Two Things Pastors Need
Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 3:06PM Every year around this time, a small group of graduates from a D.Min. program gather in Wisconsin for a week. We typically arrive on Monday night, and spend Tuesday to Friday working through a book of the Bible with a commentator. It's one of the highlights of my year, and I prefer it to any conference I've ever attended.
I think I like it for two reasons.
One: we spend intense time in the Word. It's kind of a study week for future preaching, but I find myself refreshed as we spend a week digging into Scripture. I'm starved for this.
Second: we spend time together. Pastors need other pastors. I'm greatly encouraged as we spend time during the week. There's something about being with others in ministry, especially when you remove the pressures of performance and competition.
Pastors need both of these: time in the Word with others who love the Word, and time with other pastors who know what it's like. If you're a pastor, I pray that you'll experience this. It's harder to find than a conference (as good as conferences can be), and much more valuable.
Reader Comments (7)
By a "commentator" do you mean a commentary or a live teacher? I take it as the former. If so how do you choose the commentary? What level of commentary do you choose?This sounds like a great idea. I'd love to be a part of something like this.
I mean a live teacher. We've had Doug Moo and Craig Blomberg. This year it's George Guthrie, who wrote the NIV Application Commentary on Hebrews. We're spoiled.
Very cool. I can only dream of stuff like that! Can I go? :)
I wish. This one's closed to a particular D.Min. track. But I hope that this type of thing becomes much more common.
Those two dynamics are so important. I get the former (though I could use more! I love being in Scripture), but the latter is much more difficult. Any suggestions for a way to gather where resources for travel/eduction/etc. are not available?
Jamie:I've been wondering whether this could be reproducible at a local level. Pastors could get a retreat spot, and invite a local guest scholar to guide the discussion. I've talked about this with some pastors back home. Many scholars are excited about sharing their work. I think this could work, although it would take a bit of work.
That's a good idea. We've been developing an idea for years that is similar. Worth exploring. Thanks!