Blog Administrator, Author at GProCommission

April 18, 2017

A Third Way: Shifting the Paradigm of Formal Theological Education

by Rev. Don Allsman Dr. Ramesh Richard has articulated a startling challenge to the Lord’s Great Commission in our day: how to provide for the 95 percent of pastors who have not been trained for ministry. In a world that is becoming increasingly urban and poor, there needs to be mechanisms in place to train millions of pastors, elders, deacons, youth workers and church planters just to address the current situation. If revival were to explode in urban centers globally, the growth would be beyond our ability to respond. Current Formal/Traditional (FT) approaches are useful and helpful, but cannot meet […]

April 13, 2017

It’s All About Our Love Relationship With God

By Joe Handley As I reflect back on the GProCongress, I can’t forget the dynamic sharing in our Spiritual Engagement Track. The wisdom shared each day from several pastoral trainers and the interaction Q & A as well as post-workshop conversations each afternoon were very motivating. Among all of that, though, is one crucial piece that I want to emphasize in this first post-Congress blog from our track: It’s all about our Love Relationship with God! I know. I know. Many of you are thinking, “Of course, all of us already know that.” But, I would suggest otherwise. In […]

April 11, 2017

MARRIAGE AND MINISTRY: A REALITY CHECK

“How can a pastor nurture their marriage and family in the midst of the pressures of ministry?” This was one of the questions asked at the Global Proclamation Congress for Pastoral Trainers held in Bangkok last year (2016). It is a question that probably haunts more ministry couples than we care to admit. It is no secret that ministry can be extremely stressful, and the demands overwhelming. Ministry can demand a lot, if not all, of a pastor’s time. Pastors can end up becoming so busy with “God’s work” while neglecting their marriage and their family in the process. And […]

April 6, 2017

Return to the Word: Stirring Up a Second Reformation through Digital Technology

by Dr. Lloyd Estrada Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1398–1468) is credited with devising the techniques that led to the development of the modern printing press. The impact of the printing press was undeniable: cost of book production was reduced significantly, information was made available more easily to people, and knowledge was disseminated and stored in a more permanent and standard format. The Gutenberg Bible, completed and sold at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 1455, was one of the first printed literature that sparked the information revolution of the 14th and 15th centuries. This year, churches all over Europe are celebrating the Reformation […]

April 3, 2017

The Changing Landscape of Theological Education

by Reuben van Rensburg The landscape of theological education worldwide is changing rapidly and pastoral trainers need to be alert as they consider further studies, or recommend their trainees begin studying at tertiary level. I will divide this article into three sections, namely international, the African continent and the situation in South Africa. International It is clear that throughout the world the institutions which are evangelical and which remain faithful to the Scriptures are generally doing well, whereas those which hold to a liberal view are shrinking. Mary Ann Mueller, in her article Episcopal Seminaries Struggle to Survive, aptly […]

March 28, 2017

Welcome to the official GProCommission blog!

Welcome to the official GProCommission blog! We will feature insightful and encouraging articles, as well as podcasts and videos brought to you by credible pastoral training organizations from around the world. You’ll find our select authors and speakers well-versed in the various aspects of pastoral training. We hope together with them, through this blog, to serve you, the front-line pastoral leader and/or pastoral trainer, by offering encouragement, continuous education and best practices in the eight key tracks established during the Global Proclamation Congress for Pastoral Trainers, including: Biblical Engagement Theological Engagement Spiritual Engagement Missional Engagement Cultural Engagement Educational Engagement Obstacles […]

March 28, 2017

Elder, Encourage Thyself

by Chuck Gianotti Encouragement is a commodity in short supply. While not alone in needing this, a leader of God’s people more than others can readily relate to David’s experience: “David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1 Sam 30:6 NASB). Hopefully, this is not the elder’s usual experience, but there are times when the task seems overly daunting. The word translated “strengthen” in the NASB, is rendered in the KJV as […]