Adaptable and Altering

In the past few articles, we have been examining some important considerations for global training that need to be accounted for when choosing a method and material for the work. These are two final ones that I feel need to be mentioned. 

Is the training adaptable?

 One of the most reliable constants in the field of training church leaders is the element of variability! No matter where your work is taking place, you can rest assured that there will be a great variety of settings in which the training may need to be done. It is important to prepare for this predictable circumstance by using a material and method that can be adapted to numerous settings. We have touched on a few of these various settings in earlier articles about other considerations, but I think it is helpful to list them again here so that the overall sense of variability is clear.

Urban vs. rural

The contrast between urban and rural settings is one that often impacts the capacity of the men being trained, both in their education and in their time. We have already noted the variation of access to formal education that is often encountered in rural or developing settings, so there is no need to dwell much on it here. Only note that it is important to avoid materials and methods that use terminology, illustrations, or techniques that will not be well understood in contexts with lower education. We have also discussed the variation in the capacity of time for study that often results from this contrast in settings. Although biblical study will always require time and effort, it is important to train pastors with study methods that can bring effective results even when other vocations (such as subsistence farming) place significant limitations on the time they have available for it.

Modern vs. rustic   

Differing cultures and settings can present a wide range of access to tools for teaching and learning. In some contexts, pastors will own their own computers and utilize modern methods of digital presentation. However, in most settings around the developing world, tools such as these will not be widely available. This means that our training methods should not rely on them either, or we may give the impression that these modern tools are necessary to do the training. The best way to prepare pastors to transfer their knowledge along to others is to model a method they themselves can utilize. In our work at MissioSERVE, we limit ourselves to tools that are easily obtainable in the setting where the training is done. The training has literally been accomplished with just a stick and a patch of bare earth!

Group vs. individual

Anyone who has taught or trained others for any length of time is probably familiar with how the dynamic of training varies greatly according to the number of people being trained at one time. Most lesson plans or training programs are developed with some expectation of this dynamic. However, while any method of training will have a particular setting in which it is most effective, not every method is adaptable when other, less ideal settings are encountered. It is important to consider a training method that can be useful in any context, whether it be a large group, a small group, or a one-on-one setting. 

Days vs. hours

Some training methods, like the one we utilize most at MissioSERVE[1], follow the format of a concentrated workshop, in which 12 to 15 hours of training are conducted in only two or three days. Other methods involve even longer, weeks-long modules. However, we must expect variability in what format is most practical for the individuals involved in the training. In certain circumstances, the brothers may be better served with training that requires only a few hours at a time, like a single weeknight, or a Saturday morning.  Therefore, it will be helpful to use materials and methods that are adaptable enough to still be effective in other formats.

Is the training life-altering in its effect?

This question comes at the end of our considerations for training global church leaders, but it should be at the top of our list in terms of its importance. While it may be true in some instances that “any training is better than no training at all,” this is not always the case. Training that does not instill a deep and abiding confidence in the Scriptures and a reverence for the supremacy of God’s intent in the text can lead to unhealthy perspectives on preaching and harmful practices in the local churches we are trying to strengthen. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we carefully consider whether the training we are providing is capable of shaping the minds of those we instruct and transforming their lives and ministries in their handling of the Word of God.

[1] Developed by Word Partners, wordpartners.org.