For discussion

September 26, 2012 | Feature | Number 19

1. What has been the history of how a pastor is chosen in your congregation? How many people from your congregation have entered the pastoral ministry? How did the congregation help them develop leadership skills?

2. What do you think are the advantages or disadvantages of having a professionally trained pastor paid by the congregation? What are the major differences between having a professionally trained pastor paid a salary by the congregation and an untrained, unpaid pastor chosen from within? Who has the authority to make decisions in each model?

3. How important is it for future pastors to attend the Mennonite seminary in Elkhart, Indiana? How do Mennonite Church Canada, the Area Churches and the church schools help to train pastors? Should more mature adults be encouraged to enter pastoral work?

4. In what ways does your congregation groom its people for leadership? How might churches do a better job of giving more responsibility to younger people?

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