One of the great privileges of living where theological resources are abundant is that we can easily forget how unusual that situation is. Across much of the world, many pastors faithfully preach, teach, and care for God’s people with little or no formal pastoral education.
The reality is staggering. In countless villages, towns, and growing cities throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and parts of the Middle East, churches are multiplying faster than leaders can be trained. A pastor may come to faith, show spiritual maturity, and within a short period find they are responsible for leading a congregation. They may never have attended a Bible college, owned a theological library, or had access to a trained mentor.
This does not mean these pastors lack faith, wisdom, or love for Christ. Many display remarkable courage and devotion. Some serve under persecution. Others travel long distances to minister to scattered congregations. Many faithfully shepherd their people despite poverty, social instability, and enormous personal sacrifice.
Yet the challenges are significant.
Without theological training, pastors often struggle to understand difficult passages of Scripture, discern false teaching, or answer complex questions from their congregations. In some places, prosperity teaching, superstition, or personality-driven leadership can gain influence simply because biblical alternatives have never been taught clearly. A pastor cannot teach what he has never had the opportunity to learn.
The Apostle Paul instructed Timothy to entrust the gospel “to faithful people who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). Healthy churches require healthy leaders, and healthy leaders need ongoing formation in God’s Word. Theological education is not about creating intellectual elites. It is about helping pastors handle Scripture faithfully, preach Christ clearly, and care for God’s people wisely.
The encouraging news is that many organisations and churches are working to address this need. This Sunday (28th June) we will be hearing from a well-respected scholar who is working in some of these difficult places.
As we pray for the global church, let us remember these sisters and brothers in ministry. Pray for pastors who preach from a single Bible and a notebook. Pray for those seeking to understand God’s Word with limited resources. Pray for teachers and trainers who are equipping the next generation of leaders. And pray that God would continue to raise up faithful shepherds who rightly handle the word of truth.
We are blessed to have access to sermons, books, commentaries, podcasts, and theological education that previous generations could scarcely imagine. Rather than taking these gifts for granted, may we receive them with gratitude and use them to grow in our knowledge of Christ and our service of his church.
For the church around the world, the need is not merely for more leaders, but for leaders deeply rooted in Scripture, shaped by the gospel, and equipped to shepherd God’s people faithfully.
Julian Holdsworth
BSBC Pastor
