Leadership Training in Eurasia 2007-2012 Basic Training and Continuing Education for Pastors on the District Level

…and the disciples gave them to the crowds

Can you imagine serving a meal to 5,000 men plus women and children? That is what Jesus asked his disciples to do in Matthew 14 and John 6. They were in a remote place along the coast of the Sea of Galilee far from any big city, café, or store. Jesus had been healing the sick and teaching all who were gathered there. It was getting late, and the people were hungry. The disciples asked Jesus to send the crowds away. Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16.) John 6:9 tells us, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish.” “Taking the five loaves and two fish Jesus looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves. Jesus gave them to his disciples and the disciples gave them to the crowds. They all ate until they were full, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.” (Matthew 14:19-21.)

The United Methodist Church has over 100 churches in the Eurasia Area from eight countries and eleven time zones. Churches are in large cities and small towns. God is asking us to feed our people physical food and, more importantly, to give them the “Bread of Life.” Notice that Jesus told the disciples, “You give them something to eat.” Through Pastors’ Continuing Education and Lay Leadership Training, we will learn how to be teaching and experiencing the “Bread of Life” through Bible Study, evangelism, worship, and Sunday School classes based on our Christian Beliefs in the context of the Orthodox world in which most of the local churches minister. Our goal is that all people will know the Living God and receive God’s blessings through the Bread of Life.

These Pastors’ Continuing Education events and Lay Leadership Training events are very important as we hear God’s call to nurture and grow the church.

In the districts

These events will take place on the district level to connect pastors and lay leaders working in similar contexts and to provide opportunities for follow up and accountability.

Continuing education is mandatory for pastors under appointment. There are typically two seminars, Tuesday-Thursday, every year. In most cases, church council members and other lay leaders will be invited. Each district throughout the Eurasia Area will be doing the same event titles, but the order of study may vary due to the needs of each individual district.

Lay Leader Training is a series of weekend events over two years. Each seminar is open for individual participation, and certificates will be given upon completion of each event. Those who participate in the full series, including reading and writing assignments, will be given a Diploma and will be eligible to become Lay Speakers.

Coordination

There will be a volunteer District Coordinator of Education in each district, pastor or lay, assigned by the District Superintendent. The responsibility of the district director is to learn about the needs in the district, plan events in cooperation with the district superintendent, and be in contact with the Area Office about topics, leaders, teachers, prayer support, resources, and books to be used. The Area Directors of Education assist in planning and, if needed, in implementation, and coordinate contacts between guest teachers and the district.

Finances

Travel, food, and lodging at pastors’ continuing education events are normally provided for by the local churches, either directly or coordinated through the district. In vast districts travel support will be provided. The Area Office and international supporters will provide for event leadership, teachers, and certain books and other resources.

Where is the boy?

Jesus performed the wonderful miracle mentioned earlier when a boy shared his “five barley loaves and two fish.” Some of us have the educational skills that are needed in Eurasia. Some of us cannot go there ourselves, but we can share our financial resources. All of us can share in prayer ministry for our church in Eurasia. We give what we have to Jesus; he will give it to his disciples in Eurasia, and the disciples will give it to the crowds.

If you are interested in participating in this program, please contact any of the following people:

• Jim Athearn, Consultant, Russia Initiative, jimathearn@gmail.com, (540) 662-2066
• Patrick Whaley, Sasha Ministry, sashaministry@gmail.com, 901-681-0623
• Lena Kim, Executive Director of Education, kim-lena@mail.ru
  
• Administrative Director of Education, Katya Kim, education@umc-eurasia.ru

  If you wish to support this program financially, please make your check payable to the General Board of Global Ministries. Write on the check Advance #11510-A, “Edu 2007” and (optional) the name of the receiving district in Eurasia. (See Russia Initiative Funds Transmittal Guidelines, Line #2, available at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/work/initiatives/russia/).Send contribution to: General Board of Global Ministries

  Advance GCFA

  P. O. Box 9068 GPO

  New York, NY 10087-9068

  Continuing Education for United Methodist Pastors in Eurasia 2007-2012

  The comprehensive plan for Continuing Education for United Methodist pastors in Eurasia has 8 educational areas. The annual seminars need to be planned so that they cover all eight areas within a four-year period. A seminar can combine topics from more than one area, and the order in which the seminars are held may depend on the needs of the district and on which teachers are available. The topics within each area may be revised and updated upon request and according to needs. The District Superintendent and the District Coordinator of Education annually submit a plan for the following 2-3 years for approval by the Bishop and the Area Directors of Education.

  1. How can I deepen my biblical insight?

  “United Methodists share with other Christians the conviction that Scripture is the primary source and criterion for Christian doctrine. Through Scripture the living Christ meets us in the experience of redeeming grace. We are convinced that Jesus Christ is the living Word of God in our midst whom we trust in life and death.” (From “Our Theological Task” in The Book of Discipline, NEBoD 2005 ¶ 104, page 86)

• 1.1 The Bible as my personal companion and main resource. Informational and formational reading
• 1.2 Different learning methods of all ages and how to teach the Bible using a variety
• 1.3 Biblical computer programs, commentaries, Bible dictionaries, maps and other resources that will enhance personal knowledge and Biblical teaching
• 1.4 The authority of the Bible in today’s world
• 1.5 Exegesis of a certain book or passages in the Bible

  2. How can I grow as a pastor?

  “Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (Paul to a young pastor in 1 Timothy 4:14-16.)

• 2.1 Spiritual disciplines and my personal sanctification
• 2.2 What are my gifts and my skills, and how do I develop them?
• 2.3 How can I become a better teacher and preacher?
• 2.4 The development of worship in different settings and on different occasions
• 2.5 How can I become a better leader and visionary?
• 2.6 Priorities and use of time, vacation planning and burnout prevention
• 2.7 Delegation and equipment of lay leaders and future pastors

  3.The mission of The United Methodist Church

  “The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. We make disciples as we

• proclaim the gospel, seek, welcome, and gather persons into the body of Christ;
• lead persons to commit their lives to God through baptism by water and the Spirit and profession of faith in Jesus Christ;
• nurture persons in Christian living through worship, the sacraments, spiritual disciplines, and other means of grace, such as Wesley’s Christian conferencing;
• send persons into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the stranger, freeing the oppressed, being and becoming a compassionate, caring presence, and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel;
• continue the mission of seeking, welcoming, and gathering persons into the community of the body of Christ.” (The Book of Discipline, NEBoD 2005 ¶¶ 120 and 122)

   

• 3.1 The local church as the most significant arena for disciple making
• 3.2 Church planting and church development
• 3.3 Strategic planning
• 3.4 Updating of evangelism methods and ministry
• 3.5 Worship – the centerpiece of the church
• 3.6 Fellowship – the welcoming and healing atmosphere of the church
• 3.7 Nurturing Christian discipleship through small groups and other ministry.
• 3.8 Equipping and sending Christians to serve in the world

   

  4. What are the best practices today?

  We have a lot to learn from the past. But faithful ministry does not mean that we continue to do what we always have done. To be faithful to God means to listen to the needs of people of today, and communicate the Gospel in ways they can perceive. People in our communities are also different and need different kinds of ministries. Therefore we need to learn from one another and others about good and successful ministries.

   

• 4.1 Different types of small groups for different needs and purposes
• 4.2 Sunday School for children and adults
• 4.3 Christian camps for children, youth and adults
• 4.4 Bible study methods and curricula
• 4.5 Prayer ministry
• 4.6 Faith-sharing
• 4.7 Ministry among addicted persons and their families
• 4.8 Social ministry and ministry in other institutions
• 4.9 Stewardship, tithing and fund raising
• 4.10 Communication and technology
• 4.11 Fine Arts as a help in ministry
• 4.12 Music in ministry
• 4.13 Planning of worship and preaching

  5. How can church administration be done in a good way?

  A pastor does not need to know everything and should not do everything himself or herself, but it is always the duty of the pastor “to be the administrative officer of the local church and to assure that the organizational concerns of the congregation are adequately provided for.” (From “Responsibilities and Duties of Elders and Licensed Pastors” in The Book of Discipline, NEBoD 2005 ¶ 340.3a)

• 5.1 How to organize and administrate a local church effectively
• 5.2 Selection and education of church councils, committees and individual leaders
• 5.3 Records and archives
• 5.4 Financial planning
• 5.5 Book keeping, transparency and auditing
• 5.6 National laws and local regulations

  6. How can I get help and help others in difficult times?

  Often we don’t know how to behave and what to say to people who pass through difficult times, such as the death of a friend or family member, long term illness, personal conflicts, divorce, unemployment, loneliness, etc. Pastors themselves get into crises at some point in life. Where is God in all this? How can our faith help us? How can we help others?

• 6.1 Counseling in a Psychological and Biblical perspective
• 6.2 Counseling relationship to Christian ethics and sanctification
• 6.3 Counseling among friends and cases for experts
• 6.4. Loss and grieving process
• 6.5 Counseling in different age levels
• 6.6 Conflicts among friends, in the family, and in the church
• 6.7 Family matters
• 6.8 Other difficult matters

  7. What does it mean that I am a United Methodist pastor?

  For a United Methodist pastor it is important to know the background of the church and what it stands for today, and to understand his or her obligations and calling as a pastor. Our deepest identity is in Jesus Christ, but he had a purpose when he led us to The United Methodist Church and called us to be one of its pastors.

• 7.1 What made the Methodist movement such a strong instrument in God’s hand?
• 7.2 Doctrinal standards and our theological task (Cf. The Book of Discipline, NEBoD ¶¶ 101-104)
• 7.3 The Social Creed and Social Principles
• 7.4 United Methodist polity and practice
• 7.5 The obligations and freedoms of a United Methodist pastor

  8. How do I relate to people of other faiths and confessions?

  Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova have been formed by the Orthodox culture, Central Asia to a great deal by Islam. At the same time many people are more influenced by atheistic philosophy in its communist, capitalistic or Western materialistic versions. How can we understand people we meet, and how can we carry out our mission in these contexts?

• 8.1 Other religions
• 8.2 Cults and sects
• 8.3 Orthodox faith and culture
• 8.4 Protestantism in Eurasia
• 8.5 Ecumenical matters
• 8.6 Secularism as philosophy and life style<
• 8.7 Christian faith and the fine arts