An opportunity to grow...

An Inverness fellowship is about to embark again on a series of Bible-based training for men who would want to develop their faith and giftings through different forms of ministry in the body of Christ.

IN most of the Christian church in the UK (and elsewhere) the so-called clergy/laity divide has created a system whereby training for ‘ministry’ (Note 1) is focussed on and accessible by relatively few.

The result of this denial of the priesthood of all believers has created a situation in our day whereby the church is grossly deficient in terms of mobilising all the gifts and talents which God has given to His people – the body of Christ. Accordingly – as the baby-boomer generation heads for retirement – pulpits stand empty in many villages, towns and city, while pastoral care, discipleship and church oversight are placed in jeopardy.

Grow in Christ; a God-given mandate

(1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Tim 2:1; 1 John 2:14; Heb 5:12; 1 Cor 3:2)

However there are now much more opportunities for ‘lay’ people to find theological and practical training in order to ‘grow in Christ’ and exercise their God-given abilities for the furtherance of the Gospel and the Kingdom of God.

We are fortunate in the Highlands and Islands to have the Highland Theological College both as a physical base and a source of distance-learning support.

In this context it might be helpful to know of another course of study which has been taken up by more than a few over the past 4 years. Calvary Chapel churches offer sound Bible teaching and a course being offered by Inverness Bible Church is an expression of that. (Sorry ladies; this course is for men.)

Leo Rose who pastors IBC has written as follows:

Greetings in Jesus.

Each year, we embark upon a yearlong practical training course for ministry interns. The course has been condensed into 26, two-hour evening meetings in a year’s time, to minimize the time commitment.

The course has been designed for men who desire to be godly leaders in their homes and/or have been called to some form of ministry, yet due to work or family time constraints are unable to attend a formalised bible college/ministry training.

We are getting ready to begin our next annual course (8, March, 2010).

This invitation has been sent to you because you may have an interest yourself, or you may know of someone else who would benefit from such training.

I plan to order resources for the course soon, so please express your interest no later than 20-February-2010.

Grace and peace in Jesus,

Leo Rose

The course includes a set of audio teachings (MP3 format) and a reading list. This course, which will be delivered in Inverness, has now been run over a period of four years with up to 25 men attending.

Anyone who is interested in the above can learn more about the course by having a look at the course syllabus (click on image below) and/or contacting Leo.

Leo Rose
Inverness Bible Fellowship – A Calvary Chapel
Steading Cottage
Upper Cullernie Farm
Balloch, Inverness
IV2 7HU
01463 798151
leo@ccbf.net ministry

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Note 1. The Greek words 'diakonia' and 'leitourgia' – translated as 'ministry' – mean ‘providing a service’ and are better understood as verbs (describing the delivery of different forms of service) than as nouns (denoting an office or title).

IBC/Christians Together, 12/02/2010