GLOBAL SHEPHERDS BLOG
When the Three Stay Together
Over the past several posts, I have been making a case for a simple idea: theological education is strongest when biblical learning, ministry, and the life of the local church remain connected. We began with biblical learning because ministry must have a foundation. Pastors need to know Scripture, understand sound doctrine, and develop the ability to think biblically. We then […]
The Life of the Local Church: Where Pastoral Formation Becomes Visible
In the first two posts in this series, I have argued that biblical learning, ministry, and the life of the local church belong together in preparing pastors and ministry leaders. Biblical learning provides the foundation. Pastors need to know Scripture, understand sound doctrine, and develop the ability to think biblically. Ministry then provides the setting in which they put that […]
Ministry: Where Biblical Learning Is Put into Practice
In the previous post, I argued that biblical learning must remain foundational to the preparation of pastors and ministry leaders. Christian ministry cannot be built merely on good intentions, leadership ability, experience, or practical techniques. It must be rooted in the truth of God’s Word. Pastors need to know Scripture, understand doctrine, and develop the ability to think biblically about […]
Biblical Learning: The Foundation for Faithful Ministry
When we talk about preparing pastors and ministry leaders, one of the most basic questions we must ask is also one of the most important: What does a pastor need to know? That question has shaped theological education for centuries. It explains why we teach biblical survey, theology, hermeneutics, church history, homiletics, pastoral ministry, and a host of other subjects. […]
When Biblical Learning, Ministry, and the Local Church Stay Together
Several years ago, I had the privilege of teaching a pastor in Latin America who was already faithfully serving his local church. He was educated, experienced in ministry, and committed to the people God had entrusted to him, but he had not had extensive opportunities for deeper theological education. Through a series of modular courses, he began studying theology and […]
Eight Principles for Sending Churches and Missionaries
When I ask pastors, average Christians, and missionaries what missions is all about, I often hear three very different kinds of answers. Pastors use words such as strategic, global outreach, and extension of the church. The average Christian may use words such as exciting, courageous, and spiritual. Missionaries, however, often use words such as hard, lonely, and sacrifice.
In 2011, my […]