Pastoral Training… can you imagine.

In Nicaragua, the pastors get together for biblical and other training. I believe once a month all the pastors try to come into Managua… others are able to come on a weekly basis. In this time they study the texts for the up-coming Sunday to aid them in preparing their sermons and to hear some theology and history behind the given texts and also hear the ideas and thoughts of their fellow pastors.

Time was also taken to discuss some difficulties with the work ethic of the pastors. The afternoon session was put together very well in a non-threatening way while still naming some of the problems that are occurring with the pastors… especially those who have not been attending to their communities. We split up into 5 groups, each given a song and a word to discuss. Each group was to discuss where they saw there word active in the church, find scriptures to support why it was not a good thing to have in the church and then rewrite their song to instruct as to why it was not good. The words were… Intriga, Burla, Irresponsabilidad, Egoísmo, Mal Carácter… It was a very good way to discuss these difficult topics. I cannot imagine a group of pastors in the states willingly participating in such an activity… but that does not mean that it could not be helpful.

For me, my experience in Nicaragua was great. It felt good to study theology again and to know another church, its people, its blessings and its challenges. It gave me perspective on the differences between the church as well.