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by Anthony Baker | September 30, 2016 · 6:30 am

The Pastor Now Teacheth

It’s not a HUGE deal, at least not from a Donald Trump perspective, but I have some cool news I want to share with you.

Starting next week I will officially become, for lack of a better term, an adjunct professor at a small (sorta) seminary in the Tennessee/North Georgia area as I work toward earning my Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min.). I will be recording video lectures and monitoring an online class covering the book of Acts.

If you are interested in learning a little more about the school and what it offers, please go to their (brand new and still developing) website and download their current catalog.

covingtonpic You may have never heard of Covington Theological Seminary in Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia, but I first attended classes there back in the mid-90’s. As a young minister I was exposed to solid, biblical instruction from men (mostly veteran pastors) who had been around the proverbial block a few times. In class I got to sit next to other men who loved the Lord and were serious about ministry. All in all, the few years I spent there produced some of the richest spiritual memories I’ve ever received, therefore it is going to be an honor to teach there.

From time to time, as you think of me, say a prayer on my behalf. Pray that God will bless and use the instruction in the video lectures I will be recording – 30-32 hours all total – to encourage a new generation of students (both younger and more mature).

I don’t think it’s any coincidence that I spent the last year, off and on, preaching through the book of Acts, do you? God knew what He was doing, didn’t He?

https://youtu.be/6oD-H3MgxEE

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Filed under Bible Study, ministry, Theology

Tagged as Bible college, Bible School, Ft. Oglethorpe, seminary, teaching

by Anthony Baker | June 11, 2013 · 12:30 am

Still At It

“You Still Preaching?”

I don’t hear it too much any more, but I used to hear it rather frequently. Family members, old friends, former acquaintances, and the average person I never wanted to see again would come up to me and ask, “Hey, you still preaching?”

Maybe it’s the thing to do. Maybe it is customary to ask a person if they are still doing what they were doing the last time you saw them. It makes sense. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked,

“Are you still unemployed?”
“You still sick with that sickness thing?”
“You still married?”
“You still running off at the mouth about things you know nothing about?”
“You still planning to party with Hitler for eternity?”

I just don’t get why people ask if I am still preaching. It’s like they think I’ll change my mind or walk away from the ministry, or something.

Some Statistics

In reality, it’s not that unreasonable to ask someone who once accepted the call to ministry if he is still preaching. Even though it sorta feels like an insult, I shouldn’t be surprised by other people’s shock. I mean, it has been nearly 30 years since I made my calling public. I’ve known more than one who have walked away the first year.

If more people knew the statistics, few would would ever enter the ministry. Stop and think about it, would you enter a career with the highest rate of heart attacks? Would you take out student loans for a degree that demands you work multiple jobs? Consider these sad facts…

70% felt God called them to pastoral ministry before their ministry began, but after three years of ministry, only fifty percent still felt called.
80% of pastors’ spouses wish their spouse would choose another profession.
70% of pastors constantly fight depression.
80% of adult children of pastors surveyed have had to seek professional help for depression.
70% of pastors do not have a close friend, confidant, or mentor.
80% of seminary and Bible school graduates who enter the ministry will leave the ministry within the first five years.

Still Preaching

Yet, I’m still preaching. It may surprise people who haven’t seen me in a while, but I’m still doing the Lord’s work and still following the call I first heard when I was 16. It may sound strange, but I can’t help it.

“But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” – Jeremiah 20:9 NLT

“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” – 1 Corinthians 9:16 KJV

Today is the anniversary of my father’s death. Not long ago I went to his grave and placed my Bible on his tombstone. There, glistening in the sun, were the gilded words “Rev. Anthony C. Baker.”