“This is a splendid collection of essays on the indispensable role of education in the life of the church and the ways in which seminaries can step in to provide essential tools for pastors and church leaders. Much wisdom here—compassion and conviction, the theoretical and the practical, passion and maturity.”
—Trevin Wax, vice president of resources and marketing, North American Mission Board (NAMB); visiting professor at Cedarville University, Ohio; and author of The Thrill of Orthodoxy, This Is Our Time, and Gospel Centered Teaching
“Critics often claim, ‘They never taught me this at seminary.’ That’s often more an admission a person wasn’t paying attention than an accurate critique of seminary curriculum! Seminaries provide wide-ranging, foundational training for ministry leadership—as described in these chapters. Seminary training also provides the framework for addressing new ministry challenges—many unknown to previous generations of church leaders. Seminaries are the seedbed from which long-term, healthy ministry can grow. Equipped to Serve makes the case for investing years of preparation for decades of service—a price worth paying as you consider a lifetime of kingdom leadership.”
—Jeff Iorg, president, SBC Executive Committee, and former president, Gateway Seminary, Colorado
“Reflecting on the three decades that have passed since I walked across the chapel stage at Southern Seminary and was awarded the Master of Divinity degree, I realize now more than ever how formative those years of study were for me. Equipped to Serve resonated strongly with me because, as Pace and Six argue, ‘Theological education is ministry preparation.’ I highly commend their valuable work to help this generation of students maximize the opportunity to prepare for an effective ministry.”
—Paul Chitwood, president, International Mission Board (IMB)
“Equipped to Serve highlights how Southern Baptist seminaries are uniquely positioned to train God-called leaders for success in ministry. With a commitment to biblical authority, theological depth, and practical ministry preparation, these seminaries don’t just fill your mind with knowledge—they shape your heart for service. R. Scott Pace and Jonathan Six remind us that seminaries are more than academic institutions; they are Great Commission training grounds that prepare leaders to make an eternal impact.”
—Shane Pruitt, director, National Next Gen, North American Mission Board (NAMB), and coauthor of Calling Out the Called: Discipling Those Called to Ministry Leadership
