We need to see very clearly that the question of the training of clergy can only be constructively addressed in an environment wherein the people themselves are truly regarded as prophets, priests and kings-and all the people trained to be such. If the people of God remain a lawless, ignorant bunch, they certainly don't need a highly trained clergy. The quality of seminary education we provide to the few is directly linked to the quality of covenant education we provide to the many. When the level of understanding is high among the people,there is less concern for where a man is educated than how well he is educated. Otherwise, the people would not hire them.
Seminaries get away with covenant murder today because the people are willing victims.
But the turn-around will not begin with the seminaries, and that is the point we wish here to make. The turn-around begins in Grade One. The solution to the problem of low quality clergy begins, not at the door of the seminary but at the door of the first grade. And that is what they will deserve. An intermediate solution is to praise and encourage churches which rigorously train all their members in the language, faith and ways of the covenant, and to plant churches which expect the next generation to be schooled in Christ, not Moloch.