Good luck Terry!

After having spent many hours with Brian, I can say confidently that there is a single reason why Brian is so willing to invest in others, both through The River and individually. It is because, having read Scripture well for a long time, and having had a living conversation with God in His Word, Brian has been captured by the idea that Jesus is the supreme treasure!

I have no problem in publishing your comments.

I think in order to understand the author’s comments, you might need to read other articles he has written about the subject. I think he links to one within the article I linked to. I have had an extended phone conversation with Brian Croft and really understand where he is coming from in this regard. I also think if you read his book – Test, train, affirm & send into ministry, you will also understand that the ultimate training of men and sending belongs to the local church (many whom have abdicated it to the seminaries).

Yes, I agree that our church is unusual because of the seminary, but it should not be held against us. I am not advocating a revolving pulpit each week, but when the pastor is away or needing a break, instead of always asking the same staff members, why not branch out to those of us who are trained and called to preach, but are not able to exercise their preaching gifts on a regular basis. Mark Dever at Capitol Hill Baptist Church only preaches 65% of the time, he lets other elders preach. If anything, we should be a strong base of support for those who find themselves joining our body while completing their training at CBTS. If someone were to call Pastor Matt for a recommendation regarding my preaching ministry, could he honestly give a recommendation, since I have not preached at FBC since he has been the pastor?

Regarding a teaching ministry, I was teaching and then not in the teaching rotation anymore (been over a year) so I have no area to teach ABF anymore at Fourth.

Yes, I probably am vocationally frustrated, because when I came to seminary, I did not expect to be at my same secular job 10 years later and 3 years after graduating. I am not called to stay at McKesson the rest of my life. My heart has always been tuned towards full-time vocational ministry.

There are some other things I can speak with you about privately that are not necessarily fit for publishing in the comments section.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

First of all “to preach”. Why do you (or the author) presume that that means inside the church and behind the tall wooden desk? Take Acts 8:4: “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” This text speaks of evangelizing out in the world – not behind a pulpit!

I’m called to preach (herald the good news) as much as any Christian. My mission field is primarily the financial services company where God has placed me.

Secondly, our church is unusual in that because of the seminary we have many many men who are as prepared as you – yet find themselves not in a pastorate. Our church called our main man to shepherd us. We would have a rotating pulpit if ever one with your training or mine were preaching each week.

I think about my own experience at church yesterday. John W taught from Job in the ABF. Our Pastor of course from 1 Cor 9 in the AM. Why is it in our circles that we consider the ABF “teaching” and in the worship hour “preaching”?

I sense you are perhaps vocationally frustrated. Shakespeare’s phrase “The world is one’s oyster” applies (Google for background and meaning). There are plenty of opportunities but one must be willing to take the risk. One could be a overseas missionary after candidate school be in many churches honing his skills during the deputation time.

Hope you publish (because I put of lot of thought and work in my response and I do appreciate you in the Lord).

Its 12/24/2012 & we still have the @Home service for only 5Bucks!