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The MAPC Home Page on the Internet (http://www.mapc.com) has generated a broad range of contacts. Often they are words of thanks for the sermons, queries about particular programs, or how we structure our lives administratively. Periodically I receive an E-mail message from folks seeking information or advice about preaching, worship, or theology.

None has been so interesting or enjoyable as a correspondent named "Bo." Bo is a young man about sixteen in central-west Texas who is a Presbyterian. His best friend is a Roman Catholic. They got into the proverbial discussion about who was "right," which led to Bo's friend telling him that because the Roman Catholic Bible had more books in it than the Protestant Bible it was clear that theirs was superior. Bo wrote me asking if it were true, and if so, what did it mean. Unable to resist, I answered, explaining the Apocrypha, and why Protestants did not include it in the canon at the Reformation. I concluded by suggesting that Bo and his friend quit arguing about their differences - which are really rather minor following the 20th century reformation we know as Vatican II - and begin to rejoice in the things they hold in common: one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and all the gospel promises and means. I thought that would be the end of it. Not so!

It seems that Bo is considering ministry, and wrote back asking if sixteen were too young to be thinking about such a thing, and if not, what kind of educational preparation should he be considering. I wrote Bo the following reply. I thought you might be interested in it as well.

"Dear Bo...

Sorry to be so late on this, but June and early July have been very hectic. I am now on vacation, and can answer your very important question.

Quickly - read the story of the call of Samuel (1 Samuel, Chapter 3). Consistent with that, I would say, "Hang up on God at least three times. If God calls yet a fourth time, take it very seriously."
I am not being "flip" but quite serious. If God is calling you to ministry, God will finally get you there. It is probably too soon for you to know the answer to that now, though my first inkling came when I was 6, and then later 15. I said "no" the last time when I was in the Air Force, but after returning from South East Asia (and being released from active duty in the Air Force), within a year, God called the fourth time, and I went off to Princeton Seminary. I have always been grateful that I hung up on God three times, for when the fourth call came, there was no mistaking it, and that has been crucial in the years which followed (ministry is not the bed of roses it appears to be from the outside). Another way of saying this is: if there is anything - ANYTHING - you can do beside ministry, then do it. Go to seminary only after you are convinced this is the only way you can fully serve Jesus Christ. Christ needs committed and effective lay-people every bit as much as committed pastors, and far more than ineffective or wishy-washy ministers.

Until the fourth call comes, you have to prepare, and that, of course means a good college preparation. What to study? Take all the history, philosophy, and English you can get (majoring in one of the three - probably in that order of priority - would not be a bad thing). You must also take at least one European language - German or French, unless you have already done so in High School. Latin is no longer a must, but would certainly be helpful when it comes time to study Biblical Greek and Hebrew. If either of those is available in college (increasingly they are not) then, by all means, take one of them. Get involved in the theatre, public speaking or debate - the more experience you have "up in front" of people, the better. Also, take a business course or two, the second one being accounting. Believe it or not, they do not teach you how to run a church in Seminary! Finally, do more than the minimum in science - not so much math as physics or biology. The world is changing fast, and nothing is worse than a minister who does not know what those scientific changes mean. You are already computer literate - so that base is covered. Overwhelmed? Don't be. Remember college is four years and all of that can fit, along with all the other good stuff, like girls, football games, and the like (they are equally important, you know!).

Notice I have left all theology out. That is reserved for Seminary - which is an additional three years after college, and something you do not want to do until the fourth call comes. Remember, for me, it did not come until seven years after I graduated from college. God needed me to learn some other things first (Officer Training School in the Air Force, navigation training, Combat Crew Training, and almost six years of active duty, including a tour in South East Asia, etc. Not to mention marriage and our first child). But remember, with God nothing is ever wasted.

Now, if the fourth call from God does not come through, you have not wasted your college education, and can go off to another graduate school, or straight into some phase of business. Remember, God needs teachers, physicians, lawyers, scientists, bankers, business CEO's, investment brokers, politicians, engineers, computer specialists... you name it, as much as preachers!

Finally, print this out, tuck it in the back of your Bible (you are reading your Bible?!) and look at it from time to time. Also essential is knowing the Biblical story inside and out. So, if you are still interested, start reading your Bible as though it were a novel - God's story about the human race, and the mess we make of things when we try to play God, and what God has done in Jesus Christ to set things right!

Blessings... and, if you are ever in New York City, let me know, I'll buy lunch!"

—Fred Anderson, Pastor