Why I Became a Pastor
by Pastor Walter Snyder

People ask questions like the following fairly often. And since St. Paul's Lutheran in
Concordia is soon to receive the gift of a new minister of the Gospel, now is a good time to
respond.

Q: What led you to become a pastor? Why do you remain one? What advice would you have for a
new pastor or for your successor?

A: The credit (or blame) belongs to God; becoming a pastor never entered my mind as a young
man. According to my parents, as a little boy I'd preach the occasional sermon in our back
yard, but my audience was whatever rabbits, chickens, or other critters we raised there. I
don't recall thinking about what I wanted to be "when I grew up" until I was in junior high
or high school.

During my junior and senior years of high school, after taking the my college boards,
college applications and scholarship offers came in overwhelming fashion. was overwhelmed
with college applications and scholarship offers. Teachers and guidance counselors either
urged me to consider their own fields or else told me I could be whatever I wanted to be.
Such an open field became almost as confining as having no options at all.

After changing majors, changing schools, leaving for the banking field, and returning to
classes, I began to think that perhaps I could be a pastor. The Lutheran school that began
(and ended) my college career had good academics, plenty of social and sports options, and
it offered a vibrant spiritual life. I thrived; I also wanted to give something back. After
only one semester, I switched to the pre-seminary program, although I wasn't really sure
why. Because I was unsure, I didn't focus on either the studies or the spiritual
preparation. During my time away from school, I realized that while God could use good,
intelligent, hard working Christians in many occupations, I could probably be a good pastor
if I stuck out the studies.

After college, I worked for a couple more years, then met the woman who'd become my wife at
about the same time as I lost my job. Her encouragement helped me to get going in my
seminary studies. Throughout four years of classes and one of internship in Billings,
Montana, I was never absolutely certain that this is where God wanted me to be. I wasn't
running away, but until I received the call documents from Faith and St. Paul Lutheran
Churches in Woodville and Jasper, Texas, I didn't know for sure.


Now I do know. After seven fascinating, fruitful, and growth-provoking years in Texas, the
Holy Spirit called again through Holy Cross Congregation here in Emma. Now I'm preparing to
celebrate the tenth anniversary of my ordination. I enjoy feeding the flock entrusted to me,
and can't imagine myself doing anything else. I stay a parish pastor because God allows and
encourages me to do so.

I don't recommend my circuitous route to other ministerial candidates, but do thank God for
all that I learned as I traveled this way. I urge that whoever studies for the ministry also
study the humanities. Speaking, writing, and understanding the human condition all aid the
minister. This means that novels and westerns as well as newspapers and theology books can
be used, for all tell us something about ourselves. And don't just study people; live with
them, love them, learn from them, and let your own humanity show---not in sin, but in good
relationships and reputable behavior. Don't neglect science. It helps us to understand our
world, and because people may twist and distort it in order to attack Christianity. Even a
healthy dose of math comes in handy.

Above all, the would-be (or current) pastor should remain immersed in God's Word. Not only
sermon and Bible class preparation but personal and family study and devotion are essential.
Then he should study both orthodox Christian Theology and the false teachings of cults,
sects, and non-Christian religions. As he grows, he will find himself becoming ever more
like the apostle Paul's descriptions of pastors in 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus.

Final advice for new pastors? Stay in God's Word, trust His promises and believe
wholeheartedly in Him. He will constantly forgive, renew, and strengthen you for the labors
ahead. It won't always be easy, but a faithful pastor will always know the joy of working as
an under-shepherd to the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ.

Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."

Ask the Pastor, © 2002 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others.