Let me begin with the testimony of an older saint named Michael Hyatt. Mike recently posted on Facebook the following word of encouragement/perspective- “I’m not exaggerating when I say reading changed my life. What started as a childhood hobby became a lifetime obsession. Not only did my insatiable reading habit eventually lead me to become CEO of Thomas Nelson, one of the largest publishing houses in the world, but it allowed me to learn early on how important it was to become a lifetime learner. I can honestly tell you that reading is one of THE MOST effective ways to achieve personal and professional growth. Now, I won’t lie. It’s not always easy to know which books are actually worth your time. And unless you’re in publishing (or a full time pastor), you probably don’t have hours to spend pouring over pages to find the best resources…..”
The goal of men’s leadership training and development is to pick some of the very best Christian resources related to important BIBLICAL subjects, and to come together once a month as men, and encourage one another to think, speak, and live biblically. Every New Testament passage that talks about biblical growth drips with sanctified sweat. It’s why we’re called “to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness” and “to work out our salvation with fear and trembling” and to “take EVERY thought captive to the obedience of Christ” and “contend earnestly for the faith” “and to passionately guard the deposit of sound doctrine.” These are God’s Words to his Church (not the opinion of man). By Divine design, men are uniquely called to be spiritual leaders. The Sr. Pastor should be heavily invested in this process "until Christ is formed in you."
A number of good thoughts, observations, and questions have come in during and after our first nine sessions of Men’s Leadership Track 1. Let me try and highlight a few of them:
1) Leaders are readers. But not all men gravitate towards reading. Some men are exceptionally gifted when it comes to working with their hands! PTL for that. We all don’t have the same skill set.
Just a little history- the men’s leadership ministry that I implemented last year was originally put together by a veteran pastor in another state. His discipleship efforts yielded wonderful fruit in the life of his local church. I’ve tweaked what this godly man does (and what many other like-minded pastors have done in different places) to try and meet the pressing needs of THIS particular congregation.
Unlike LCBC, in a previous church context most of the men I led were blue collar guys. Hunters and farmers and factory workers…. Manly men who (in general) did not read much beyond the newspaper… I told them that I know with God’s help and a little accountability/encouragement you guys will be able to read 4-5 sanctifying books over the course of 10 months. Seven years later the vast majority of blue collar men had read 30+ books…
Now I can hear someone say- “Pastor, knowledge alone PUFFETH UP.” That’s so true… But the Lord who created our amazing brains uses biblical instruction/doctrine/truth to move our religious affections, to deepen our core convictions, and to help us become better Christ-glorifying churchmen, husbands, fathers, deacons, elders, members, etc. That’s the heartbeat of this ministry. Read through 1-2 Timothy this week and you’ll see what a heavy premium the Holy Spirit places on sound doctrine and biblical instruction. The early church in Acts 2:42 is said to have “DEVOTED THEMSELVES to the apostles doctrine…..” as should we.
2) I don’t think God is ever going to call me to be an elder or deacon, isn’t that the primary target of this ministry? If so, is it worth my time to be part of “Iron Men?” Those are great questions. Three things: 1) Yes, one of the goals of this ministry is to develop future leaders and to help current leaders become even more useful to the Lord (1 Tim. 4:15; 2 Tim. 2:2). Biblical and faithful lay leaders are the backbone of the local church. 2) Some of you men are so humble that you have no idea the great things God would like to do in and through you. When you study the 4 Gospels, who would have ever thought that 12 ordinary men (most of whom were “uneducated” fishermen) would be used to “turn the world upside down” for Christ!!! When I look into a room full of (FAT) F.aithful, A.vailable and T.eachable LCBC men I see loads of POTENTIAL. The father of modern missions Willam Carey said, “Except great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Amen and amen! 3) The class is broad enough to help any man become a more useful/biblical church member and to hopefully become an even better spiritual leader at home. However, this is not the only ministry under the banner of men’s ministries. Kim Benson leads a small group Bible Study. Tim Buege leads a monthly prayer meeting and is helping to coordinate QTRLY men’s breakfast gatherings (the next one is taking place this Saturday). Denny VanCleve put together a summer Bible study. And Mike Umlands leads a time of relationship building called “Geezers.” For a 200 person church we offer so many different ministries- in large part, because we have so many faithful lay people actively serving (1 Pet. 4:10-11; 1 Cor. 12-14).
3) Please help us to see the value and pastoral vision of some of the past resources you picked for the average layman? Great question. One of the books we read was titled “The Shepherd-Leader” it was a practical work highlighting the heartbeat of 1 Peter 5:1-4 and Heb. 13:17. Those passages describe God’s vision for elders/pastors. For those who are not serving in this capacity, and who don’t ever see themselves serving in this office, what’s in it for me? A) Biblical Expectations. Every church member should know what the Bible expects for church leaders. Unrealistic/unbiblical expectations can lead to tension and division. B) Some of you laymen will be asked to serve on the elder nomination committee. One HAS to know Scripture inside and out if they’re to recommend the right kind of shepherd-leaders for the critically important office of elder. C) The Chief Shepherd set up His Church to be “run” a certain way; (call it polity, government, or whatever you want). Under-shepherds/elders/overseers/shepherd-leaders (note Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:26-32; 1 Tim. 5:17-23) are given the HUGE task of watching over the flock of God. If people don’t see themselves as sheep and don’t understand what local church shepherds are suppose to do the Church will not grow and mature as much as it could and should. Sheep might resist rather then welcome shepherding efforts of elders/pastors if they have not thought through what spiritual oversight, direction, soul care looks like in the real world.
B) Another book we read was titled, “The Master’s Plan For the Church.” It was a book on the doctrine and the anatomy of the local church. In previous ministries it always pained me when a church member moved away- only to hear they ended up joining a local church that was far from what God calls His church to be. Members and lay leaders alike need to know the in’s and out’s of how the church is to be structured, how God grows a congregation spiritually, etc, etc. So much confusion exists today over the X’s and O’s of church life and ministry. Churches that are headed in the wrong direction or that are not grounded in the whole counsel of God would not continue to exist if they were not people to fill the pews. By the grace of God, LCBC is a wonderful church- but we can’t take our continued spiritual health for granted.
C) Another book we read was “The Exemplary Husband.” In my first 14 months of ministry I have had the privilege of coming alongside of, or of praying for/encouraging someone else who was coming alongside of quite a few LCBC couples that are really struggling when it comes to their marriage/family. I know that most people share their hurts and burdens with friends in the church- LONG BEFORE- they come to leadership and say, “Our marriage is broken- or __?” What a great opportunity God gives us when someone shares a personal burden to provide timely, helpful, targeted words of life/comfort/guidance. God’s Word is AMAZING...every principle we need to know surrounding marriage and family is in God’s Book. The EH book and workbook not only addresses some of the most common problems/challenges in marriage it also helps those who have “better/good” marriages to excel still more. No one, after all, has a perfect marriage. God wants us to never stop working on our marriages….. So this study was timely on a hundred fronts.
4) What’s different about Track 2A and 2B then what was offered in Track 1? Based on a year’s experience and your feedback a few adjustments have been made. 1) Simplify/Specialize/Modify -- Each once a month Saturday super session will have three parts. Full Group discussion (based on the two books everyone is reading). Longer Small group time with fewer small group leaders- more time for prayer, discussion, and accountability. One breakout session each Saturday where Track 2A and 2B guys will meet in separate rooms. The Track 2A breakout time is for those who want more in depth theological instruction and discussion. Track 2B guys will also utilize a few great resources- but the books are a bit easier to read/digest and are specific for all Christian men. One of these books highlights what it looks like to be a servant-leader. The other highlights what are the 10 marks of a faithful church member. Pastor Kent will lead Track 2B and I will lead Track 2A.
Is this ministry for everyone? Yes and No. But I do believe it will be used of God to help our church move from where we’re currently at- to where God wants to take us next.
2) I don’t think God is ever going to call me to be an elder or deacon, isn’t that the primary target of this ministry? If so, is it worth my time to be part of “Iron Men?” Those are great questions. Three things: 1) Yes, one of the goals of this ministry is to develop future leaders and to help current leaders become even more useful to the Lord (1 Tim. 4:15; 2 Tim. 2:2). Biblical and faithful lay leaders are the backbone of the local church. 2) Some of you men are so humble that you have no idea the great things God would like to do in and through you. When you study the 4 Gospels, who would have ever thought that 12 ordinary men (most of whom were “uneducated” fishermen) would be used to “turn the world upside down” for Christ!!! When I look into a room full of (FAT) F.aithful, A.vailable and T.eachable LCBC men I see loads of POTENTIAL. The father of modern missions Willam Carey said, “Except great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Amen and amen! 3) The class is broad enough to help any man become a more useful/biblical church member and to hopefully become an even better spiritual leader at home. However, this is not the only ministry under the banner of men’s ministries. Kim Benson leads a small group Bible Study. Tim Buege leads a monthly prayer meeting and is helping to coordinate QTRLY men’s breakfast gatherings (the next one is taking place this Saturday). Denny VanCleve put together a summer Bible study. And Mike Umlands leads a time of relationship building called “Geezers.” For a 200 person church we offer so many different ministries- in large part, because we have so many faithful lay people actively serving (1 Pet. 4:10-11; 1 Cor. 12-14).
3) Please help us to see the value and pastoral vision of some of the past resources you picked for the average layman? Great question. One of the books we read was titled “The Shepherd-Leader” it was a practical work highlighting the heartbeat of 1 Peter 5:1-4 and Heb. 13:17. Those passages describe God’s vision for elders/pastors. For those who are not serving in this capacity, and who don’t ever see themselves serving in this office, what’s in it for me? A) Biblical Expectations. Every church member should know what the Bible expects for church leaders. Unrealistic/unbiblical expectations can lead to tension and division. B) Some of you laymen will be asked to serve on the elder nomination committee. One HAS to know Scripture inside and out if they’re to recommend the right kind of shepherd-leaders for the critically important office of elder. C) The Chief Shepherd set up His Church to be “run” a certain way; (call it polity, government, or whatever you want). Under-shepherds/elders/overseers/shepherd-leaders (note Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-4; Acts 20:26-32; 1 Tim. 5:17-23) are given the HUGE task of watching over the flock of God. If people don’t see themselves as sheep and don’t understand what local church shepherds are suppose to do the Church will not grow and mature as much as it could and should. Sheep might resist rather then welcome shepherding efforts of elders/pastors if they have not thought through what spiritual oversight, direction, soul care looks like in the real world.
B) Another book we read was titled, “The Master’s Plan For the Church.” It was a book on the doctrine and the anatomy of the local church. In previous ministries it always pained me when a church member moved away- only to hear they ended up joining a local church that was far from what God calls His church to be. Members and lay leaders alike need to know the in’s and out’s of how the church is to be structured, how God grows a congregation spiritually, etc, etc. So much confusion exists today over the X’s and O’s of church life and ministry. Churches that are headed in the wrong direction or that are not grounded in the whole counsel of God would not continue to exist if they were not people to fill the pews. By the grace of God, LCBC is a wonderful church- but we can’t take our continued spiritual health for granted.
C) Another book we read was “The Exemplary Husband.” In my first 14 months of ministry I have had the privilege of coming alongside of, or of praying for/encouraging someone else who was coming alongside of quite a few LCBC couples that are really struggling when it comes to their marriage/family. I know that most people share their hurts and burdens with friends in the church- LONG BEFORE- they come to leadership and say, “Our marriage is broken- or __?” What a great opportunity God gives us when someone shares a personal burden to provide timely, helpful, targeted words of life/comfort/guidance. God’s Word is AMAZING...every principle we need to know surrounding marriage and family is in God’s Book. The EH book and workbook not only addresses some of the most common problems/challenges in marriage it also helps those who have “better/good” marriages to excel still more. No one, after all, has a perfect marriage. God wants us to never stop working on our marriages….. So this study was timely on a hundred fronts.
4) What’s different about Track 2A and 2B then what was offered in Track 1? Based on a year’s experience and your feedback a few adjustments have been made. 1) Simplify/Specialize/Modify -- Each once a month Saturday super session will have three parts. Full Group discussion (based on the two books everyone is reading). Longer Small group time with fewer small group leaders- more time for prayer, discussion, and accountability. One breakout session each Saturday where Track 2A and 2B guys will meet in separate rooms. The Track 2A breakout time is for those who want more in depth theological instruction and discussion. Track 2B guys will also utilize a few great resources- but the books are a bit easier to read/digest and are specific for all Christian men. One of these books highlights what it looks like to be a servant-leader. The other highlights what are the 10 marks of a faithful church member. Pastor Kent will lead Track 2B and I will lead Track 2A.
Is this ministry for everyone? Yes and No. But I do believe it will be used of God to help our church move from where we’re currently at- to where God wants to take us next.
The goal of every Spirit-filled, Biblically informed pastor is to do everything they can, in the strength of the Lord, (Col. 1:29) to PRESENT EVER MAN MATURE IN CHRIST (Col. 1:28; Eph. 4:11-16; Heb. 5:12-14).
5) There’s a short Informational meeting this Sunday after the service in room 101. If you have not signed up yet you still have a few days left to do so. If you have friends from other churches who don’t have something like this at their local church, as with last year, they are welcome to join us.
A fellow bond-servant of Jesus and minister of the gospel.
Pastor Caleb Kolstad
THE HEARTBEAT BEHIND THIS MINISTRY: Why Men’s Leadership Training and Discipleship at Lake Country Bible Church
2 Timothy 2:2- “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also;”
Proverbs 27:17- “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
1 Timothy 4:7- But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
Jude 3- Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
1 Peter 3:15- but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
Colossians 1:28-29- And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
Ephesians 4:11-16- And He gave some as …pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Hebrews 5:12-14- For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Phil 3:12-14- Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
5) There’s a short Informational meeting this Sunday after the service in room 101. If you have not signed up yet you still have a few days left to do so. If you have friends from other churches who don’t have something like this at their local church, as with last year, they are welcome to join us.
A fellow bond-servant of Jesus and minister of the gospel.
Pastor Caleb Kolstad
THE HEARTBEAT BEHIND THIS MINISTRY: Why Men’s Leadership Training and Discipleship at Lake Country Bible Church
2 Timothy 2:2- “And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also;”
Proverbs 27:17- “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
1 Timothy 4:7- But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
Jude 3- Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
1 Peter 3:15- but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.
Colossians 1:28-29- And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.
Ephesians 4:11-16- And He gave some as …pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Hebrews 5:12-14- For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Phil 3:12-14- Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
