College Graduate Epidemic

I have noticed an epidemic of students coming out of Bible colleges and seminaries who think they have ministry all figured out. They know everything. There is nothing left to learn. Sadly, I also find that there are ministers who have been doing ministry for a while that think they know everything. There is nothing left to learn. I am sure there are things in my life that I feel like I know everything about as well…or did at one point or another. When I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, however, I thought to myself, “Any church that is willing to put ME in charge of their kids is not a church I am willing to work for. They'd be crazy.” I recognized that I was not ready. Some people come out of college emotionally ready but I did not. So, grad school it was. Later I realized it is not about how much I know but the willingness of my spirit. My willingness to be open to ideas I had not thought of and be willing to say I don’t know when the occasion warrants it. Sadly this epidemic has infected more than just recent graduates with a look towards Christian fields. It is many people who graduate and decide they know more than anyone else in their chosen field especially those who have been out of college for more than 3 years. Is this "better-than-you" & "make way for the revolution" attitude what is being taught or just coincidentally fostered? Eight years ago (that was hard to type), I went to a good college and learned plenty, yet I have found that the people who I have learned the most from in my field of study are those who have been doing it for a while. I don’t copy them but I evaluate their good and bad decisions and respond appropriately. I believe this is called humility. A willingness to evaluate and set aside preconceived notions for the better of the kingdom and not for the raising of my own self-worth. I don’t do this necessarily well, but I try. Word of advice to all ministers, no matter the age or experience level, listening is the first step in knowing what to do. . . and how to do it. Listening to God and to your fellow kingdom workers goes farther than any book you read in college (minus the Bible).