How Can I Get More Training WHILE I am a Pastor?

The Road Less Traveled — Part 1

by Scott L. Nice, pastor of Christ Reformed Church at Indian Creek, Telford Pennsylvania

 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) It is a familiar verse. However, did you know the word translated “workmanship” (Gk. poiema) may be rendered as “poem” or “story”? In other words, God is telling a story or poem through each of our lives. We are His “best-selling novels,” as God continues to work in and through each of us to accomplish His will and purposes!

What is my story? How did God work in and through me, to prepare me for the “good works” that He would have me “walk in” or accomplish? More specifically, how did I prepare for the pastoral ministry, to which I have been called?

My name is Pastor Scott L. Nice, Senior Pastor at Christ Reformed Church (CRC) at Indian Creek, in Telford, Pennsylvania. I am married to Catharina, have been blessed with four children. After serving CRC for nearly seven years as a part-time youth pastor, I found myself with an opportunity to serve CRC full time (our Senior Pastor having been called away to another charge). I had a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry from Prairie Bible College (PBC); however the leadership of the church was encouraging me to pursue a seminary degree.

Two options seemed immediately apparent: first, a distance ed/correspondence program, much like the one I pursued at PBC for my undergrad degree; or second, enrollment in a local seminary (several are in a reasonable driving distance from where I live). Both options had obvious pros and cons. The challenges really boiled down to having time with my wife and children, my capacity as I was serving as the full-time interim pastor of a medium-sized congregation and our finances. All of these were real concerns.

After investigation and prayer, I learned of a third option. What If I could study Bible/theology/praxis all in the context of the ministry that had been entrusted to me? What if I could do it under the tutelage and supervision of seasoned, experienced men who were currently serving as pastors in the local church? What if there was a curriculum that is rooted in my church, conducted by my church, for my church and church network? What if that school had a “satellite campus” right in my backyard? And what if I could immediately apply what I was learning (classroom) to the ministry (lab) and, take the challenges from the ministry (lab) back to my professors and peers (classroom) for help and direction all while earning a Master of Ministry degree from an accredited institution?

This is exactly what I found, when I found the Antioch School of Church Planting (www.antiochschool.edu) and Leadership Development.
Through Church-Based Theological Education (C-BTE) from Antioch, I was not only prepared to meet the challenge of the ordination process, but also the challenges of leading a congregation through the CCCC LifeFlow Church Development process. All so I could do my best, to present [myself] to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) Learn more next month.