Further Study

I read this today at Australian Pastors

I regard my initial education as lacking in the competencies, skills, theories and theology of transition. Every ministry experience I've had since graduation has involved helping people adapt, change, re-culture and engage with a changing world in the context of being faithful to the Gospel.
I have made some pleasant discoveries on my return to college:
Firstly, post-graduate options for pastors are very interesting and very relevant to serving pastors. There is no subject on offer that I regard as being irrelevant to my role as a pastor or leader.
Secondly, study is extremely flexible, and there are enough options for almost anyone to fit it into their schedule.
Thirdly, Fee Help is manna from heaven for cash strapped pastors who aren't on the same kind of money as a mega-church big hitter.
Fourth, lecturers are 'pragmatic academics'. All of our lecturers have had extensive experience on top of their academic qualifications and the education is geared towards practical application.
Lastly, the assignments dovetail nicely with work that needs to be done at church with important research considerations. For example: one of my assignments is to do a feasibility study on a church plant. It just so happens that we are considering one, so the assignment will be handed to my Eldership as well as the lecturer!
The main benefit for me returning to a college environment is the awakening of my desire to learn and grow through reflection and add to my wisdom. Pastors who have been in ministry for a while are able to go back to college with the benefit of hindsight, and reappraise their approach to life and ministry. We have seen the world, [and the church] change. We have seen great ideas succeed and fail. We've seen fads and phenomena come and go, and for those of us who still survive: we are still here [by the grace of God!]
The college library is also a fortress within which you are sheltered from the usual distractions that assail you each day in the fish bowl environment of the church office.

I find it hard to believe that pastors don’t do further study!  To me it is equivalent of trying to feed your family every day without ever going to the shops to stock up. 

Sure pastors do go to the odd conference around the place, but this is just fast food in the metaphor of feeding a family. 

To stand up every week and speak to a world that is changing faster than ever before in history without engaging your mind in studying and spending time with other people to talk with and listen to is to treat the congregations with in our care as less than they are worth!