Biblical Reasons for Training National Pastors

I.  It is Commanded in the Scripture

A. Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)

28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

B. Notice the all things…..This is the practical side of the ministry

· Doctrine- Ordinances
· Church Planting
· Pastoral Standards
· Godly Living
· Separation
· Church Policy

These are just a few of the all things.

A. Ephesians 1:10 (KJV)

1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

B. "The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Besides the heavenly inheritance prepared for the saints, there is a present inheritance in the saints; for grace is glory begun, and holiness is happiness in the bud. There is a glory in this inheritance, riches of glory, rendering the Christian more excellent and more truly honorable than all about him: and it is desirable to know this experimentally, to be acquainted with the principles, pleasures, and powers, of the spiritual and divine life." Matthew Henry

C. The training of national pastors is the same as discipleship or mentoring. As pastors,we are to mentor those called to the ministry. When I was in college the professor would, say, “You will learn when you get into the field.” One problem with that is many quit because they know not what they are getting into. God calls, God Sustains. We are to help them to understand the calling, the doctrine, and the faith that is needed to sustain them. God gives the faith, but by our witness they see our faith. Heb. 11

D. 1 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV)

3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)
6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

E. An elder must:

• be without reproach
• be faithful to his wife
• be self-controlled
• live wisely
• be respectable
• be hospitable
• be able to teach
• Not be a heavy drinker-NO Drinking
• Not be violent
• be gentle
• be peace loving
• Not love money
• To manage his own family well
• Not be a new Christian
• have a good reputation in the community

F. Example: Paul and Timothy-Paul and John Mark-Abraham and Lot- Moses and Joshua-Jesus and the disciples

A. Matthew 28:19 (KJV)
28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

B. Teach and go are action words. GK. math-ayt-yoo'-o intransitively to become a pupil; transitively to disciple, that is, enroll as scholar: - be disciple, instruct, teach.

C. GO-- por-yoo'-om-ahee ; to traverse, that is, travel (literally or figuratively; especially to remove [figuratively die], live, etc.): - depart, go (away, forth, one’s way, up), (make a, take a) journey, walk.

The going and teaching part of the ministry is the mission of the church.

The biggest mistake we have made in our mission training is that we have left out the culture differences. We cannot change the culture of a nation but, we can teach them Christ. As a former military man who served in Vietnam, I have seen how we have tried to Westernize nations that refuse to change their culture. Nationals can reach nationals.

Another big mistake is that many missionaries stay at one particular church and operate as a Bishop rather than move on and turn the ministry over to nationals. If you study the book of Acts and the Epistles you will see that Paul went, trained (discipled) and left and then did a follow up every year. This is called church planting.

Conclusion

With America’s creditability changing, many nations of the world are refusing to support and follow us as they once did. The doctrines of holiness and moral living have decayed in the eyes of the world and in our own society. The churches have failed in the mission of separation and holy living. We have followed the progression of the public and in so doing have forgotten the most important mission of the church. Foreign nations have realized they can have the same power we have and this power has entered some of the national churches. Many believers lack the knowledge and training that is needed in guiding a biblical church. The lack of discipleship here and abroad has allowed the cults to advance. The Church is now being forced to revert back to biblical principles and if Christ is to return we must place all of our efforts in preparing the believer for His return. Training national pastors will assure the message is getting out to the locals and the choice of accepting Christ will be open to more people. Our goal in training national pastors is develop indigenous Baptist Churches.

Many of our missionaries who are serving in third world countries are finding it too dangerous to stay. Many are coming home and assuming pastorates here in America. The shortage of missionaries is growing everyday. Many of our new missionaries that are going into the field are pastors who have reached the third or forth quarter of their lives and are willing to go.

NEGATIVE POINTS IN TRAINING NATIONAL PASTORS

1. They can become dependent on the mentor more than God.
2. They can live above the people if they have too much support.
3. They can loose the zeal that is needed to build the local church if the mentor does the work.
4. They can become confused in the callings of God. “Many are called but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14