Pathways

It has been said that the road to anywhere is a road to nowhere.  This is another way of saying that one should be certain about the path they take in life.   Think about going on a holiday.  Now I know there are those who simply hop in their car and head down the road seeing where the road might lead.  The problem is that they are unsure of where they are heading.   At the end of the day they might have simply driven around in a circle.   A much better approach is to take the road that leads to somewhere.  With a destination in mind you take the pathway that will get you there.

As CRCA churches we are heading somewhere.  There is a destination in mind.   For example, in the area of training, our goal is to multiply the number of well-trained ministry workers and leaders. Both at the local church level, as well as across the denomination.  Check out what I said earlier about our leadership development strategy.  But while the destination remains the same, as churches in the 21st century we recognize that in order to increase the number of well-trained ministry workers (voluntary or paid, part-time or full-time, unordained or ordained) we need to have multiple ministry and leadership development pathways.   There might be alternate routes or different pathways, but the destination remains the same:  multiplying the number of well-trained leaders. 

We been looking at the various strategies we have in place for coaching, and training for evangelism, disciple-making, and leadership development.   Our strategy is also to resource the development of the multiple pathways we need to develop ministry workers and leaders.  So what might this look like?

Well take for example the pathway to ordained ministry.  When I studied for the ordained ministry more than four decades ago, the pathway was well defined.   Go to the denominational seminary, complete a master's degree in divinity, be declared a candidate by the seminary, and then sustain an examination by the Classis of the church to which I was called.  It was a rigorous pathway, but very straight-forward.   And just one pathway.   This was true also for the CRCA.   Men would study at the Geelong-based Reformed Theological College, be declared a candidate, and sustain their Classis exam(s).  Over the past decade, in partnership with the RTC (Reformed Theological College) and the Candidacy Committee, multiple pathways were developed for those preparing for the ordained ministry.   One could study at the RTC for 4 years.   There are a number of flexible study modes such as on campus study, online study, and live video-conferenced classes.   These flexible study options are designed to suit a student's particular life and ministry situation.  These modes can be mixed and matched to maximise the benefits of each.   Another pathway is combining 2 years of Church-Based Training (CBT) with 2 years at RTC.    People can also study at another theological college and finish off with 1 year at the RTC. 

The RTC is also well positioned to provide multiply pathways for ministry and leadership development.   Not everyone is heading toward the ordained ministry.   There are those who like to prepare for Christian service, both inside and beyond the local church.   Others desire to become equipped for Christian ministry in the marketplace, in every day life.   Some want to grow in their faith so that can effectively be salt and light in this world (Matthew 5:13-16).   And for those who want to be equipped to serve the local church a growing number of modules are being rolled out through the resources of The Way discipleship training.  As CRCA churches we are grateful to God for this partnership we have in the gospel with the RTC. 

In addition to the RTC, the CRCA is urging all pastors and local churches to encourage and support their Uni students and and young people’s involvement in strategic conferences and events, such as MTS Challenge conferences (or equivalent in each State), Engage (in Victoria), Next Gen (in NSW), Vision 100 (TAS), Reach Australia, etc.  The TRAIN Workgroup is committed to ensure that there is an annual focused event in each Classis/State for raising up gospel workers, pitched at UNI students and other young people aged 18-30.    Where there is no such focused event held by other gospel-hearted ministries, the TRAIN Workgroup will consider sponsoring such an event as an investment in future leaders.  These events and conferences are key resources to not only strengthen existing leaders and ministries, but also help raise the next generation of leaders needed in our churches.

So what path of ministry and leadership development are you on?   What about your elders, deacons, and other ministry volunteers?   What about your youth and young adults?   Have you given them a roadmap that will explain to them the various paths they can take to develop themselves in ministry and as leaders?   The men and women in our churches are our greatest asset to grow the impact of the gospel in and through our churches.   The more people you develop, the more you will see your church grow and be built up into maturity and gospel effectiveness (see Ephesians 4:11-16).   It is all about getting people on the development pathways.