Perspectives on Training Miami Symposium April 6-7, 2006

Part 1 Training is Covenantal

Training Is Covenantal It is best accomplished in the context of a relationship with God I will be your God, You will be my people Obvious? Why do we so readily tend to rely on transmission of concepts?

Heirs of Plato The World of Ideas Privileged/elevated concepts –above activity –above character –Above the changing world This is idolatry

Over-depend on Gifts? Reformed churches are good at doctrine Maybe we depend more on our good doctrine than on Christ If so, this is idolatry

Heirs of Kant Concepts become objective science Everything is quantifiable God can’t be there Add another realm –Provides “freedom” –Must act as if God existed. Freedom God Religion Objective Science

Technique plus God Training becomes “neutral” and “scientific” God not needed Content makes it religious Add personal piety Training Add Biblical content & personal piety

Harry Blamires (1961) We think about Christian things But do we think Christianly? With a Christian worldview? The Christian Mind

Nancy Pearcey (2004) Total Truth Liberating the Church from it’s Cultural Captivity

Covenantal Training: Dt. 6:5-8 Content –God’s WORDS Context –Relate them to every situation –Everything you DO Character/Motivation –LOVE the Lord –Commands On your HEART

God’s Trifold Revelation Mouth HandName Words WorksCharacter What he says What he doesWho he is Voice: Authority Arm: Power Face: Presence Prophet KingPriest CHRIST Epistemology: How do we know? Ethics: What should we do?Ontology: What is there?

Reflection in Creation

Reflection in Person

Knowledge Requires Obedience

Obedience Requires Love

Love Requires Knowledge

Covenantal Integration Ps. 119:100 You understand when you obey Ps. 119:34 You obey when you understand Ps. 119:55 Experience of God’s Name leads to obedience Ps. 119:68 Experience of God’s goodness leads to understanding

Not a Balance Balance?

Balance becomes Mediocrity

Christ the Integrator CHRIST

Idolatrous Integrator KNOW

Idolatrous Integrator SUCCESS

The Biblical Spiral of Growth

Christ-Centered “Come to me and drink.” John 7:37-39

Three General Models of Training

Modification of Ward’s Split-Rail Fence Know Do Be

Modification of Ward’s Split-Rail Fence Know Do Be Mt. 28 “Make disciples” Eph. 4 “Equip the saints for ministry”

Henry Mintzberg (2004) Managers Not MBAs

Peter B. Vaill Learning as a Way of Being

Integration of Training & Ministry Current Common Model –Pastor & staff as providers of spiritual goods & services –Congregation as consumers –Separates training & ministry

Integration of Training & Ministry Need to take more seriously Ephesians 4:11ff –God gave evangelists, pastors & teachers –To prepare God’s people for ministry –Result is growth & maturity

Integration of Training & Ministry Need to take more seriously Matthew 28:16ff –Not just transmit doctrine –Not just give skills –Make disciples: people who follow Jesus Teach To obey In union with the Trinity

Integration around Christ

Training is Covenantal Teach them God’s words To obey God’s words in every situation Out of love for God So that Christ is their hero

Part II Training must be Contextualized

How many of you would say… I like to get my work done before I feel good about taking time to enjoy life. I do better work when I take time off to enjoy life. I need more information before I can make a good decision about what new projects to undertake or whether to take time off.

Where do you start? CHRIST

Priority to Doing?

Priority to Being?

Priority to Knowing?

Denominational Cultures What is true of people is also true of organizations Name a church denomination that leads out with knowing…. Name a church denomination that leads out with doing…. Name a church denomination that leads out with being….

National Cultures What is true of people and organizations is also true of cultures Name a culture that leads out with knowing…. Name a culture that leads out with doing…. Name a culture that leads out with being….

Question! What happens when…. A North American, Presbyterian missionary comes to plant churches/train in Latin America?

What is Culture? A Window on God’s Glory

Different Perspectives

Culture has Deep Layers

Culture is a Priority System Latin American Culture Value: Relationships Assumptions: Relationships take priority over efficiency. Good relationships lead to accomplishment Affects “customs” US Culture Value: Efficiency and goals Assumptions: accomplishment of goals takes priority over relationships Accomplishment leads to relationship Affects “customs”

Why are Cultures Different? Three Views

Developmental View If cultures are different it’s because they are At different stages of development.

Functional View Cultures are different because they are independent systems that meet different sets of needs

Biblical View: Reflection Cultures Reflect Different but Complementary Aspects of Christ’s Glory

Fishbowl Effect

A Personal Testimony Me: INTJ

Christ vs. Idols What has captivated your gaze as a culture? One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord…. Ps. 27:4

Cultural Idolatry! Dangers abroad And at home

An Example Latin Perspective Fellowship first & during work Make sure everyone is on board Americans are too focused on the task US Perspective First work, then fellowship Have to get things done Latins are too unfocused & relational

We Design around our Strengths Doing: planning, management by objectives Knowing: Classroom as centerpiece

Common Result Attract people who like our priorities Produce churches with a foreign ring No movement

Missions as Learning Work daily Side by side With national peers Learn to love and appreciate