northwest baptist seminary VoLume 10 issue 2 apriL 2009 EVENtS YoU SHoULD KNoW aBoUt northwest BY DR. DaViD HoRita news Leadership – a Life-Long pursuit There is an age old argument as to whether people are born leaders or are taught to be leaders. Within the church world our discussions regarding this ancient question range from issues of genetics, to environment, to calling, to election. David Horita speaking at Convention 2008 emerging Leader’s Workshop apriL 23-25 (at ConVention) smarter famiLies Canada ConferenCe may 8, 9 addiCtions and reCoVery ConferenCe June 26, 27 CheCk the northWest Website for a List of other eVents WWW.nbseminary.Com We seemingly enjoy the self flagellation of telling ourselves that our ministry leaders do not understand enough hermeneutics, know enough theology, have enough experience, demonstrate enough wisdom, and practice enough business acumen. In short, whether we were born as leaders or were taught leadership, none of us are good enough at what we do. Unfortunately, I think that is probably an accurate assessment of me. No doubt some of you are cheering at this point, pleased that I finally realized the truth that has been quite evident to any of you who have the misfortune of dealing with me on a regular basis. Since this is the Northwest News, likely it is important that I now confess that I am not a graduate of Northwest Baptist Seminary. I have served on the Board of Governors and have enjoyed teaching at Northwest Baptist Theological College, but my lack of wisdom, acumen, theology and hermeneutical skills are really the fault of another institution. Thus, you can place the blame somewhere else. CoNtiNUED oN paGE 2 inVestment in Leadership deVeLopment BY CoLiN VaN DER KUUR, NBS aLUmNi D. miN. 2009, m.DiV. 1996 At Kinnaird Park Community Church, we believe that our mission is to help all people grow into a Life Designed by God. Our desire is the same as many churches in our FEBBC/Y to see an “unforgettable God-honouring impact”. Many times when I think of what a truly “God-honouring impact” that affects “all people” will require, I am faced with a strong reality check. How can I reach out to the ESL students at our local college? How can I reach out to the high schools? Our local unions? Our seniors? The families affected by job loss or job reduction in my community? About two months after becoming a lead pastor of KPCC, I realized that there is no way that I can accomplish all of Christ’s heart in Castlegar. I am not talented enough and I don’t have CoNtiNUED oN paGE 3 A Division of Northwest Baptist Theological College A Member of ACTS Seminaries of Trinity Western University 7600 Glover Road, Langley, BC Canada V2Y 1Y1 | tel: 604.888.7592 | fax: 604.637.3212 | e-mail: admin@nbseminary.com | www.nbseminary.com life-changing ministry leadership development northwest news Larry Perkins, Ph.D. PRESIDENT’S COLUMN Your Leadership – a CommunitY prioritY We often consider leadership to be a rather singular journey. “It’s lonely at the top,” some complain. Or the pioneer navigating unexplored territory may capture our leadership vision. In reality, leaders flourish and function in community. The graphic representation of the church as a body, whose head is Christ, expresses this essential relationship between leader and community. Both elements – leader and community – derive significant benefit from this linkage. The community receives care, protection, and direction through its leadership. Conversely, leaders are empowered, enriched, and fulfilled as the community flourishes. When this mutual relationship finds roots, both community and leader experience significant blessing. The health of a church community is directly related to the growth and development of leadership. Paul, when applying the analogy of the body as a picture of a church community, recognized that the whole body suffers when one member is dysfunctional. The body’s pain and distortion is compounded when human leaders exercise deficient leadership or simply fail. It is in the best interests of the local church to ensure that its ministry leaders continue to be engaged passionately and competently. One of the best ways churches can achieve this is through fair, annual, leadership evaluation. Now, undoubtedly some church leaders have had very bad experiences with evaluation processes. Too frequently these processes occur without adequate thought, using poorly developed means, and for the purpose of dismissing the leader. No wonder the very hint of an evaluation causes CoNtiNUED oN paGE 6 Kent interviewing Shawn Barden and Colin van der Kuur at convention 2008 Leadership – a Life-Long pursuit BY DaViD HoRita …CoNtiNUED fRom paGE 1 That is the good news. The bad news is that directing blame at anybody or any school is simply wasting time that could be better spent addressing our common need to become better at what we do. In saying this, I am not saying that we have a low caliber of leader within our family of churches. Rather, I am hoping that most of us have realized that learning to be a high quality leader needs to be a lifetime pursuit. Becoming the kind of leader that Jesus calls us to be requires a long journey of character maturation, skill development, spiritual passion, and obedient service. It is unrealistic and folly to expect all of these things to be the result of any degree program or any in-house training apparatus. Instead, the desire to grow in church leadership is facilitated by an intentional partnership between our schools, our churches, and our current leaders. In Noel Tichy’s book The Leadership Engine, he spends an entire chapter on the critical necessity of having a teachable culture in organizations that desire leaders. Tichy goes as far as saying that “Teaching is at the heart of leading. In fact, it is through teaching that leaders lead others.” I would add that leaders must first be teachable, and have an insatiable desire to learn. Leadership is an innate ability. Leadership is a learned skill. Leadership is taught in classrooms and books. Leadership can only be acquired in the crucible of experience. These are all true statements to varying levels for each person. What they have in common is the fundamental belief that leadership merit badges are lifetime achievement awards – not single season trophies. After two years in my role as Regional Director I frequently get asked whether or not I Iike the role and what I have learned about our churches. What I “like” is simple: people and churches consumed with a love of Jesus and his church. What have I learned? Every day I relearn the critical lesson that the health and effectiveness of our churches is directly proportional to the quality of our leaders. High quality spiritual leadership is not only necessary, it is non-negotiable. This applies to pastoral leaders to church boards, board chairman, and individual ministry leaders. As a Fellowship we have a vision of reaching our region for Jesus Christ by leveraging the collective potential of our churches. That potential will only be reached if we grow together as a learning leadership community. I have read many books about leadership. Some say we are born as leaders; some say we are taught. Frankly, I don’t care. What I know is this: I have a long way to go in growing as a leader in the church of Jesus Christ. I am not yet good enough at what I do. for more information and stories pLease broWse our Website WWW.nbseminary.Com Page 2 northwest news inVestment BY CoLiN VaN DER KUUR …CoNtiNUED fRom paGE 1 enough time to complete what Christ wants our church to be. That is why every year I grow older investment in leadership development becomes far more significant to me. Our church developed a reputation for seeking out and responding to opportunity as we moved into two separate schools in four years while making a profit on the way and becoming a church of the community. However, I believe that just as significant as this change in location and transformation of ministry has been the opportunity of training leaders that is offered through Northwest. Even though Castlegar is rather removed, we have discovered a willing partner to design or provide programs that significantly enhances our local ministry. Let me give you two examples: Eight years ago we were concerned for the ESL students that come into our area. We felt that these international students afforded us the opportunity and responsibility to reach borders of Castlegar and into world. We didn’t have the ability or resources to minister to these people, but God answered prayers. A young man, Jarrod developed a heart for and ministry to ESL students. We encouraged him to connect with Mark Naylor from Northwest and offered to support him in a partnership of training and ministry. I believe that others need to be challenged with similar training and experience in cross-cultural issues to develop churches and leaders that are equipped for multi-cultural ministry. In the same way, because of the YLTP program, we were able to target a young man from our congregation and encourage him to pursue this track. Over the last two years, Matt is growing into an amazing, godly, kid-inspiring youth leader that is a catalyst for many youth “Growing into Life” in Castlegar. By the way, any church reading this blurb looking for a youth pastor does not have permission to try and steal him from our church. Our church has been enriched through the contributions of these two men. Personally, I have discovered that being part of the development and training of these young men as they pursue God’s calling upon their lives is one of my greatest ministry joys. student progress seminary update Jeffrey & Ashley Thomas were interviewed in the September 2004 issue of Northwest News as new enrollees in the Master of Theological Studies program at Northwest/ACTS. This April, Jeff will be graduating. He writes: Fellowship Family, When I peer into my past I inevitably ask, how have I changed? The answers I get are often as unsettling as they are gratifying. For instance, since high school I notice that I am far less exuberant or boisterous. Some people may take this as a sign of maturation but I tend to look at it as having been eroded. Considering my formative time at Northwest I would highlight two such changes, one professional, one personal and both gratifying. Professionally, I believe that I have found my niche. I believe God has given me a reasonable giftedness for understanding and responding to cultures and religions that differ from my own. With this I hope to engage in the apostolate to Muslim’s, likely spending some time overseas. Personally I believe that I am a sturdier disciple, that I have a keener mind for the intricacies of truth, and that my marriage has been fortified through these years at Northwest. I know of the difficulties that life brings and how ministry and academic life can assail a marriage relationship. But in all these “trials of many kinds” God has proven Himself faithful. I am grateful for the staff of Northwest and ACTS. They have been a tremendous boon in both these areas and I trust God will continue to use them to point the next generation towards his goodness and truth. Jeffrey Thomas Page 3 yLtp intern Matt Fontes CLtp intern Jarrod Haas The church’s commitment to my growth as a leader is inspiring, because I now realize how indispensable the youth Leadership training program (YLTP) has been for my maturation as a youth pastor. Over the last five semesters I have been equipped to better serve the Lord and others while my spiritual health has been fortified. The first year of the program has provided me with practical and specific youth ministry development, and the second has enabled me to branch out in different fields of study in order to cultivate holistic learning. This has been vital for my emergence as a Christian leader in a youth ministry context. Any leadership giftings that I may have possessed would not have, I believe, been able to thrive without the kind of focused training I have received. Additionally, due to KPCC’s financial support, I have been privileged to have most of my educational expenses satisfied. This has clearly prevented a great deal of stress from overwhelming me—stress that is common to most students. Leadership training programs of this nature ultimately end up being a benefit for the whole church. Each ministry is blessed through a strengthened leadership core. Above all, I believe God is honoured through leadership development, and when glory is directed to Him we are fulfilling our purpose as the body of Christ. Without hesitation, I can say that the Cross-Cultural Leadership training program (CLTP) at NBS has been one of the single most beneficial experiences in my development as a ministry leader. I don’t think I can emphasize enough that this experience has been deeply relevant for all aspects of my future ministry. In the first place, the CLTP has given me much deeper insight into the process of building relationships, not only cross-culturally, but in any situation where differences in thinking require ‘bridging’ (e.g. between younger and older generations). Secondly, the CLTP has given me the tools necessary to enter into and understand what is undoubtedly one of the most significant Christian discussions of our time, namely, that of culture and the church. The influence of the Emerging church, Mark Driscoll’s Mars Hill, and increasing global and Canadian multiculturalism serve to underscore the importance of being knowledgeable about this issue. Thirdly, the CLTP has greatly deepened my understanding of and passion to fulfill the Great Commission. There is, of course, no task more significant than this! The support and training I have received from Kinnaird Park Community Church, Mark Naylor, and NBS has been outstanding in bringing this education together. At the risk of sounding like an advertisement, I would recommend that anyone entering Christian leadership seriously consider the CLTP track, whether for a future in national or international ministry. northwest news exeCutive CertifiCate in ChiLdren’s ministrY by Nikki Lanigan Years ago, my co-worker overseeing the Preschool Department, put up a sign reading, “First I learn to love my teacher. Then I learn to love my teacher’s God.” Though one may debate the statement’s theology, one thing is clear – children often base their understanding of God on the relationships they have with people who profess to believe in Him. Hence, the development of the Children’s Ministry leader is imperative to church health. Does the leader have relationships with children that draw them closer to God, or push them further away? Do their relationships with volunteers offer enrichment, encouragement and training? With parents, are they able to speak truth into the life of the family? But more than all this, have they created a learning atmosphere that captivates a child’s heart, soul, and mind for actively building a relationship with God? Children’s Ministry leadership is not easy. And finding excellent training in CM can be even more difficult. That is why the Centre for ministry excellence is creating a 12 credit Executive Certificate in Children’s Ministry. This specialization certificate is being funded by Northwest Baptist Seminary and is being shaped entirely by people with experience as Children’s Pastors. Because they care deeply for this ministry they will ensure that students enrolled in this program are trained to maximum ministry impact, particluarly in specialty areas such as the spiritual development of a child, creative teaching approaches and the training of volunteers as well as areas like theology, hermeneutics, leadership and communication. Our goal is to offer the first course in the certificate this fall. The specialization can be taken at a diploma, undergrad or graduate level. If you are interested in this exciting learning opportunity, please contact me. photo from mark here Mark working with local language assistants in the translation of the Scriptures into their language aLumni serVing through bibLe transLation BY maRK NaYLoR, NBS m.DiV. 1984 In order to serve the Lord Jesus, we must serve his followers. Strengthening local expressions of the church that Jesus has been building since his ascension is an expression of committment, love and worship. Part of my ministry in the last couple of decades has been the preparation of a Bible translation for the Sindhi people of Pakistan. Not only is this work essential to introduce Sindhi Muslims to Jesus, but it also provides the foundational text through which new believers can engage Scripture and shape their lives to God’s will. The church in the Sindh is taking root through the form of household churches; families who worship, learn and are challenged because God speaks to them in their own language. Karin (the names used in this article are pseudonyms) was a young Sindhi woman who learned to read as an adult with the help of a missionary. When asked what her favorite book was, she replied, “The New Testament! It is written in simple and clear Sindhi so that I can understand it.” The meaning-based Sindhi translation is crafted for clarity so that a Sindhi with a grade six education can read it with ease. Nathaniel is the head of a household church. During one of my trips to Pakistan for translation work, he visited our office with his 4 year old son. “David,” he said to his son, “Tell these people the story of Zacchaeus and Jesus.” David stood up and recited the story he had learned. The word of God in Sindhi is central to their home and it is read regularly, thus shaping not only the adults, but the next generation. During a recent visit to Nathaniel’s home, his sister brought out a “Bridge tract” in Sindhi, which consists of a number of verses from the Sindhi Bible along with simple illustrations. “This is our family’s booklet,” she said laughing. “It has been so influential in introducing us to Jesus.” Aided by Nathaniel’s wife, she then proceeded to quote many of the verses that have shaped her faith. This would not have been possible apart from the work of Bible translation. Church growth in the Sindh has predominately been among Hindu-background believers. Unfortunately, they do not have a Bible translation suitable for them because the current Sindhi translation uses Muslim religious terminology that they find offensive. Instead, an Urdu version is read out that the majority of the congregation finds difficult, if not impossible, to understand. The passage is then translated extemporaneously by the speaker into their mother tongue. Every time this occurs it re-emphasizes the foreignness of the message. We are currently working on a Hindu Sindhi translation that will address this need. We are convinced that one of the most important ways to serve followers of Christ is to provide them with Scripture through which God speaks clearly and in their own language. Page 4 northwest news Heart For Ministry : Leadership assessment and a Life of CaLLing by Dr. Lyle Schrag Nikki and Lyle proudly displaying the new Heart for Ministry workbook – hot off the press Leadership deVeLopment BY DR. LYLE SCHRaG Dan Reiland wrote, “there are three things we all know and agree on about the local church. First, it is God’s chosen vehicle of redemption through Jesus Christ. Second, our chief resource is a volunteer army of believers. Third, it is messy.” The second point of agreement1 could be expanded to read: the church is God’s chosen vehicle to raise up leaders among his army of believers. That’s a reflection of the basic mission stated in Ephesians for the church to “…prepare God’s people for works of service…”2 It’s in the church that people discover their God-given purpose in life and grow the skill to fulfill God’s purpose in service. Unfortunately, the matter of growth into leadership can be a messy thing. Over the last year, as teams from the Ministry Centre have conducted consultations with our regional churches, we have discovered that one of the top five recurring needs is finding a way to develop new leaders. It’s not that the potential doesn’t exist. The Leadership Network estimates that an average church of 100 will have anywhere from 30 to 60 serving volunteers. The problem isn’t a matter of math, but of focus where Church leaders make a culture of service into a matter of personal growth and discovery. God blessed leaders in the local church with the task of matching people with God’s calling. But, as one minister has challenged: “Are we just mentally on board with the principles of Biblical equipping, or does our belief cross the line of conviction that results in action?”3 That’s a challenge for church leaders they need not face alone. The Fellowship Centre for Leadership Development has been developing instruments for church leaders to sharpen the focus of leadership growth. The Heart for Ministry course was developed for church leaders to guide emerging leaders to discern God’s call and plan for a future ministry. Since 2005, the Heart for Ministry has been used by over 100 people in over 30 congregations. In 2009, the latest edition of the Heart for Ministry, both student and mentor edition, has been printed for churches to use [see sidebar.] While the Heart for Ministry helps people who are curious about their future to find focus, we have added the Ministry Assessment Process [MAP] to help serious emerging leaders make a life transition into mature ministry. Drawing lessons from the Church Planter’s Assessment Centre, MAP adds a supportive voice for emerging leaders to discover fitness and future in ministry. This year, six Fellowship pastors nominated six emerging leaders who are eager to pursue ministry to be the first to test the process. During the April Convention, these pastors and leaders will meet with trained assessors to discern their next steps to ministry. This is our ongoing partnership to empower God’s people into fruitful ministry. 3 Charlene Armitage, Director of Equipping, Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, Liberty, Missouri This book is intended to help emerging leaders compose a statement of personal mission through 12 sessions of mentored exploration. It combines reading and writing assignments, personal assessments, and shared reflection as the core building blocks to understand the nature of God’s calling and identify a future in ministry. It enables emerging leaders to understand the Biblical elements of God’s call, identify their personal fitness for ministry, and prepare a future plan for ministry that is affirmed by their social base – family and fellowship. introduCing the Cooperative master of divinitY by Dr. Kent Anderson Northwest is pleased to offer a cooperative Master of Divinity program for individuals looking for an affordable “hands-on” approach to ministry leadership development. The M.Div, our most comprehensive program, is now available in an accessible and achievable plan that allows a student to work out his or her studies as an employed intern in a local congregation under the direction of an experienced and competent pastoral mentor. The program requires the student to complete two courses each semester – one modular class on campus and another course online. Additionally, the student must complete a significant mentored project each year. This fouryear program allows the student to sustain a meaningful ministry alongside their studies without ever having to uproot their family and move to Langley. Our financial aid program ensures that qualifying students pay just one-third of their tuition. This new program offers churches and pastors a tremendous way to participate in the shaping of their best emerging leaders. Contact Kent Anderson, NBS Dean, for more information. Page 5 1 Dan Reiland, Leading Volunteers, The Pastor’s Coach [enewsletter, January 2005] 2 Ephesians 4:12 northwest news internationaL Leadership deVeLopment BY RoB BRYNjoLfSoN, NBtC BRE 1986 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN CoNtiNUED fRom paGE 6 finanCiaL opportunities 2009 BY LaRRY pERKiNS, pH. D. Investing in leadership development: Children’s Ministry Leadership Training Program development has started under the guidance of Nikki Lanigan (see page 4 for more details). Can there be a more significant investment in leadership training than equipping people to shape the spiritual development of children. Assisting families and parents to share Christ’s love and introduce their children to Jesus fits right in with His agenda. Northwest is seeking to raise $5,000 to cover initial program development and implementation costs. Perhaps this is a passion that you have and one you would be willing to invest in. many ministry leaders to shudder and wonder what the real agenda is. Good evaluation is an opportunity to celebrate excellent work, recognize effective leadership, acknowledge progress, and set the stage for personal and ministry growth. Healthy leaders and healthy churches are the results. How can this lofty outcome be achieved? • • The church board has to take the lead. The leader’s current position description forms the basis for the review, eliminating inappropriate and unfair evaluation based upon undisclosed expectations. Meet first with the leader, pray together for God’s wisdom, gain agreement on the process, and receive the leader’s evaluation of his work. Above all the review should help the leader identify specific areas for growth. Investment in continued training contributes to the church’s health. Do it regularly and follow a consistent process. Stepping onto the NBTC/NBS campus in South Vancouver in 1982 began an expansion of my ecclesiological horizons broadening my appreciation for the body of Christ. Discovering that the Church was much bigger than I thought was like gulping in fresh air after a long time under water. Since then the Lord took me on a pilgrimage of arm-in-arm service with people from diverse evangelical traditions, first, in service as a missionary with WEC International ( an interdenominational faith mission) and now seconded to the World Evangelical Alliance as the dean of the WEA Leadership Institute. I would not be surprised if you exclaimed, “not another leadership institute!” Many National Alliances (sometimes called Associations or Fellowships, like the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada) struggle in realizing their strategic role as a platform for Evangelical voice and action. There is little understanding of associations and their function. Although they’ve come a long way, most of our 128 member Evangelical Alliances are still not poised to make a significant kingdom impact in their countries and regions. Without greater training, these networks will not begin to achieve their transformational ministry potential as strong associations mindful of their representative and proactive role in society. We know that effective training of these alliance leaders around the world will have a multiplying effect in the service to the Kingdom of God, the proclamation of the Gospel, and the transformation of nations. As Dean of the Leadership Institute, I am responsible to chart the course ahead, gather quality resource people and create courseware that can be delivered in many regions and in five or more languages, ensuring that our training goals are effectively met. mount olive fellowship Church is a Korean Church in Maple Ridge planted on April 8, 2007. pastor James park (nbs m.div. 2006) writes, “Early morning prayer meeting during the weekdays is our ultimate source of our spiritual nourishment and the engine of our ministry. Our ministry focuses on not only Koreans but also all the non-believers in Maple Ridge and Greater Vancouver. We’re praying that many people of God would rise up as warriors for Jesus and complete the Great Commission that Jesus has given to all Christians. We serve • • • Our annual Operational Fund is entirely dedicated to leadership training and all of its varied forms. The economic climate creates severe challenges for us all as we seek to be good stewards of God’s resources. Perhaps you have never considered investing in leadership training for our churches. Your gift to Northwest would be an excellent, effective, productive way to get involved. This year our Operational Fund goal is $100,000. At this point we have received $11,780. We are thankful to God for your assistance. lunch for homeless people at Maple Ridge Salvation Army Caring Centre once a month and we do an annual short term mission trip for First Nations People at Lillooet, BC. We include missionaries in India, Yukon and Uzbekistan in our prayers and we are eager to share the financial burden on their shoulders with brotherly love in Christ Jesus. 7600 Glover Road, Langley, BC Canada V2Y 1Y1 tel: 604.888.7592 | fax: 604.637.3212 e-mail: admin@nbseminary.com | www.nbseminary.com A Division of Northwest Baptist Theological College A Member of ACTS Seminaries of Trinity Western University life-changing ministry leadership development The most important resources the church possesses are its people, especially its leaders. Churches that invest in and prioritize their development reap significant dividends. Competent, annual evaluations encourage and stimulate leaders to deepen and expand their ministry capacity. Through this means the community exercises good care for its spiritual leaders.