Training of the Church
No organisation succeeds without prioritising the training of its members in developing their roles. If this is true, could this be an explanation why so many churches are not growing?
In 1997 Tony Blair said that a future Labour Government would prioritise education with his catch phrase,
‘Education, Education, Education’.
Every good teacher knows that ‘training’ involves much more that just ‘telling’, it also involves repetition and then ‘testing’ to ensure the students can explain in their own words what they have assimilated. Telling alone is not teaching. Is this why many churches who rely on preaching alone fail to produce effective ministers of every member. The goal of teaching is for students to have the ability to explain what they have learned.
Just as a wise Sunday School teacher will repeatedly remind children what they have been taught, they will also be tested and have points or prizes for good results. A point for learning the memory verses, a point for bringing a friend and a point for good work. Just telling is not good training, either for adults or for children.
A vicar who had been newly appointed to a benefice with six parishes was asked how he would cope. He replied that there are other ministers who will share the load. When asked who these were he explained that there were several retired ordained ministers in the area who can help lead services! I could only reply,
“Then the churches will probably fade out if that is the view of ministry. Don’t you think Ephesians 4:11-13 is emphasising a different approach?”
This section of the Bible reads
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13
The ministers of a church should be the whole congregation who have been trained for their roles which will undoubtedly vary. Some will be the stomachs of the church, to study and digest the meaning of Scripture and share this knowledge with others in the church. Some will be feet who go out spreading the gospel, others will be the hands who serve others. All should be regarded as ministers.
Ephesians 4:12 commands church leaders to equip “the saints in the work of ministry.” Sometimes, unfortunately, it’s easier and less time-consuming to try and do most of the ministry ourselves. Or we can go to the opposite extreme and give ministry responsibilities to those who have not been trained for that role. Scripture calls us to equip those under our leadership, this is the way we are “to build up the body of Christ.”
Many pastors tend to “dump responsibilities on people inappropriately and call it delegation.” How many awful sermons are given in churches by poorly trained preachers. Such sermons will inevitably empty our churches. Instead, we need to provide speakers the proper training, resources, and coaching to equip them well. This cannot be a one-off training meeting. Ongoing training, constant review and development is essential if we are to help someone grow as a disciple of Christ and in their ministry role.
Paul divides the role of a good church leader into three main areas,
“Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” 1 Timothy 4:13
The reading of Scripture is the only basis for knowing how God thinks. Preaching is the explanation and application of Scripture to the everyday lives of the hearers. Teaching instils this knowledge in the listeners minds so they can share it with others and obey what they have learned.
Knowledge
“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.” Proverbs 18:15
Sharing knowledge is a basic requirement of training. This need for knowledge comes 130 times in the Bible If a person is not to be ineffective or unproductive as a Christian, obtaining knowledge of what God has taught us is foundational. This is not to be academic knowledge only, this must be applied to every aspect of our lives.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.” 2 Peter 1:5-9
The word ‘teaching’ comes 361 times in the Bible, 242 of these being in the New Testament. Jesus was renouned both for his teaching and his miracles,
“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,” Matthew 7:28
When Jesus gave his final commission to his disciples and their successors he emphasised evangelism and training through teaching as the priorities,
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
For people to know God well, they need to know the Word of God. This is why Timothy was urged to make Bible teaching the priority of his life.
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:1-5
The context, from what is written at the end of chapter 3, makes it clear that the Word he is talking about is Scripture. Many in our churches are dying of Biblical malnutrition, Many church attenders are not getting to know the Bible well and indeed are not studying it for themselves. What a tragedy this is both for them and for the church. How can people pass on the message about Jesus and the salvation he offers if they are not clear about it themselves.
When Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy he stressed the need for teaching God’s truths in the churches. There were many false teachers around, just as there are today, so the need for teaching what Jesus taught through his apostles is paramount. Timothy was well- grounded in his training and he had to pass this on,
“If you point out these things to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching you have followed.” 1 Timothy 4:6
When Paul wrote to Titus he again emphasised the need for good teaching in the church,
“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be . . . “ Titus 2:1-2
“Likewise teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live . . .” Titus 2:3
Significantly these older women were themselves to become teachers and pass on what they have learned and so train the younger women and undoubtedly their children. What better way is there to show how much you love someone than by passing on an understanding of God and his truths. they are,
“ . . to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children. . . so that no-one will malign the Word of God.” Titus 2:3-5
The young men need to be taught too,
“Similarly encourage the young men to be self controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of fo speech . . .” Titus 2:6-8
We teach by example as much as by word.
The need for teaching everbody is also emphasised,
“Teach slaves to be subject to their masters, to try to please them . . . so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.” Titus 2:9-10
Thus all God’s people are to see themselves as teachers of others about the Lord Jesus.
Wisdom
The word ‘wisdom’ is derived from the Old English words wis (“of a certainty, for certain”) and dóm (“statute, judgment, jurisdiction”). Wisdom can therefore be defined as “The capacity of judging rightly in matters relating to life and conduct; soundness of judgement in the choice of means and ends; sometimes less strictly, sound sense, esp. in practical affairs.” Wisdom is applied knowledge and is greatly valued in Scripture. The word ‘wisdom’ is used 219 times in the Bible and is often associated with knowledge. God longs for all people to be wise.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
Thus it is said of Bazalel, the man in charge of constructing the tabernacle,
“See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills . . .” Exodus 31:2-3
Solomon asked the Lord to give him both wisdom and knowledge,
“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 2 Chronicles 1:10
“God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.” 1 Kings 4:9
Wisdom brings all our knowledge together in a unified way that results in godly, coherent lives. Today there are many diverse views held by people in society, many of which are not in accord with God, and many of which ideas are destructive to individuals, families and society. Truth must be defined as concepts compatible with God. This should be the aim of a ‘uni-versity’ training which should to bring unity out of diversity. Unfortunately many institutions do the opposite, they increase ‘diversity’ or even ‘perversity’!
Practical training
When I first went as a leader to help on a children’s camp the senior leader suggested that I might like to do some ‘personal work with one of the senior lads.’ He had to explain to me what he meant,
“Try and find out where he is spirituaslly and how you might help him.”
I hadn’t realised that it was the responsibility of every Christian to help others spiritually and I did not have a clue how to do this so I asked. He suggested that after the evening camp talk I suggest to him that we go for a walk around the grounds and start by chatting about how he was enjoying camp and which aspects he liked most. Then move onto what he thinks of the talks and then move on to what he thought of ‘The Way’ talk that explained how a person can become a Christian. He then suggested,
“Then you can ask him whether he has asked Jesus into his life yet or is still thinking about this.”
I felt so embarassed as I embarked on what I felt was a very difficult challenge. The lad agreed to come for a walk and I managed to survive the ordeal. The lad did tell me that he had indeed asked Jesus into his life but I’m not sure that I helped him any further. I now recognise that I could have helped him so much more. However my training had started.
When I was a young Christian at university I was greatly helped by the Navigators, a Christian organisation who emphasise training. We were encourgaed to learn Bible verses by heart, Their ‘Topical Memory System’ is still one of the best schemes available for helping Christians get started in really knowing what the Bible teaches. When was the last time you sat down to memorise a portion of Scripture? May I suggest you buy some library cards, write the Biblical reference on one side and write out the verse to be learned on the other. Then carry this around and keep testing yourself. It is embarassingly painful but very beneficial.
Then a group from Operation Mobilisation, an interdenominational mission group, visited the city where I was studying and suggested we go around the houses to see if any are interested in what God thinks of them. Again I was terrified and thought of several excuses why this wasn’t a good idea. However I joined a team and in pairs we went door knocking. Opening lines were suggested to us and by the end of two days doing this we all felt a little more comfortable about talking about the Lord Jesus and his gospel. We also learned how much misunderstanding there is about, how people have mistaken religion and been put off by obnoxious Christians they have met for the good news of the gospel itself.
Priorities in Churches
If we are to be apostolic Christians in apostolic churches we do need to relearn the lessons of the early churches and encourage every Christian to see their role as bringing glory to the Lord Jesus. It is not enough for non-Christians to admire the honesty and love of Christians if we are not pointing people to the source of our behaviour – a commitment to the Lord Jesus himself. The only way they will understand this is if they are told. Jesus said,
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
The way we live must point people to Jesus. It is all too easy to live attractive lives that only benefit ourselves. All Christians need to be trained in how to point people to Jesus. Professor David Short of Aberdeen was the Queen’s Physician in Scotland. He was very eminent and highly regarded. One day he overheard some people talking about him; they were saying what a great person he was in so many ways, but he noticed that they did not mention that he was a Christian. He then realised that much of what he had done in medicine had been for his glory and not for the glory of the Lord Jesus.
All Christians need to be trained so they know the Bible well, to be encouraged to memorise key verses in Scripture and to apply this teaching so they live for the glory of our Lotd Jesus.
It is only by training and regular practice that people can learn to speak naturally about their Lord and saviour.
The Russian novelist, Leo Tolstoy, wrote his autobiography and called it Confessions’. He said that his whole life was ‘a search for meaning’.
“As a young man I thought it was in wine, women and song. So I pursued those things. It was good fun but there wasn’t meaning there.
I then decided it was in wealth. I inherited my father’s estate. I became one of the wealthiest men in all Russia. It was great to have all that wealth. There was lots that I could do that was good but nevertheless there was still a hollowness, still a lack of meaning.
I then decided that there would be ultimate meaning in fame – in making my mark. So I wrote ‘War and Peace’. Wherever I went I was received as a great man but still there was a hollowness.
I decided it was in having a family and having a wife and children. In 1867 I married and had thirteen children. This for a period put me off finding a meaning of life.
Then at one point, when watching his children at play, “What meaning has my life that the inevitability of death won’t destroy? I saw that one day my children would be dust and that filled me with anguish”
He went on asking this question about the meaning of life until eventually, through a peasant on one of his farms, he saw the meaning of Matthew 11:28,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”
Tolstoy concluded,
“At last I found rest in my relationship with Christ. After all that lifetime of achievement.”
Finance
In the Old Testament God’s people were expected to give a tenth of their profit for God’s work. There is no precise injunction in the apostles’ wrtings but it is clear that the early Christians were very generous both in supporting other Christians facing financial hardship and in supporting those involved in building up churches. Today Christians do need to be trained to think selflessly about their finances. At the same time church leaders need to be very careful to ensure that whatever has been given sacrificially is used wisely for God’s glory and not their own. There is surely no place for those in ministry to live extravagant lifestyles as to do so demeans the very selfless gospel that the Bible talks about.
Hospitality
Hospitality is a key tool that God uses to advance his kingdom and Christians need to be trained in using this. Hosiptality is frequently mentioned as a vital requirement for Christians in the New Testament. For example:
“Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.” Titus 1:8
“We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.” 3 John 8
Jim Scorer was a local surgeon in Hillingdon. He, his wife and family had the tradition of having an open tea in their home every Sunday afternoon. They were very relaxed happy times and many brought friends. Afterwards most of those present would go down to their local church evening service and visitors would often join them. The combination of loving caring and teaching is powerful.
A succession of Christian nurses and physios rented Flat 4 Sarah house in Commercial Road just behind the London Hospital They had an open tea every Sunday to which students and nurses brought biscuits, cakes, sandwiches as well as friends. There could be 30-40 people squashed into that flat. They were glorious times. I first met my wife, Rosy, in Flat 4! Afterwards most of us would process along Commercisal Road in a long crocodile chain in order to go to the teaching of the Rev. Dick Lucas at St. Helen’s Church, Bishopsgate. That combination of loving caring and Bible teaching helped many find a personal faith in the Lord Jesus.
It is not easy to be hospitable. It is costly. If a Christian’s home is untidy they will rarely invite others back for even a cup of tea! Yet Christians do need to be trained in thinking of new ways in which our hospitality can help struggling Christians or aid people find a saving faith.
Soon after I became a Christian in my first year at University we decided to think up ways to persuade others in our college about Jesus. We decided on a strategy. When the Freshers came up we visited them all and invited them to come for a tea for all the newcomers. This was not only a time for them to meet new friends, but at the end of the tea David Watson, then a curate at the Round Church, gave a brilliant talk and invited people to come to the sermons put on each Sunday evening to help students. Undergraduates all ate together in our college dining room but every Sunday dinner we decided not to sit with our Christian friends but to spread out. After the meal you could see groups going back to the Christians rooms for coffee. At some stage our guests were told,
“I am going down to the University Sermon this evening, would you like to come and see what goes on?”
Many did and as a result we saw sixty students become Christians in out last two years at college.
We desperately need to return to training all Christians for their ministry, helping them to think of new ways to represent Jesus Christ and introduce other people to the Lord.
BVP
