Seminary: A Place To Prepare Pastors? -- By: Timothy Z. Witmer
Journal: Westminster Theological Journal
Volume: WTJ 69:2 (Fall 2007)
Article: Seminary: A Place To Prepare Pastors?
Author: Timothy Z. Witmer
WTJ 69:2 (Fall 2007) p. 229
Seminary: A Place To Prepare Pastors?
Timothy Z. Witmer is Professor of Practical Theology, Director of the M. Div. Program, and Director of the Mentored Ministry Program at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. This article is a revised version of his inaugural lecture, which was delivered on 29 November 2006.
It is difficult for me to give adequate expression to how amazing it is to be standing in this position today. I am particularly humbled because of the great respect I have for those who have held the office of Professor of Practical Theology here at Westminster. When the seminary began in 1929 there was no Professor of Practical Theology. It was taught, but by R. B. Kuiper who came from seventeen years of pastoral ministry and was listed as Professor of Systematic Theology. He, together with a few other part-time folk, provided what was necessary in the practical theology department. He left for a short time to be president of Calvin College, but then returned to Westminster in 1933 and was listed as Professor of Practical Theology. It was not for another thirty years that there was another full professor in practical theology, and his name was Edmund Clowney. Since then Conn, Fuller, Ortiz, Bettler, and Welch have been recognized as full professors.
My special thanks goes to another pastor, Dr. Ortiz, who saw the potential for usefulness in me and has helped this pastor function as professor, not always the easiest gap to span. Dr. Ortiz was the last individual inaugurated as Professor of Practical Theology here at the seminary, and I took the opportunity to review his inaugural address delivered in 1996. The title of his address was “Seminary: A Place for Missional Preparedness.” While there have been many things going through my mind to address this morning, Manny’s title helped me to express the concern of my heart: “Seminary: A Place to Prepare Pastors?”
Any of you who know me at all, or have sat under my teaching, know that my conviction is that a healthy and strong church must be led by pastors and elders who understand that the heart of their calling is to be shepherds of God’s flock. My doctoral work focused on developing this concept, and I am always on the lookout for resources that will be helpful in unpacking this imagery. I am particularly grateful for the recent publication by Dr. Tim Laniak, Shepherds After My Own Heart, which gives a rich biblical theology of the shepherding metaphor.1 I have added his title to the growing bibliography of “books I wish I had written.” In terms of resources that explore the shepherding metaphor you have to be very careful. For example, there is a movie to be released soon entitled ...
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