In Reach

[Reynolds]

In the SBC today, it seems to me that outreach is being pushed to a point that In Reach is neglected. Has the emphasis so heavily shifted (due to declining numbers) to bringing people in the door that we are abandoning discipleship and service to the body?

 

[Rob_BW]

Should we add another agency to the SBC, one that focuses on discipleship? Or perhaps leverage the seminaries to assist Lifeway with a "meatier" discipleship program?

 

[Reynolds]

Should we add another agency to the SBC, one that focuses on discipleship? Or perhaps leverage the seminaries to assist Lifeway with a "meatier" discipleship program?

Might be a good idea.
From what I am told from more recent seminary grads, they are definitely not training shepherds. They are training theologians, psychologists, sociologists, but not shepherds.

 

[Salty]

Wouldn't that be one of the responsibilities of the Director of Missions?
With Assistance from the State Convention.

One other thing - Does a local church desire to be involved with such a ministry.?
Granted, they should, but if they show no interest, what then

 

[Reynolds]

Wouldn't that be one of the responsibilities of the Director of Missions?
With Assistance from the State Convention.

One other thing - Does a local church desire to be involved with such a ministry.?
Granted, they should, but if they show no interest, what then

Is it not the duty of the Pastor, Shepherd of the local Church to see that they fulfil their duty? In most cases, the pastor is failing to do his.
I don't see many "leaving the 99" to restore the one.

 

[Salty]

Is it not the duty of the Pastor, Shepherd of the local Church to see that they fulfil their duty? In most cases, the pastor is failing to do his.
I don't see many "leaving the 99" to restore the one.

fully agree with you
The DOM and State are there to assist
part of the reason - many pastors or Bi-vo

 

[Reynolds]

fully agree with you
The DOM and State are there to assist
part of the reason - many pastors or Bi-vo

From my observations, the Bi-vocational Pastors make better shepherds than the full time ones.

 

[Salty]

But they have a lot less time - esp if they are working a 40 hour job.

 

[Reynolds]

But they have a lot less time - esp if they are working a 40 hour job.

Yes, less time but more motivation to serve. The heart of a Shepherd is key. Time is merely an excuse. We have time to do what we want to do.

 

[Salty]

Yes, less time but more motivation to serve. The heart of a Shepherd is key. Time is merely an excuse. We have time to do what we want to do.

Disagree - maybe some can - and be very effective - others not so much. And yes, I have been bi-vo with a full time job - including when I was in the Army.

The trick is to make good use of the time. Sure some jobs you can study while on the job - ie security guard - others not so much.
But first a 40 hour job may take up to 50 hours when you consider travel time and lunch. If you only have Sun AM and Wed PM - that would be a bare minimum of 5-10 hours of study. You need a bare minimum of 5 hours sleep per night - figure 5 hours for church attendance. Of course other meals - figure about 45 minutes per meal, lets say 15 hours a week for required work around the house,
That leaves 26 hours a week for visitation, counseling, administration, other church activities, hospital visit, other meetings and not to mention family time.
Can it be done, yes - but everyone is not able.

 

[Reynolds]

Disagree - maybe some can - and be very effective - others not so much. And yes, I have been bi-vo with a full time job - including when I was in the Army.

The trick is to make good use of the time. Sure some jobs you can study while on the job - ie security guard - others not so much.
But first a 40 hour job may take up to 50 hours when you consider travel time and lunch. If you only have Sun AM and Wed PM - that would be a bare minimum of 5-10 hours of study. You need a bare minimum of 5 hours sleep per night - figure 5 hours for church attendance. Of course other meals - figure about 45 minutes per meal, lets say 15 hours a week for required work around the house,
That leaves 26 hours a week for visitation, counseling, administration, other church activities, hospital visit, other meetings and not to mention family time.
Can it be done, yes - but everyone is not able.

I am more talking about full time Pastors. I think Bi-vocational, despite their time constraints, seem to do better than most full time.

 

[Steven Yeadon]

Is it not the duty of the Pastor, Shepherd of the local Church to see that they fulfil their duty? In most cases, the pastor is failing to do his.
I don't see many "leaving the 99" to restore the one.

I totally get where you are coming from. I was at a church in Orlando where I felt I was starving to death as a lamb. The sermons were all about "relevant" topics and had little in the way of bible verses. I had to leave in the end because I needed spiritual food. The only church I frequented that did a good job feeding us the Word and warning us of sin, of teaching us to fear the consequences of wanton sin since it showed no real faith, while having approachable pastors able to readily give counsel about the hard stuff of life - is my current church.

 

[Reynolds]

This video got me thinking.