Training Local Leaders

One of the most urgent needs in the rapidly growing global south church is the in-situ training of missionally-focused pastors and leaders.

 

 

In many places across the world there is a need for relevant, cost-effective, in-situ training for local pastors, church leaders and emerging leaders. Many of these people do not have the financial resources or educational background to access traditional theological education, and many don’t need tertiary qualifications to be effective in their local ministry. But they do yearn for relevant, recognised training that will help them grow as fruitful, Christ-centred missional leaders. 

 

I am seeing this need  - and opportunity - first-hand this week, as I meet in Harare with leaders and pastors from the Baptist Union of Zimbabwe. The group are embarking on a new leadership training journey utilising the Re-Forma platform, supported by Rev Dr Roger Kemp.

 

Founded on outcome and impact-based assessment, Re-Forma provides recognised practical benchmarks for non-formal pastoral and leadership training. The training and assessment can be provided in-situ, online and in hybrid contexts, and outcomes can be achieved in writing and orally. At the completion of the modules, participants are awarded a Certificate of Biblical Training for Ministry accredited by the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).
 

Re-Forma research notes that more than 90% of all pastors worldwide do not have a formal theological education. This equates to well over 2 million Protestant pastors worldwide. In addition, every year thousands of new churches/faith communities are established, very often without a trained pastor or mission leader. 

 

This is certainly a challenge in Zimbabwe, where there are growing number of Baptist churches and church plants without trained pastors. The same is true in Zambia, where I will meet with leaders from the Central Baptist Association this week. 

 

Roger Kemp, who serves on the Re-Forma international board, has introduced the Re-Forma training approach to Baptist groups in Zambia and Zimbabwe. We’re looking forward to seeing the outcomes of this training, building on many years of leadership training Roger has facilitated in Africa.

 

Baptist Mission Australia is partnering with TCMA in the delivery of this vital training in Africa. Aligned with the huge shifts in world Christianity, Baptist Mission Australia is looking forward to strengthening missional leadership development opportunities across the globe. This support of leaders, contextual mission training in Africa, Asia and Australia, and our support of other training partners will be overseen by a new intercultural mission leadership network that we’re establishing this year. We will share more news on the network later this year.

 

 

The Kemps first came to Zambia in 1977 with Baptist Mission Australia, returning to Australia in 1985. Since re-locating to Australia, they have made regular trips to Africa to equip leaders and foster mission. Over the past 39 years they have impacted many lives and been used by God’s Spirit to train, encourage and develop leaders in Africa and other parts of the world. We honour them and thank God for them!

Grace and peace,