Introduction
The task of how we train church planters is a question that I have had for a number of years now, and I think it is an important question for us to consider in Ireland as well as globally. Since completing my masters, and thinking about sustainable leadership development, my heart has been moved to think about theological training, and how we connect this with ecclesiology and missiology to see people trained for more pioneering ministry contexts. Preparing for pastoring an established church in a suburban area is very different than doing so in a pioneering context. As the landscape of ministry evolves, theological educators find themselves at the forefront of shaping the next generation of church leaders, and their task is a challenging one with advancements in technology and the over-abundance of information thrown at us - never mind the variety of contexts that ministry takes place in. This week I wanted to write two blogs to start a conversation in how we can explore opportunities for education in the realm of training church planters, emphasising the need for a comprehensive and contextually relevant approach. Of course, there can be no ‘one-size-fits-all’ training for pastors and church planters, but I want to engage with current theological education options to see how pastors and church planters can be trained in context, thinking specifically for pioneering works.
Here are a few things I want to think through over the next few months, and hopefully as I engage with you guys in conversation, and with seminaries and programs, we can see how we can prepare future generations of church planters and pastors practically. As well as this, I want to understand how local churches and networks can assist in supporting theological institutions and para-church organisations to see this become a reality. I will split these over two posts, but first up let’s think about 5 areas to consider:
Specialised Church Planting Programs
One of the areas I’ve first thought about is the need for specific specialised church planting programs of education, especially in pioneering settings. The development of specialised programs or courses focused on church planting within theological institutions is a key opportunity that I know has been considered before by many. These programs can equip aspiring church planters with the theological, practical, and strategic knowledge needed for effective ministry in diverse contexts. I would imagine that the challenge for these is that due to the specialisation the uptake is low, and indeed not cost effective for training organisations. What I have experienced is those with missionary experience in different cultures teach in certain modules, however what would it look like for every aspect of ministry training to have this? Can our theology, ecclesiology and missiology become compartmentalised within modules rather than fuel one another? What are the specific church planting or pioneering training models available in this area, and what are the specific challenges they face?
Practical Ministry Training
A huge part of current theological training is in the area of ensuring the practicality of ministry is connected to the theoretical. Knowing how to theoretically prepare and preach a sermon is very different in actually doing it, and doing it repetitively for 46 weeks per year. Integrating practical ministry training into theological education is essential for holistic preparation, and long term ministry. The benefit of this is obvious as pastors and church planters benefit from a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, allowing them to navigate the complexities of real-world ministry. In our conversation, I’d love to find out how current theological training in Ireland incorporates this into its courses, especially in different contexts.
Contextualised Training
It is said that you only achieve what you aim for. In this case, it appears that what normally drives theological and ministry training is need. Especially in denominations, if pastors are needed to fill vacant churches, or youth workers are needed, then the focus will shift inevitably to meet that need. What happens therefore is a conveyor belt of similarly trained people to meet current gaps. Yet in the larger gap of planting new churches, specifically in pioneering areas, the need exists but in a different way. I remember being a pastor in a small church replant, and theological institutions were reluctant to send students on placement to us because we lacked the infrastructure for them. Instead they would get ministry experience in larger churches who had 2-3 students already. I fully realise that there are practical implications and limitations here, but it also means that in certain contexts or churches, this can compound the issue. Less exposure to pioneering contexts means that people are less aware and prepared for these. Tailoring training programs to the specific cultural, social, and contextual challenges of the regions where church planters will serve enhances their relevance and effectiveness. I would love to chat to theological educators in how pastors and planters can be supported to plant in a pioneering context, and how this could be practically designed.
Mentorship Programs
One of the most valuable things that I have in my ministry is that of mentors - and it's something that I would urge all those in ministry to pursue. Some of these have pursued me and others I have asked for their guidance, but without this I would have stunted years ago. During my theological training, having a supervisor was so helpful in thinking through the specifics of my ideas, and how to shape these to not only make sense, but have practical impact. Establishing mentorship programs that connect aspiring pastors and church planters with experienced mentors provides invaluable guidance and support, as well as challenging our thinking. Mentorship facilitates the transfer of practical wisdom, shares real-world experiences, and helps navigate the challenges inherent in church planting. It also shapes both individuals and does not have to be older-younger, but sometimes peer-peer can be as valuable in certain instances. Do current theological programs offer this? I’d love to hear your experience of this.
Emphasis on Discipleship
As I’ve thought though and spoken to other pastors and planters, the area of spiritual formation of disciples seems to be waining in our churches. There could be a lot written about this, but I’m wondering if this sense of belonging inhibits what we are becoming by God’s grace. We are a people who are primarily called to make disciples, but within theological training is there a direction to make and grow disciples rather than simply be conveyors of information? Prioritising the theological and practical aspects of discipleship in church planting training ensures a strong foundation for spiritual growth within the new congregation in a church plant. However, this is to be done in the sense of seeing people who come to faith develop as mature Christians. In my study on transitional leadership, the sad discovery was that many leaders appear to expect mature Christians and emerging leaders to just ‘appear’ and we lack the pathway and understanding of how people emerge as leaders, by first being disciples. How do our current training programs assist us in seeing ourselves as disciples who make disciple-makers?
Conclusion
In conclusion, theological educators hold a pivotal role in shaping the future of pastoral ministry and church planting by embracing and maximising the opportunities outlined above. By providing comprehensive, contextually relevant, and practical training, theological educators empower pastors and church planters to not only navigate the complexities of ministry but also to thrive in their calling. In this dynamic intersection of theory and practice, theological educators contribute significantly to the growth, effectiveness, and impact of church planting efforts worldwide. As I consider how best to see people trained for pastoral ministry and church planting on the island of Ireland, I’d love to engage with those working in this field to understand how their particular approach to facilitating theological education is preparing a new generation of pastors and planters, as well as doing this for more pioneering contexts. Later in the week I’ll look at another few ideas and opportunities, but I’d love to hear from you and you experience in these areas.
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