The Pastor as Talent-Scout Issues in Practical Ministry
2 How do you identify potential leaders? Does he have a basic spirituality? Does he have a basic spirituality? Does he demonstrate integrity? Does he demonstrate integrity? Is he teachable? Is he teachable? Does he blame-shift? Does he blame-shift? Is he punctual? Is he punctual?
Issues in Practical Ministry3 Questions about skills Is there evidence that he can take initiative? Is there evidence that he can take initiative? Is there evidence that he can introduce change constructively? Is there evidence that he can introduce change constructively? Does he go for quality or quantity? Does he go for quality or quantity?
Issues in Practical Ministry4 Training new leaders: A few Donts Dont raise expectations that the local church cannot meet Dont raise expectations that the local church cannot meet Dont appoint too quickly: tasks not roles Dont appoint too quickly: tasks not roles Dont be hit and miss: Provide continuous feedback Dont be hit and miss: Provide continuous feedback Dont pursue excellence at the expense of trainees Dont pursue excellence at the expense of trainees
Issues in Practical Ministry5 Jesus: the model of a mentor Jn 17:4 He finished the work of preparing twelve unlikely people Jn 17:4 He finished the work of preparing twelve unlikely people V6 He reveals the father to them V6 He reveals the father to them V8 He gives them his words V8 He gives them his words V9 He prays for them V9 He prays for them V12 He keeps them safe V12 He keeps them safe V18 He sends them into the world V18 He sends them into the world
Issues in Practical Ministry6 What can we learn from Jesus? He selected his team He selected his team He modelled leadership He modelled leadership He spent time with them He spent time with them He taught them He taught them He gave them responsibility He gave them responsibility He provided feedback He provided feedback He prayed for them He prayed for them
Issues in Practical Ministry7 The context of leadership training Build a church that focuses on PEOPLE not projects Build a church that focuses on PEOPLE not projects Develop the attitude that We are in this together… Develop the attitude that We are in this together… …that people will grow, develop ministries, use gifts, undergo training …that people will grow, develop ministries, use gifts, undergo training
Issues in Practical Ministry8 How do you build that context? By attending courses etc By attending courses etc By a habit of wide reading By a habit of wide reading By sharing your expertise By sharing your expertise By developing training By developing training By concentrating on young people By concentrating on young people By insisting on proper training By insisting on proper training By mentoring By mentoring
Issues in Practical Ministry9 Training within the local church Foundation Courses (Bible/ Alpha/ Membership) Foundation Courses (Bible/ Alpha/ Membership) Preparing for Ministry courses (Finding your Gift/Homiletics) Preparing for Ministry courses (Finding your Gift/Homiletics) Life skills courses (Marriage/ Parenting) Life skills courses (Marriage/ Parenting) Short courses (Giving an Epilogue/ Leading a Small Group) Short courses (Giving an Epilogue/ Leading a Small Group)
Issues in Practical Ministry10 The content of leadership training Knowledge Knowledge Character Character Skills Skills
Issues in Practical Ministry11 The personal dynamics of leadership training The Mentor/ mentee relationship The Mentor/ mentee relationship A two year Structure A two year Structure
Issues in Practical Ministry12 Setting realistic goals Year One Year One –KNOWLEDGE Acquire an overview of OT history (John Bright History of Israel ) –CHARACTER Establish the habit of a daily quiet time (Oswald Chambers My Utmost for His Highest ) –SKILLS Learn to lead a small group (N.McBride, How to Lead Small Groups )
Issues in Practical Ministry13 Year 2 Year 2 –KNOWLEDGE Develop understanding of the Gospel (John Stott, The Cross of Christ ) –CHARACTER Learn to participate effectively in public prayer and worship (J.Packer, Knowing God) –SKILLS Learn how to preach effectively (M.Lloyd-Jones Preaching and Preachers)
Issues in Practical Ministry14 Training: The ongoing process The context of all-age training The context of all-age training The place of Bible College! The place of Bible College! P.White, The Effective Pastor 1998 P.White, The Effective Pastor 1998