by Jeff Straub
Seminary professors who come to the classroom with missionary and pastoral experience can offer immense practical value to men preparing for ministry. I recently observed my fortieth anniversary of preaching the gospel. I began vocational ministry a few years later, in the fall of 1980, and spent a total of nineteen years in ministry in Canada: eleven as a supported missionary in Manitoba and then another eight years as a missionary-supporting pastor in southern Ontario. When I began to teach missions courses eight years ago, I determined to teach the classes so that both prospective missionaries and prospective pastors could benefit. I think that both the missionary and the supporting church need to think about the task of world evangelism deliberately and philosophically. Missionaries have only a few years to serve the Lord and churches have limited resources to devote to missions. Shouldn’t we use our time and money carefully to maximize our efforts? [Read more…]
At a time when our world seems desperate for effective leaders, the church has the opportunity to display Biblical leadership. From the individual leadership of one’s personal life, to the domestic leadership of family life, to the public leadership of ministry settings — at all levels and in all arenas, we must be Biblical leaders. Jesus taught His disciples a leadership style that contrasted markedly with the philosophy of His day. "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them" (Matthew 20:25). These words easily express the elements so frequently associated with leadership: position ("rulers"), power ("lord"), prestige ("great"), and privilege ("exercise authority"). Jesus quickly countered current thought: "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave" (Matthew 20:26, 27). Yes, Jesus described His model for leadership as a slave task! Join us on a journey to explore the only leadership model and style ordained by God. Welcome to the high and holy task of Biblical Slave Leadership.