Dependency versus sustainability in missions in the Russian and African contexts

All too often in missions’ history the unfortunate pattern has been to establish dependent, rather than independent, seminaries and churches that have had to struggle mightily to arrive at a point of self-sufficiency. Given this tendency, how can missionaries best foster indigenous churches, schools, and ministries that will become self-sustaining? Best practices in overcoming dependency include instruction in stewardship, bi-vocational ministry, and micro-enterprise development. Russian and African case studies of dependency and steps toward self-sustaining church life are examined. The article concludes with the details of a demonstration greenhouse project at six sites in Russia and Ukraine.

Intern and congregant perceptions of the impact of a United Methodist ministry internship program in rural Missouri

This qualitative study examines a ministry internship program at a rural regional university in Missouri. The study sought to determine the impact of the internship on both interns in the program and on congregants in churches served by the program. Guided by the lens of self-efficacy as identified originally by Bandura (1977), the researcher conducted interviews, focus groups, and examined archival data to ascertain impact. Completed research helped identify eight areas of impact. The internship allowed for support and transformation of both interns and congregants throughout its duration. Interns were able to gain a realistic understanding of the ministry field. Interns were able to reflect on their practice through differential outcomes. Interns were able to ascertain a potential calling to vocational ministry. Congregants reported an influx of new ideas into their churches. Rural churches were able to stay open. Many interns went on to become young vocational ministers within the United Methodist Church. Both congregants and interns reported the internship allowed them to come closer to God.

Is the Pastoral Ministry Bad for One’s Spiritual Health?

It was a universal conviction among the leaders of the ancient church that vocational ministry is attended by certain spiritual hazards that threaten to undo the very soul of the minister. This notion is revived in William Paley’s 1795 sermon, “Dangers Incidental to the Clerical Character.” The pastoral ministry, he warns, is comprised of “dangers inherent to the very nature of our profession.” In this ordination sermon, Paley not only identifies certain spiritual hazards, but he traces their roots to the unique context and responsibilities of daily ministry. A close reading of Paley’s sermon highlights its clear relevance to ministers in the twenty-first century, who, like all ministers throughout the history of the church, are constantly exposed to the spiritual dangers lurking in ministry itself. Such a close reading also reveals practical means by which today’s minister can be constantly vigilant to overcome these dangers.

Adversity in pastoral leadership: Are pastors leaving the ministry in record numbers, and if so, why?

As churches in the West grapple with the rising tide of secularism, post-modernism and individualised spirituality, the leaders of those churches become casualties of these macro-environmental factors. Statistics show that three pastors in North America leave the vocational ministry every day to move into a different career path. This ongoing loss of leadership must prove detrimental for churches, which in turn are confronting declining attendance figures, declining income and low volunteerism from the membership. It would seem that pastoral leadership is vital to the health and sustenance of the church, and yet churches all over North America are losing pastoral leadership on a daily basis. This article attempts, through the use of Osmer�s heuristic, to review why it is that pastors are leaving the ministry and what might be done to stem that tide. A missional ontology in contrast to a Christendom ontology together with a review of workplace adversity and the Scriptural data on suffering in the ministry are developed for the reader as potential solutions to stem the tide.

Models of Ministry Internship for Colleges and Seminaries

Schools preparing students for vocational ministry have used a variety of models to situate students in fieldwork placements. This article will categorize such designs by their relationship to the academic setting as well as by their duration. Some of the most common models of ministry placements, including their advantages and disadvantages, will be discussed along with detailed considerations concerning evaluation and selection. Two additional considerations related to placement and the models will be explored followed by a brief mention of some current trends in program design.