Alabama South District uses technology for pastoral training

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Prattville, Alabama

The Alabama South District recently incorporated a new way to train its pastors for ministry into existing methods. Due to the bivocational status of many pastoral students and the distance and money it takes for training, the district began instruction through online video conferencing.

Each week, students from across the district meet through webcams and microphones to discuss theology, the Bible, and leadership while studying for ministry through modules designed by the Church of the Nazarene's Clergy Development office. The students are able to see the instructor, share files, and view videos and PowerPoint presentations.

Though this does not substitute face-to-face training, the district said it is a supplementary means of preparing men and women for ministry.

“We believe that God wants us to use any means possible to train and equip pastors to meet their world with the resources necessary to win the lost to Jesus Christ and grow his church,” District Superintendent Mark Berry said.

Berry plans to partner with neighboring districts in assisting students who cannot attend face-to-face module classes.

The district expanded its use of the video conferencing software to meet with district leadership on a monthly basis for training and prayer as part of a year-long training on transformation. During the training, Berry and other district leadership members will collaborate in asking God to transform their lives and churches.

Berry anticipates a connection across the district as a result of this technology.
--NCN News submissions (To submit a story, write to submitnews@ncnnews.com)

 

< back to USA/Canada

next article >