text: Monte, Anecdotal evidence could probably be presented on both sides of the issue. Places such as China and churches like the ICOC and certain high profile SDA evangelists indicate that theological education is more or less irrelevant to success as a pastor or an evangelist. One of LGT/perfectionism's most vocal partisans has two graduate degrees in theology from SDA schools. Thank God he was busted out of pastoral work but still spreads his views wherever he can get an audience. ICOC pastors may have been educated but not in theology. One was a former navy pilot who graduated from Annapolis, another a premed dropout. They were both successful as pastors of large congregations.
  
  The highly educated U.S.clergy, how's that working out? Dynamic growth? Enthusiastic church members? Low attrition? Ryan Bell had a DMin. Doug Batchelor barely finished high school. Who has been successful? Will there even be a church in the States in 50 years?