God's will

I have applied to and accepted a place at seminary and am having doubts. I would really appreciate some counsel.

Why have I applied? I have been preaching at my local church who have said I have a gift for teaching. I want to get a good grounding in doctrine, church history etc.

What steps did I take to see if this was God's will? I prayed and fasted. I was not certain as to what I should do but felt no restraint in moving forwards.

So, I have now served notice to leave my employment. However, I am just anxious as to whether I am doing the right thing. If I am should I be at complete peace or not? I am a naturally indecisive person and this may be the cause. I just want to get it right but vacillating is not going to bring glory to God.

The will of GOD is definite and determined.
GOD'S will is definite in purpose; so we
can seek His will and discover His purpose.
His Will is always determined according to
His truth, which is revealed in His Word.
When in doubt; seek His direction, His
guidance, and His instruction from His
Word, and GOD will confirm His Will. GOD
wants us to delight in His Will, to prove
His Will for us is good, perfect, and right.
His Will is always our wisest choice.

E.B. PUSEY

First and foremost, unless you have a job on the side and plan going part-time, or you have financial support from family or church, or you can afford it without debt, be very concerned. I doubt very much if The Lord would provide financial means to anyone by incurring great debts, especially for this purpose.

I have met many young folks in the seminary (I am currently attending a "renowned" seminary just for enrichment) that have never even read the entire Bible, thinking to themselves that they can learn the Bible through the seminary, all the while being quite convinced that God had called them to some ministries, hoping that the degrees they acquire in the end will endorse their marketability as professional ministers!

Desiring to learn Christ from one's love and desire to know God as compared to learning the Bible and theology as merely academics with an agenda (even one to "serve" God with it hereafter) are entirely different matters.

Studying man's theologies is mostly a thing of the flesh, studying God's Word with diligence and affection, under the tutelage of The Spirit, is definitely of the spiritual.

Praying and fasting are great, perhaps, studying the ENTIRE Bible through at least a couple of times before you make the decision is even better. No hurry really, like most establishments, seminaries all over the country also seem to have a cash crunch, so you can always wait a year or two.

Lastly, if you must go,perhaps start with one couse and wait upon God. Sad...I do reckon that many of the fleshly churches lust after teachers with big diplomas!

Hope this helps.

Mamaluk

I am also a very indecisive person by nature.I found that when God calls me I have a genuine witness in my spirit of that calling. Everything begins with a desire. That desire is put into mind by the Holy Spirit according to the perfect will of God. I currently minister to alcoholics. I have been doing this for the past 22 years. I also had a desire to preach in the church, but I found that what I actually needed was to "eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophesy.......everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strenthening, encouragement and comfort."[1cor14].
I found myself most effect in carrying the gospel message to suffering alcoholics. That's the ministry God has given me.
I asked God to take me out my job in 1992. He gave me a small company to run which pays all my bills and enough time to go around and do God's work. He never let me starve, but whenever my business threatens to overtake our ministry, he deflated the business.
I think you should preach in your local church and continue with your current status until a clear call comes. The call will come when you have exhausted your current ministry.

What Mamaluk is what I found to be true, I started in the same manner and thought that in order to develope my gifts that I needed to learn more through studies and schooling. They were helpful to a point but the only things that have been life changing and life applicable have been from me just simply digging in the Word with prayer and time intimately soaking in what God has to say in His Word. Before we get established and grounded in doctrine we must first really truly get grounded in Christ and Christ alone. I love preaching but more importantly I love to be used of God when I do it and without that relationship is quite impossible to do. By starting with doctrines I developed a very critical and religious spirit like that of the Pharisees however Christ revealed Himself to me in His Holiness and exposed my wicked heart.

If you aren't truly and really grounded in Christ and His life then I wouldn't really advise seminary until you are. Also Seminary won't give you this relationship only Christ can. It takes time and patience and most importantly Christ for any of this to be possible. I have come to the point where I am tired of the Average Status Quo that man can set ups through doctrines and see what Christ wants to teach me.

God will always equipped the Called if you are truly called to teach and are seeking God and His will then He Himself will equipped you for such a calling. We as Christian don't need a diplomma to preach or teach all we need is the Holy Spirit and a deep rooted relationship with Christ. Keep praying and take your time in this I was quick to start schooling but found what I learned was very small compared to just cracking open my bible and reading from the Word. As the old saying goes Fools Rush In.

Thanks very much guys.