Q: Is there any room in ministry for "regular" Christians without special training?

Maybe you don't have a degree, but there's probably something you know a lot about and that you do well, whether it's motorcycle repair or worship music or serving. Whatever it is, God has put those specific tools into your hands to use for his glory among the nations. With a little knocking on doors, you can find a niche somewhere in world missions for anything you're good at. One warning, though: You shouldn't become a missionary unless you're willing to learn new things in the process!

If you're thinking of working in missions, you should first look for an agency to send you. All agencies have requirements, which may include educational preferences. Missionaries do many things today; not all are preachers or teachers. All should be prepared, however, as Peter tells us (1 Peter 3:15), to "give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have," whether working as a physician, agronomist, or mechanic.

Our ministry, wherever we are, should be holistic. Thus, the proper perspective would be to decide what the Lord is leading you to be and do, and then, as much as possible, fully prepare. If you get formal training, make sure you include some courses in cross-cultural communication.