Leadership training must change
Christian leadership training must change and is changing if churches are to face the challenges of the future.
And not before time, according to Manfred Kohl, a leader of the International Congregational Fellowship.
Writing in the International Congregational Journal, Dr Kohl says academic education in medicine, science, business and law has changed drastically over past decades, but 'theological education has remained the same for centuries.'
A regular visitor to seminaries around the world, Dr Kohl notes that 'many men and women with a heart for ministry, an eagerness for mission and a zeal for evangelism enter seminary.
Three years later graduate theologically confused, having lost their commitment and unprepared for the task they hope to accomplish.'
He notes that 18,000 pastors leave ministry in North America every year 'not because of an insufficient knowledge of Greek or Hebrew but because of conflict in their own lives, families, church ministries etc.
No-one has prepared them to deal with conflict, yet many seminaries emphasise the study of Greek and Hebrew, even Latin, as a requirement for becoming a pastor.
'The need of leaders in our churches to address personal and interpersonal issues before these become cases for psychologists and lawyers is, I believe, a far greater and more urgent need.'
The Church in the West, including Congregational churches, says Dr Kohl, must enter an era of transformation or reformation, beginning with its leadership. Denominations are becoming a 'relic of the past, practically meaningless to today's generation', and the voice of the church in the west, once significant and powerful in all spheres of society, has been downgraded 'to a mere whisper.'
"'Relic of the past' denominations are practically meaningless to this generation
The lives of church members and the ministries in which they are involved reflect what they are taught in theological schools, and 'it is therefore essential to take a closer, in depth look at the emphases in current theological education to determine whether or not future Christian leaders are receiving the best possible training for doing ministry. How can we recapture a prophetic voice?'
Dr Kohl suggests five areas requiring new directives: stewardship, reconciliation, outreach, youth and children, and lay training.
STEWARDSHIP: During his ministry Jesus spoke more about sharing, giving, possessions, money etc than about any other subject.
'Our capitalist, consumer culture needs to hear a loud, clear voice saying that all we are and all that we have belongs to God, not to us human beings. Global injustice begins with the failure of individuals to understand the distinction between what we need and what we want.
'We must teach our pastors and leaders biblical stewardship. We are not to consider our resources as our own personal property but as a trust to be shared with others.'
RECONCILIATION: 'Violence in every area is increasing rapidly. Where is the voice of the church? Jesus' message about peacemaking is core to being Christian.' He refers to a plan in America to train church members to be peacemakers and reconcilers with the aim of establishing a peacemaking church in every town.
OUTREACH: 'Relationship building - beyond nations and continents - can be electrifying.
Every church should have a relationship with a church in each of the continents, learning from each other, supporting and even speaking out for each other.
A network of international church relationships on a global scale could indeed help us to see beyond our own local situation.'
Dr Kohl says visits to Congregational churches in Romania, Lebanon, Iran, China and other countries have provided enormous blessings on both sides, and says: 'It is important that the voices of all churches, even those in the most underdeveloped parts of the world, be heard.'
'LITTLE PEOPLE' - youth and children: About 35 percent of the world's population is under 20 years of age, but 'our churches focus on adults especially in terms of worship and preaching ministry. Few of the world's great religious leaders have much regard for children. Jesus was different. Not only did he welcome children; he even used them to teach adults some essential spiritual lessons.
'Church leaders should be a voice for them, especially in a culture of violence and exploitation. Leaders in our churches should speak out against sex with children, child pornography, child labour, child soldiers - all instances of exploitation. Recent sex scandals (clergy involved with children in Catholic and Protestant churches), make it imperative that the Church speak out; not doing so is inexcusable.'
LAY TRAINING: In many churches most decisions are made by clergy and the church leadership. The common people have little or no say. 'Unfortunately Congregational churches are exhibiting a similar trend, quite contrary to original Congregational practice.'
Dr Kohl says that in a Russian church he saw 25 new members being admitted, each giving their testimony, and saying how they will serve the church. In South America some churches have a training programme for lay people every Saturday for two years.
'The fastest growing church in the Philippines requires that every church member attend a three-hour training session every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Theological schools must focus more on training laity and offer courses for market-place ministry. The voice of the pastor must be heard not only from the pulpit but also in the board rooms of banks and businesses and in the halls of government and secular institutions.
'Church gatherings in shopping malls, sports arenas and train and bus terminals are starting everywhere, especially in the non-western world. Church leadership must learn that ministry is not confined to the space within the walls of a comfortable church'.
Dr Manfred Kohl is Vice President of International Development for Overseas Council International, former Moderator of the International Congregational Fellowship, and co-chair of the International Congregational Theological Commission.