I never dreamed when I graduated high school those many years ago that I would be back in school at 40 years old, but I had no idea what the Lord had in store for me. I never dreamed I would be called to preach or pastor a church, but we have no way of knowing what all the Lord has in store for us.
I have prayed for some time about continuing my education. I had always said the one thing that furthering my education would involve (except the will of God of course) is that it would have to help me be more effective in pastoring the people God has graciously called me to serve. I am not interested in titles or accolades. After much time in prayer and seeking the right place, the Lord led me to Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia. I have enrolled in the Doctorate of Ministry program which has a focus on pastoral counseling. This is one area that I have always felt inadequate and somewhat intimidated when called upon to offer counsel in a pastoral setting. The degree requires some doctrinal and theological studies also, but it has a great concentration on counseling as well. I have just completed the course on Pre-marital Counseling and emailed my test to be graded. I am waiting to hear the results and praying that I did well.
That course was very beneficial in that it offered a lot of in depth, practical help in counseling couples prior to the wedding. When considering the rate of divorce in our nation, even among the church, it is apparent that solid pre-marital counsel would prove beneficial. Pastors need to invest the time and effort to counsel the couple in hopes of better preparing them for the challenges of marriage while laying the foundation for biblical principles and godly expectations.
I will try to keep you updated from time to time on how things are going with my studies. I would ask that you pray with me regarding wise time management. I believe in being a good steward of all that God gives us and we need to be good stewards of our time as well. I have another dimension now to consider when planning my days and weeks. I pray that I will make wise decisions and manage my time effectively.
I hope you have a blessed week in the Lord. Keep looking up, for our Lord could come at any moment. Seek ways to be used of Him this week.
Preacher Chris
I have prayed for some time about continuing my education. I had always said the one thing that furthering my education would involve (except the will of God of course) is that it would have to help me be more effective in pastoring the people God has graciously called me to serve. I am not interested in titles or accolades. After much time in prayer and seeking the right place, the Lord led me to Andersonville Theological Seminary in Camilla, Georgia. I have enrolled in the Doctorate of Ministry program which has a focus on pastoral counseling. This is one area that I have always felt inadequate and somewhat intimidated when called upon to offer counsel in a pastoral setting. The degree requires some doctrinal and theological studies also, but it has a great concentration on counseling as well. I have just completed the course on Pre-marital Counseling and emailed my test to be graded. I am waiting to hear the results and praying that I did well.
That course was very beneficial in that it offered a lot of in depth, practical help in counseling couples prior to the wedding. When considering the rate of divorce in our nation, even among the church, it is apparent that solid pre-marital counsel would prove beneficial. Pastors need to invest the time and effort to counsel the couple in hopes of better preparing them for the challenges of marriage while laying the foundation for biblical principles and godly expectations.
I will try to keep you updated from time to time on how things are going with my studies. I would ask that you pray with me regarding wise time management. I believe in being a good steward of all that God gives us and we need to be good stewards of our time as well. I have another dimension now to consider when planning my days and weeks. I pray that I will make wise decisions and manage my time effectively.
I hope you have a blessed week in the Lord. Keep looking up, for our Lord could come at any moment. Seek ways to be used of Him this week.
Preacher Chris
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