|
Over the last few years, I have had many conversations with both present and future preachers about training men for ministry. The concern of some of the veterans is that too much training is being done in a sterile environment, producing many highly educated, yet passionless ministers. They seemingly have many facts about God but little fire for God. The overemphasis on education and gaining degrees is producing more scholars than soul winners and more lecturers than preachers.
The cry of the young men is “mentor me.” Many of them do want hands on help to equip them for ministry. They do thirst for knowledge, but they also need the practical training for service. All of us in leadership are for, and glad for, Christian education. We promote both Biblical home schooling and Christian schools. Unfortunately when a man goes through Christian school, to Bible College and on to Seminary, he can become efficient theoretically but deficient practically. If tomorrow’s ministry leaders are going to aggressively impact our wicked culture for the glory of God, it will take more than theological scholarship. We are in desperate need of both scripturally appointed and spiritually anointed preachers who can powerfully, precisely, passionately and practically proclaim the life changing Word of God.
In the military, those who would be leaders, go on for advance training beyond the basic. It is rigorous and demanding, fleshed out in a war type of environment. The military is looking for the best and brightest to lead future troops to victory. They are put in tough situations, with experienced soldiers, who not only to mentor but model the leadership principles.
A close study of the Bible will reveal that the training of men for ministry was primarily done by men in ministry. Moses trained Joshua. Elijah the prophet mentored his successor Elisha. The school of the prophets appears to have been directed by Elijah.
Barnabas was the encouraging mentor to the apostle Paul, who in turned invested his life in Timothy, Titus and others. He challenged Timothy, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” IITim.2:2 Just as Paul had discipled Timothy in both the doctrines and duties of the ministry, so he was to deposit those truths to reliable ministers who were qualified to train others. The torch of truth was to pass from one generation of God called preachers to the next, by mentoring ministers who were on the front lines working and warring for Christ. (IITim.2:2-6)
It is with this historical and biblical background for training preachers, as well as the seeming need among future preachers, that I offer one contribution for mentoring tomorrow’s ministers.
 |
