Church Planting Manual of the International Bible Baptist Ministry Part XII

 

By Dr. Hernes M. Abante
IBBC, San Leandro California
jhabante@aol.com

 

Continuing Education and Training

Another area that needs to be seriously considered in the ministry of church planting is the necessity of on-going training of preachers and staff - a training administered and supervised by the Pastor under the local church.

There are many preachers who become disillusioned with the ministry due to the lack of understanding of the current trend and pressing issues. This lack of understanding causes the church workers to become ill-equipped in facing the daily challenges in life, thus rendering them totally helpless.

No wonder most fundamental churches have lost the dynamism and have ran out of better ideas that workers have began to look for a better training ground to enhance their abilities and effectiveness. This started the rise and popularity of Leadership conferences and seminars, replacing the training that has been lacking in many churches today. Unfortunately, many pastors are not able to relate with most of the materials and the kind
of training they receive since they do not have access to the same resources and opportunities. They
are lured to attend because they
needed the sense of hope.

The mega church ministry hosting the conference has all the impressive qualities of a successful church ministry. The beautiful buildings, impressive
architectural design, stately halls and auditoriums, impressive guest speakers, and the extravagant promotions. They seem so powerful in enticing he pastors and preachers from small congregations to attend. They become the captive audience for several days or weeks, totally submerged in the belief that if they would only follow the principles they receive during the conference, they would see the same result in their ministry.

Success has been redefined to mean being big and great. It has been perceived as “do what our Church does and you would be successful”. It is not anymore “do what the Bible tells you to do”.

If the Lord Jesus Christ would go through the same standard of scrutiny these mega churches go through today, He would surely come out unsuccessful, perhaps, even a failure. Although He saw multitudes getting saved in his earthly ministry, yet we find Him working with only a handful
of people at all times. He was practically by Himself when He died on the cross. Most of the Apostles abandoned Him except John the Beloved.

The preachers today have been condi t ioned to vi ew success unrealistically. No wonder they get frustrated and disappointed when they go back to their local churches after the conference at the mega church. They are again confronted with the reality that they do not have the same resources the mega churches have. The facility is small, people are few, resources are limited, and no money in the bank. The good feelings last only for a week or for a season. Most of the things they learned are also found inapplicable and impractical in real case scenario. The workbooks and manuals purchased begin to occupy the too common location - the bookshelves.

To solve this distressing feeling of frustration, pastors and churches must devise a system to allow their church workers connect to the current
trend and the new challenges in the ministry. They need to take relevant courses and explore other approaches to be more effective. This of course
must not change the foundation and the landmarks of faith.

This is the only way to make the principles of God and His Word relevant to our day and to the lives of the members of the local church An on-going approach in training and education of our preachers and leaders is the final answer to this need. It is the intention of the International Bible Baptist Church to provide this opportunity and require all Preachers and Pastors undergo a continuing education program to maintain their effectiveness. If other professions require their members to go through a continuing education to maintain their license, why think less of the ministry. The Lord’s work is more important because if can provide greater help and encouragement to the people. This must behoove us to be greatly responsible for the glory of God.

(To be continued)