The Evangelical Mavericks will be conducting a series of interviews with professors, pastors, and church planters.  The goal of these interviews is to provide real life insight into ministry, theology, and life.  Here is the first in that series.

Chuck Fuller is the pastor at Bethany Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. He is also professor of Preaching at Boyce College. Dr. Fuller has a B.A. from Campbellsville Univerity and an M.Div and Ph.D from SBTS. As an academic and a local church pastor, he seems like a great man to glean wisdom and insight. We wanted to take some time to ask Dr. Fuller about preaching, ministry and his upcoming book. Hope you enjoy.

EM: 1. What advice would you give men aspiring to be pastors who are in seminary/bible college?

Fuller: Study hard, and cherish the opportunity to do so. You will never again have the chance to study with such intensity and depth again–not to mention that at Boyce College/Southern Seminary, you’re studying with professors of the highest caliber, both intellectually and ministerially.

Equally important is that you find a place where the chisel you sharpen in the academic setting can hit the stone in church. Find an outlet for ministry. Do not simply follow the crowd to the “coolest” church–find a place where you can get in the trenches and work. It need not be glamorous–much less paid–but find something real. Find a faithful pastor and be his slave. Put your feet right behind his, and he’ll give you opportunity to see the inner workings of local church ministry and learn all the things the seminary can’t teach.

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