Next Steps
Thank you for praying about our role on this mission team. Since the departure of Pastor Vicente, I (Adam) have been offered a teaching role in the La Ceiba Bible Institute, started by our team. After much discussion with Michelle, wise counsel from elders of different churches, and of course prayer, we have decided to pursue the opportunity. Why is this work important?Churches are plentiful in La Ceiba but most pastors have little or no formal training or education. Providing a solid biblical education equips existing and up-and-coming church leaders to do their best and properly handle the Word of God ( 2 Timothy 2:15). Why me?I often ask this question myself. Ha! I believe that God has called me to it, not because of my abilities but simply because I am willing and His glory will shine all the brighter through this broken vessel. I'm not seminary trained and I've never taught. On the other hand, I've been in La Ceiba for 3 and a half years now, allowing me to build lots of relationship, and learn the language, which has opened lots of doors in the church community. The missing pieces will come over time. I'll begin taking seminary classes on-line to increase my knowledge and I'll develop my teaching skills through personal study and on-the-job experience. Another advantage is that our core classes in the seminary are from Third Millennium Ministries, which means the content and much of the structure are already in place. I won't be responsible for developing curriculum but can give my attention to guiding students and application. And thankfully, I am not alone. I'm only one part of a team. My teammate Seth is a very bright and talented teacher. Raul Villanueva is an experienced pastor/teacher who brings an indigenous understanding of the culture. How does this change my everyday work?Over the past 2+ years, I have spent a good portion of my time coaching and working alongside national pastors. So the role is very similar. Teaching will certainly be a new aspect, but applying the information to church leaders' lives and ministries will be familiar territory. Moving forward, my job will consist of:
- taking seminary classes myself to be better equipped for teaching
- preparing and teaching classes in the bible institute
- mentoring students outside of the classroom
- coordinating short-term teams that work alongside of us
Does this mean I'm not church-planting any more?
Our team's church-planting has always been through equipping and supporting national pastors. Our efforts to establish Bible believing, multiplying churches has always been by a less direct method than planting and pastoring churches ourselves. Leadership development is just as crucial and probably a more sustainable approach. The vision is still to equip Honduran church leaders to better lead their congregations and start new ones.
While my role as a teacher will be important, I don't view it as an end in itself. Working with Bible students will be a pastoral opportunity, taking place outside of the classroom, too. Inviting students into our home and laboring side by side in ministry will provide opportunities to help apply classroom knowledge to personal lives and personal callings. It will also be a two way street. Living, working and worshiping in another culture continuously reveals how much a product I am of my culture. Although in a teaching role, I will also be a student, with more to learn from my Honduran brothers and sisters than I have to offer them.
| 
No comments:
Post a Comment