I’ve just written some thoughts in response to an article that GYD shared about perceptions of a break in the ministry pipeline. In conversation with them, they talked about being involved in conversations about recruitment and there was an indication that they were also talking about the pipeline of youth workers into the church. So… Continue reading The pipelines that might be broken and why it probably does not affect many of us directly
Tag: ministry training
If a “learned ministry” is important then what is it?
Josh Moody writes with a US Evangelical perspective in mind about the relocation of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School to Canada in Evangelicals Now. He observed that the relocation has provoked a significant discussion about theological training. It might be helpful for him to know that such a conversation has been going on, at least at… Continue reading If a “learned ministry” is important then what is it?
Are fewer people going into Gospel ministry?
I have heard anecdotal comments made a few times to the effect that fewer people are going into Gospel/pastoral ministry. This includes seeing the statement made on blogs/podcasts and in mainstream Christian media articles. I hear of churches that go for a long time without being able to fill a post but then I’m also… Continue reading Are fewer people going into Gospel ministry?
Clone wars … when preachers sound the same
On Friday I wrote about whether or not Christian publishers should be putting new books out there when the topic concerned has already been covered helpfully and sufficiently by another book. This was in response to this tweet from my friend Alistair Chalmers. One of Alistair’s main reasons was that he observed as he read,… Continue reading Clone wars … when preachers sound the same
Do we need to test the ability of trainee pastors to write essays?
From time to time I write about where I believe things need to change in terms of training people for pastoral ministry. I believe that if we are going to train more people for Gospel work then we need to look at different ways of going about the training. This does not mean that I’m… Continue reading Do we need to test the ability of trainee pastors to write essays?
Training for ministry is not just about “what” but “who”
Over time, the pendulum swings back and forth in terms of what is considered a good education. A few years back, schools were all about so called “child centred learning” where children were to be encouraged to explore and discover for themselves. Teachers were not “the sage on the stage” but “ the guide at… Continue reading Training for ministry is not just about “what” but “who”
Theological training -what is the standard we are looking for?
I’ve heard all kinds of analogies for theological training. The one that sticks in my mind from those arguing for seminary training is the comparison to airline pilots. You wouldn’t want to be a passenger if the pilot had never been trained, had done the bare minimum or was learning on the job. Recently as… Continue reading Theological training -what is the standard we are looking for?
Leaky pipes are best replaced
This article by Nay Dawson is essential reading for complementarians who believe that women are called to serve in Christ’s church too. This is not a post pushing for us to change our minds on what Scripture says about elders and about teaching. It is simply arguing that women are given gifts to use for… Continue reading Leaky pipes are best replaced
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