I am a professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary who also works with the Church Answers team. My life is wrapped around training church leaders. I love what I do, especially when I get to interact with pastors.
Church Answers, of course, offers several options for further training for church leaders, whether you are a pastor or a lay leader. Check the “resources” tab on this site, and you’ll see the various offerings. We intentionally think about how we might best equip churches to do the Great Commission, and we want to be an encouragement to church leaders.
I think about further training for ministry in terms of three words: opportunity, accessibility, and ability. When we have an opportunity for more preparation, accessibility to that preparation, and ability to do it, I’m convinced we must at least pray about the possibility. At a minimum, we must ask what the Lord might want from us.
Why do I believe that’s the case? Because there are believers all over the world who would give much for just a few minutes of training like most of us can access freely.
They may have ability, but they don’t always have opportunity and accessibility like you and I usually have. I’ve been with believers who so long for training that they will sit for hours soaking in whatever we might give them. I’ve also been with some who knew that were putting themselves at risk to come to a training, but they came anyway. They simply didn’t want to miss any opportunity to feed on the gospel. Indeed, my memories of these trainings still push me to consider how I, too, might continue to grow in knowledge and obedience.
So, do you have an opportunity for more training?
Do you have accessibility to that training?
Do you have the ability to do it?
If so, at least seek the Lord. If He calls you to do more preparation, He will lead you along the way. Let our Church Answers team know if you have questions.
Posted on March 20, 2024
Dr. Chuck Lawless is a leading expert in spiritual consultation, discipleship and mentoring. As a former pastor, he understands the challenges ministry presents and works with Church Answers to provide advice and counsel for church leaders.
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