Mentoring of future pastors?

I don't know the answer, Jason, but I am interested to know myself.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

I have heard that the internship program at Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette, Indiana is legendary.

http://www.fbclafayette.org/

 

mentoring is solely based upon the pastor of each individual Church. Some would be overjoyed at having a young preacher to instill their wisdom into, while others feel they do not have time or the ability to take on a mentor. Additionally, the SBC local associations have mentoring programs usually to help new up and coming preachers. You just need to check around and find a good Church willing to mentor. (hint) do not look at the bigger Churches, they have too many people and ministries for the pastor to take time to mentor one man.

 

Great idea, Thunder. Sort of the direction that I am going in.

The SBC association here has zip that I can find out about. But, then, the DOM seems to be avoiding me.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

The Master's Seminary (John MacArthur) has a fully-integrated system whereby the professors are elders in Grace Church, and the students are assigned to the elders to work in various departments and ministries, as a part of their studies. If you want to learn how to preach the Bible verse by verse, and if you want to be schooled in practical ministry, there is probably no better program.

 

Yeah, if your dad was Howard Hughes.

If I could afford it, I'd have already been there for several years by now.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

The seminary I attended was modelled after Spurgeon's College. All the students had student pastorates. We learned as we went, but we had the school to fall back on for assistance.

My Baptist group had a program for students in summer where they worked with a senior pastor for the summer months. It was very helpful.

There is nothing like a rural pastorate with a godly congregation to bring you along. That is where I learned how to be a pastor.

Cheers,

Jim

 

SOunds great, Jim. But thus far none of them want a wet-bhind-the-ears preacher like me, since I don't have a degree or ten years experience.

I am searching for something along the lines of a mentor. Whether I find it, that will be up to God, because I am sure working on my end.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

Trotter,
I'm not trying to be snooty or elitist, but is there a reason you don't have a degree? Are you against it on principle, or do you just see too many obstacles to making it happen?

 

I am the sole provider for my family. I was not saved until I was 22, and already had a family. I cannot just drop the role of provider into my wife's lap while I skip off to seminary.

I am pursuing my associate's degree through distance learning, though. The cost was low enough that I could afford it, and I was able to make monthly payments on it. With the hours I work (6am-4:30pm Mon-Sat, 6-2:30 or 4:30 most Sat, some Sun), I can't really "go" to school.

I am also "self-taught" in a broad sense. I am a voracious reader, and I actually prefer "school-type" books. I am always reading something about pastoring, preaching, commentaries, etc.

I had hoped that the pastor of the church we were attending was going to mentor me. But, after six years, I finally figured it out. Plus, after stepping back and really looking, I do not want to be the type of pastor that he is.

Hope that answers your questions.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

if you cannot find a mentor then you will just have to let the Spirit be your mentor.

 

Trotter,
I didn't start school with kids, but by the time I finished I had two. I was married for the whole time, and my wife and I both received our Bible College bachelor degrees over a six-year period. The school I attended had several men with families in both college and seminary. I worked 45-60 hours a week in restaurant management while going to school, and still found time in those years to lead our church's youth ministry (including leading two week-long summer missions trips), be Awana Commander, preach in nursing homes, direct Vacation Bible School, and sing in choir- admittedly, not all at the same time... but it was in the same church under the same pastor. After I graduated, I spent 3 more years there as a paid Associate Pastor!

My point is if the Lord is directing you, He will give you the means to make it possible. It may not be easy, but it is rewarding and character-building. I will say this, too- the pace I maintained during those 6 years (not to mention the experience of managing reluctant employees in fast food) was wonderful preparation for the pace I am maintaining now as a small-town pastor with no other paid staff.