only' the Pastors are trained, or educated in theology, and not the church body, mostly in churches? One could say (as above quote) that lack of intellectual leadership is why people leave churches, but not the only reason.
Some reasons for folks to leave or change churches is that they don't want to be challenged by Theology. Some don't understand the truths of what they are hearing, because it has gone over their heads. Some don't have faith. Some are overcome with the stresses of life and have been starved of that which could have helped them and can't face any more. Some how and some where over time, they became lost or distanced themselves ... and, unknowing are not being fed and watered by the precious life giving Word.
It is very important that the 'message' from a trained mind, can 'speak' to the grass roots ear and not talk 'at' the ear; and the (so to speak) untrained ear, say what they do understand or not. It is a shame that (for many reasons) the Gospel Message is not being understood - that will need the power of God to overcome! . . . and that the Word of Life is being stifled in believers ears and hearts for not meeting their unvoiced needs. Hence Charnock and the PhD student has hit the proverbial hammer on the head again, in the 'need' of intellectual leadership in Churches. (Whew!)
I am so excited for you and for your church family as you embark on this journey (and I love shoe shopping, so if you need some new trainers let me know...!!)
I realise that the below, was talking about intellectual moving from Church to academia and therefore not being able to help the church with guidance and knowledge, but my point is that there still needs to be "communication" between the two.
Quote: - Conversely, the church has been left bereft of people able to provide intellectual leadership for the crucial issues facing the church. ‘As theologians moved from churches to universities, the theological red-blood-cell count within the pastoral community, and within congregations, fell markedly.’ End quote.
Why is it deemed that traditionally, seemingly, 'only' the Pastors are trained, or educated in theology, and not the church body, mostly in churches? One could say (as above quote) that lack of intellectual leadership is why people leave churches, but not the only reason.
Some reasons for folks to leave or change churches is that they don't want to be challenged by Theology. Some don't understand the truths of what they are hearing, because it has gone over their heads. Some don't have faith. Some are overcome with the stresses of life and have been starved of that which could have helped them and can't face any more. Some how and some where over time, they became lost or distanced themselves ... and, unknowing are not being fed and watered by the precious life giving Word.
It is very important that the 'message' from a trained mind, can 'speak' to the grass roots ear and not talk 'at' the ear; and the (so to speak) untrained ear, say what they do understand or not. It is a shame that (for many reasons) the Gospel Message is not being understood - that will need the power of God to overcome! . . . and that the Word of Life is being stifled in believers ears and hearts for not meeting their unvoiced needs. Hence Charnock and the PhD student has hit the proverbial hammer on the head again, in the 'need' of intellectual leadership in Churches. (Whew!)
Excited to see how God uses you and your studies to serve Him! Thanks for taking us along on this journey. God bless you.
I am so excited for you and for your church family as you embark on this journey (and I love shoe shopping, so if you need some new trainers let me know...!!)
Praying for you as you embark on this new journey.