DaveJes1979
Puritan Board Freshman
Hi, all.
For the URC folks out there - I seem to remember from my CRC days that there was an office that non-ordained men could hold that would allow them to serve various academic teaching functions such as teaching at Calvin Seminary, as a sort of official theologian or doctor of the church. They, of course, did not administer the Sacraments, although I seem to recall that they would sometimes speak from the pulpit (somewhat analogous to licensed exhorters). They did, however, have to undergo the same doctrinal examination as a pastor and likewise held accountable. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? And does the URC have a similar "office" (loosely defined)?
I ask because I've kicked around the idea of getting an M.A. in theology, and perhaps someday a terminal degree. But I just don't know to what service I could put it given the URC church order. URCs, from what I know, won't even let the lay elders so much as teach a Bible study (unlike, say, PCAs, where ruling elders sometimes speak from the pulpit). I'm not sure I want to press forward and invest the time, money, and effort in getting more education if the only edifying outlet for it is going to be our church's parking lot ministry
For the URC folks out there - I seem to remember from my CRC days that there was an office that non-ordained men could hold that would allow them to serve various academic teaching functions such as teaching at Calvin Seminary, as a sort of official theologian or doctor of the church. They, of course, did not administer the Sacraments, although I seem to recall that they would sometimes speak from the pulpit (somewhat analogous to licensed exhorters). They did, however, have to undergo the same doctrinal examination as a pastor and likewise held accountable. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? And does the URC have a similar "office" (loosely defined)?
I ask because I've kicked around the idea of getting an M.A. in theology, and perhaps someday a terminal degree. But I just don't know to what service I could put it given the URC church order. URCs, from what I know, won't even let the lay elders so much as teach a Bible study (unlike, say, PCAs, where ruling elders sometimes speak from the pulpit). I'm not sure I want to press forward and invest the time, money, and effort in getting more education if the only edifying outlet for it is going to be our church's parking lot ministry