LESSON FOUR
THE PASTOR'S TRAINING

Introduction

•	There is no short cut to success.
  
•	A young perspective minister must be prepared to work hard, and to study much. 
 
•	He must be willing to devote his whole life to diligent study of God’s Word that he might become a workman who will not be ashamed!

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
II Timothy 2:15

Training Begins at Home

•	While sitting under the teaching of his pastor…

•	Never miss a service.

•	Always be punctual.

•	Always keep a teachable attitude.

•	Be willing to occupy a humble place in the church.

•	Do whatever his hands find to do willingly and with a spirit of humility.

•	Must learn from his pastor with humility and respect.

•	Seek out his pastor for spiritual counseling.

•	Promotion and responsibility should come slowly!

•	Maintain the same spirit towards his pastor, as he will expect in years to come.

•	If he cannot be taught, he disqualifies himself from being able to teach others.

•	Seek out his pastor for spiritual counseling.

Bible College

•	Means towards an end and not the end itself.

•	What does Bible College do for a minister?

•	Helps develop talents.
•	Helps students to know their calling.
•	Prepares and train students for lives of greater usefulness.

•	Examples from the Bible: Moses and Paul

Correspondence Bible Courses

•	Who could benefit from correspondence?

•	Married, young ministers who have a home
•	Young ministers with financial obligations

•	Pentecostal Bible Courses are preferred.

•	Make a timetable and follow faithfully.

•	Consult Pastor before enrolling.

School of Experience

•	Best source of training.

•	Knowledge and wisdom come through personal experience.

•	Acknowledge mistakes, profit from them, and don’t repeat them!

•	Take advantage of every opportunity to be active and gain experience.

A Pastor’s Training

•	His training is never complete!

•	When a young minister becomes a pastor, his training is only beginning.

•	No matter the experience, new experiences and problems will come almost daily.

•	Must be a constant student of the conditions in a changing world.

•	If he is unable to rightly divide the word of truth, he will be ashamed of his:
 
•	own poor workmanship
•	lack of knowledge 
•	inability

•	Much prayer, study and hard work can insure the minister that he need never be ashamed.

Dedication

•	God can use and does use training and ability when it is dedicated to Him

•	Two outstanding examples of this in the Bible:

•	Moses 
•	Paul 

Moses & Paul

•	Moses received all the learning the world had to offer in his day.

•	Still God had to teach him for another forty years out in the desert.

•	Paul was a learned man.

•	He sat at the feet of Gamaliel.

•	After his conversion went into Arabia where he learned many things from the Lord.

Knowledge

•	Education is never a liability when it is kept dedicated.

•	There is an explosion of knowledge in the world.

•	The wise pastor endeavors to prepare himself as best as possible.

Experience

•	Possibly the best source of training is personal experience.

•	What is learned through experience is certainly remembered.

•	After all, knowledge and wisdom come either through personal experience or the experience of others.

•	Much knowledge may be gained at a school.

Wisdom

•	Wisdom is knowing how to use knowledge.

•	Wisdom comes mainly either directly from God through inspiration, or personal experience.

•	Do everything as unto the Lord, faithfully and humbly, and willingly.

•	Must never be fearful of making mistakes.

•	He must be willing to acknowledge mistakes and profit from them.

Training is Never Completed

•	These new experiences and problems will be a process of learning.

•	Apart from this he must be a constant student of the conditions in a changing world.

•	Only as he applies himself as a student can he hope to keep abreast of current events.

•	His entire ministry will prove to be one continuous school of training.

•	This will never be completed until he is called to higher service.
LESSON FOUR
SELF HELP TEST

A. State FOUR ways in which a prospective minister may receive his training:

1. 	

2. 	

3. 	

4. 	

B. Explain the difference between "wisdom" and "knowledge" as far as the ministry is concerned.

C. Write a short paragraph explaining how a young minister may gain experience.

D. What should the minister's attitude be towards the possibility of making mistakes?