In the States you typically sit for language qualifying exams, perhaps entrance exams for the program, and then take two years of seminars before you begin to write your dissertation. In Europe, you usually begin working on your dissertation from day one.

Don’t be intimidated by the preparation process. Recognize that it will take some time but that you can manage things one step at a time. A thousand mile journey begins with one step. Just keep plugging away at it and you’ll do fine.

If you like to learn, you don’t need to get a PhD to do it. There are much cheaper and less demanding, but nevertheless rewarding, ways to do this. Designate a part of your budget towards books and start reading.

As beneficial, therefore, as a seminary education can be, make sure that you have your priorities straight. Seek Christ and the means of grace for your spiritual ailments—only he can remedy your problems.

College and seminary are different, but this doesn’t mean that seminary is impossible. If you go to seminary mentally prepared and with a strategy for making the transition, then you can do well in seminary and beyond!

It’s often the case that young men and women know from an early age that seminary is in their future, so they begin making plans, especially when they’re considering choosing a college major. There is no one correct major to choose, though some are more beneficial than others.

Do you seek out people that are better than you so you can grow and excel? Don’t seek to run with the best out of a sense of self-inflation or pride. Rather, seek to run and surround yourself with the best out of a desire to excel in life to bring glory to our triune Lord. Offer the Lord your very best and always strive, stretch, and grow.

One of the things a pastor and his family should regularly do is exercise hospitality. When I was a fulltime pastor, each year my wife and I would go through our church’s directory and make a rough plan that outlined when we would invite various families over to the house.

Just because the church doesn’t do something to your specific liking doesn’t mean that it’s wrong or wayward. Given enough time, you just might conclude that the sacred cow that needs to be slaughtered isn’t something the church is doing but your own idea. If you patiently wait for about five years before making major changes, you’ll have the opportunity to pray and carefully consider these questions.

The pastorate is filled with many challenges, doesn’t offer great wealth, and can be a crucible where providence can make you feel like you’re being crushed. But it also has some wonderful benefits, and chief among them is the fellowship with your band of brothers. My ministerial colleagues are, to me, the best fraternity in the world.