Next Steps (While you wait)-Seek Enrichment

During the last several posts I have suggested several things you should do while you are waiting on God and discerning His purpose and plan for your future. I have encouraged you to pursue spiritual growth, connect with a local church, and find accountability. Today I want to talk to you about enrichment and continuing education.

Above Reproach Groups

Over the last several years, before my current assignment, I served two larger churches in Tennessee- Brainerd Baptist Church in Chattanooga and Long Hollow Church in Hendersonville. While serving there I noticed that several men were wrestling with a call to vocational ministry and had no one to “walk” with them and serve as a “sounding board” or give them feedback. In addition there were several younger men who were interns or on our staff that were new to the ministry and had no ministry experience. Several of the young men went to seminary online and never had a forum to discuss with others theology or concepts they were learning in their classes or from the books they were reading. As I observed all these things, I was prompted to begin what I called an “Above Reproach” group.

The name comes from 1 Timothy 3 where Paul lays out the qualifications of an elder.

Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach (1 Timothy 3:2).

Notice that being “above reproach” is the first quality on the list. So it seemed to be an appropriate name along with the fact that so many men were leaving the ministry because their competency outran their character.

During the first group (Brainerd Baptist) we walked through the pastoral epistles, learned how to do inductive Bible study, learned the basic steps to the sermon, discussed hot topics in church life, talked about struggles, and prayed together.

When I went to Long Hollow rather than doing one continuous group (with guys coming in and out), I took a semester approach with a beginning and ending time. This allowed us to have holidays and summers off.

This is the approach that I would recommend.

Pastor, let me encourage you. When you have men who are wrestling with a call to vocational ministry to walk with them and provide feedback to help them follow the call that God has placed on their lives. Many of the men that have been in these groups are now in full vocational ministry today and are choice servants of God. Pastor, I know that you are very busy, but let me encourage you to invest in these emerging leaders.

Continue Education

Some of you may feel led to pursue some sort of Continuing Education. There are so many things that you can take advantage of – conferences, seminars, courses online, master classes, a variety of podcasts and YouTube channels. Others may want to pursue a more formal education enrolling in Bible college or seminary. Let me encourage you to “test the water” with a basic certificate or degree. I have had men in my Above Reproach groups that have gotten certificates from seminaries and also basic master’s degrees such as Masters of Christian Ministries. It is a good practice to make sure you seek enrichment while you are figuring out next steps.