Did Pastor's School Actually Help Churches?

[Twisted]

Another thread mentioned the third Monday in March, which was the starting time of Pastor's School.

Many of us have memories of it, some good and some bad.

But the question is this:  Did Pastor's School, in the long run, actually help churches?

 

[Twisted]

To not appear to be picking on just Pastor's School, let's broaden the question to any mega-conference, i.e. Treiber, Chappell, Sword.

Let's admit that pastors going to these conferences use them as a recharge.  A mini-vacation at the church's expense. 

Do these events really benefit the man/woman sitting in the pew?

Do these events result in the pastor getting closer to God?

Did the Apostle Paul mess up by not instructing anyone to have these type events?

Can a pastor just use his Bible, prayer, secular books and common sense advice from others to achieve the same thing?

 

[16KJV11]

To not appear to be picking on just Pastor's School, let's broaden the question to any mega-conference, i.e. Treiber, Chappell, Sword.

Let's admit that pastors going to these conferences use them as a recharge.  A mini-vacation at the church's expense. 

Do these events really benefit the man/woman sitting in the pew?

Do these events result in the pastor getting closer to God?

Did the Apostle Paul mess up by not instructing anyone to have these type events?

Can a pastor just use his Bible, prayer, secular books and common sense advice from others to achieve the same thing?

I used to go to  Pastors school most every year but I never charged a dime of it to the church. However I must say that they never really helped me very much.

 

[Walt]

To not appear to be picking on just Pastor's School, let's broaden the question to any mega-conference, i.e. Treiber, Chappell, Sword.

Let's admit that pastors going to these conferences use them as a recharge.  A mini-vacation at the church's expense. 

Do these events really benefit the man/woman sitting in the pew?

Do these events result in the pastor getting closer to God?

Did the Apostle Paul mess up by not instructing anyone to have these type events?

Can a pastor just use his Bible, prayer, secular books and common sense advice from others to achieve the same thing?

As a nobody member in the cultic church, I always dreaded the conferences; the pastor would come back with yet more demands for longer work hours for the church, usually related to soul-winning. Going every other week wasn't enough; one had to go weekly; going weekly wasn't enough, one had to have someone saved. One time, it was a requirement that staff members had to have a person in church each week.

 

[RAIDER]

I have nothing but good input on this issue.  The pastors of the churches I have attended came back from PS spiritually (not physically) refreshed.  It was much like coming back from training seminars that I now attend for my business.  I am more fired up and focused on my job.  I'm sure there are some guys that attended PS and came back a bigger idiot than when they left.  We call those guys "Hackers".   

 

[TheRealJonStewart]

Been to several conferences and here is what I will say:

Paul Chappell's conferences are helpful. There are good sessions within that conference taught by brilliant people. Chappell's sessions are also pretty good- IMO not just for pastors but also for business leaders. I didn't attend that year's but I saw a clip of him teaching a session about millennial staff members and thought it was an extremely useful session for both churches and businesses that have millennials on staff.

Jack Schaap and Jack Trieber's on the other hand were useless. I never got anything out of them. They just preached. A lot of hooting and hollering but no substance.

 

[16KJV11]

Been to several conferences and here is what I will say:

Paul Chappell's conferences are helpful. There are good sessions within that conference taught by brilliant people. Chappell's sessions are also pretty good- IMO not just for pastors but also for business leaders. I didn't attend that year's but I saw a clip of him teaching a session about millennial staff members and thought it was an extremely useful session for both churches and businesses that have millennials on staff.

Jack Schaap and Jack Trieber's on the other hand were useless. I never got anything out of them. They just preached. A lot of hooting and hollering but no substance.

I will take your thoughts into account.
Normally I hate conferences but I went to one in Ft. Dodge Iowa a couple of years ago that really helped me a lot.  In fact, I can say that it is the only conference that I have ever attended where I learned a lot that actually helped me in my life and ministry.
It was the spiritual warfare conference held by Marvin Smith.

 

[RAIDER]

Been to several conferences and here is what I will say:

Paul Chappell's conferences are helpful. There are good sessions within that conference taught by brilliant people. Chappell's sessions are also pretty good- IMO not just for pastors but also for business leaders. I didn't attend that year's but I saw a clip of him teaching a session about millennial staff members and thought it was an extremely useful session for both churches and businesses that have millennials on staff.

Jack Schaap and Jack Trieber's on the other hand were useless. I never got anything out of them. They just preached. A lot of hooting and hollering but no substance.

If you are coming from an intellectual standpoint I would probably agree.  You have to remember that some preachers go for a time of refreshing and being revived.  I believe Pastor's School did that for many. 

 

[cpizzle]

I am a pastor, I attended several Pastors Schools, and they helped me.

Does that mean that they weren't oftentimes shallow and "off the rails" at times....of course not.

I took them for what they were and they were a blessing.  I think that is the point...once you recognize what you are getting and modify your expectations, then you can be helped.

 

[RAIDER]

I am a pastor, I attended several Pastors Schools, and they helped me.

Does that mean that they weren't oftentimes shallow and "off the rails" at times....of course not.

I took them for what they were and they were a blessing.  I think that is the point...once you recognize what you are getting and modify your expectations, then you can be helped.

Exactly!

 

[Twisted]

I am a pastor, I attended several Pastors Schools, and they helped me.

Does that mean that they weren't oftentimes shallow and "off the rails" at times....of course not.

I took them for what they were and they were a blessing.  I think that is the point...once you recognize what you are getting and modify your expectations, then you can be helped.

I believe I stated that pastors go to get a recharge, have fun, fellowship, etc.

But the question is did it help the man in the pew in your church?

 

[RAIDER]

I am a pastor, I attended several Pastors Schools, and they helped me.

Does that mean that they weren't oftentimes shallow and "off the rails" at times....of course not.

I took them for what they were and they were a blessing.  I think that is the point...once you recognize what you are getting and modify your expectations, then you can be helped.

I believe I stated that pastors go to get a recharge, have fun, fellowship, etc.

But the question is did it help the man in the pew in your church?

If a pastor came back "recharged" and with some new ideas I would think it would help the man in the pew.

 

[Twisted]

I am a pastor, I attended several Pastors Schools, and they helped me.

Does that mean that they weren't oftentimes shallow and "off the rails" at times....of course not.

I took them for what they were and they were a blessing.  I think that is the point...once you recognize what you are getting and modify your expectations, then you can be helped.

I believe I stated that pastors go to get a recharge, have fun, fellowship, etc.

But the question is did it help the man in the pew in your church?

If a pastor came back "recharged" and with some new ideas I would think it would help the man in the pew.

Not necessarily.  If the pastor got "recharged" and came back to his church running 50 wanting to be the "largest Baptist church in the county" and tried to get his members to work harder, sacrifice more, "win souls", give more, etc., then it could have the opposite effect.  I think we've heard stories about that.

And why do we need "new ideas"?  What has any of that to do with getting closer to God?  Becoming "soldiers for Christ"?  IMO, the majority of Baptists are ignorant of the BIBLE.  Seems like time should be spent teaching the BOOK.  Why is it the majority of kids coming up through Sunday School couldn't say/spell all the books of the Bible and are clueless about who the Apostles are?  Do mega-conferences help with that?

 

[RAIDER]

I am a pastor, I attended several Pastors Schools, and they helped me.

Does that mean that they weren't oftentimes shallow and "off the rails" at times....of course not.

I took them for what they were and they were a blessing.  I think that is the point...once you recognize what you are getting and modify your expectations, then you can be helped.

I believe I stated that pastors go to get a recharge, have fun, fellowship, etc.

But the question is did it help the man in the pew in your church?

If a pastor came back "recharged" and with some new ideas I would think it would help the man in the pew.

Not necessarily.  If the pastor got "recharged" and came back to his church running 50 wanting to be the "largest Baptist church in the county" and tried to get his members to work harder, sacrifice more, "win souls", give more, etc., then it could have the opposite effect.  I think we've heard stories about that.

And why do we need "new ideas"?  What has any of that to do with getting closer to God?  Becoming "soldiers for Christ"?  IMO, the majority of Baptists are ignorant of the BIBLE.  Seems like time should be spent teaching the BOOK.  Why is it the majority of kids coming up through Sunday School couldn't say/spell all the books of the Bible and are clueless about who the Apostles are?  Do mega-conferences help with that?

You have to remember that I'm not talking about idiots.  I know that there are these kinds that attend pastor's meetings and fellowships.  We actually make fun of them on the Hacker thread.  I'm talking about a normal IFB pastor.  I attended a church with this type of pastor and our church was blessed every time he attended a meeting.

New ideas are needed and can be a blessing.  If we never had a new idea we would not be using microphones or running busses.  Without heeding a new idea we would not use available technology.  It has a lot to do with spreading the Gospel.

Now if you are talking about a "new truth" that some preacher discovered, or twisting some Scripture for the "shock factor" I agree with you. 

 

[Twisted]

I am a pastor, I attended several Pastors Schools, and they helped me.

Does that mean that they weren't oftentimes shallow and "off the rails" at times....of course not.

I took them for what they were and they were a blessing.  I think that is the point...once you recognize what you are getting and modify your expectations, then you can be helped.

I believe I stated that pastors go to get a recharge, have fun, fellowship, etc.

But the question is did it help the man in the pew in your church?

If a pastor came back "recharged" and with some new ideas I would think it would help the man in the pew.

Not necessarily.  If the pastor got "recharged" and came back to his church running 50 wanting to be the "largest Baptist church in the county" and tried to get his members to work harder, sacrifice more, "win souls", give more, etc., then it could have the opposite effect.  I think we've heard stories about that.

And why do we need "new ideas"?  What has any of that to do with getting closer to God?  Becoming "soldiers for Christ"?  IMO, the majority of Baptists are ignorant of the BIBLE.  Seems like time should be spent teaching the BOOK.  Why is it the majority of kids coming up through Sunday School couldn't say/spell all the books of the Bible and are clueless about who the Apostles are?  Do mega-conferences help with that?

You have to remember that I'm not talking about idiots.  I know that there are these kinds that attend pastor's meetings and fellowships.  We actually make fun of them on the Hacker thread.  I'm talking about a normal IFB pastor.  I attended a church with this type of pastor and our church was blessed every time he attended a meeting.

New ideas are needed and can be a blessing.  If we never had a new idea we would not be using microphones or running busses.  Without heeding a new idea we would not use available technology.  It has a lot to do with spreading the Gospel.

Now if you are talking about a "new truth" that some preacher discovered, or twisting some Scripture for the "shock factor" I agree with you.

Agreed.  There is a difference between idiots and non-idiots.

As with any issue, there will always be "someone" who was helped after their pastor came back from a conference.

My thought is that they make little difference over the long-haul for the majority of those sitting in the pews.  I base this on being in churches where pastors attended conferences.  Other than hearing about the conference, there is little in long-term effect.

Now....getting back to this "microphone" thing you mentioned.

Did Paul use a mic?  Spurgeon?  Sunday?  First a "mic", then an electric guitar, then strobe lights.....

 

[16KJV11]

I am a pastor, I attended several Pastors Schools, and they helped me.

Does that mean that they weren't oftentimes shallow and "off the rails" at times....of course not.

I took them for what they were and they were a blessing.  I think that is the point...once you recognize what you are getting and modify your expectations, then you can be helped.

I believe I stated that pastors go to get a recharge, have fun, fellowship, etc.

But the question is did it help the man in the pew in your church?

If a pastor came back "recharged" and with some new ideas I would think it would help the man in the pew.

Not necessarily.  If the pastor got "recharged" and came back to his church running 50 wanting to be the "largest Baptist church in the county" and tried to get his members to work harder, sacrifice more, "win souls", give more, etc., then it could have the opposite effect.  I think we've heard stories about that.

And why do we need "new ideas"?  What has any of that to do with getting closer to God?  Becoming "soldiers for Christ"?  IMO, the majority of Baptists are ignorant of the BIBLE.  Seems like time should be spent teaching the BOOK.  Why is it the majority of kids coming up through Sunday School couldn't say/spell all the books of the Bible and are clueless about who the Apostles are?  Do mega-conferences help with that?

Sometimes we 'pastors' get in a rut, or we lose focus, or we just get downright depressed.  I know that never happens to anyone else but me... Sometimes a good time of fellowship and some good preaching is what we need to keep us encouraged and focused.
The right kind of conference can do that.
I like having revivals here at my church, but a revival isn't necessarily a time of rest or focus for a pastor, he is just as busy caring for the needs of the evangelist, organizing the services, leading the special music (as I do), so, getting away to a conference where all I have to do is attend can be very refreshing.
So, the right kind of conference can be a real help.

 

[Twisted]

I am a pastor, I attended several Pastors Schools, and they helped me.

Does that mean that they weren't oftentimes shallow and "off the rails" at times....of course not.

I took them for what they were and they were a blessing.  I think that is the point...once you recognize what you are getting and modify your expectations, then you can be helped.

I believe I stated that pastors go to get a recharge, have fun, fellowship, etc.

But the question is did it help the man in the pew in your church?

If a pastor came back "recharged" and with some new ideas I would think it would help the man in the pew.

Not necessarily.  If the pastor got "recharged" and came back to his church running 50 wanting to be the "largest Baptist church in the county" and tried to get his members to work harder, sacrifice more, "win souls", give more, etc., then it could have the opposite effect.  I think we've heard stories about that.

And why do we need "new ideas"?  What has any of that to do with getting closer to God?  Becoming "soldiers for Christ"?  IMO, the majority of Baptists are ignorant of the BIBLE.  Seems like time should be spent teaching the BOOK.  Why is it the majority of kids coming up through Sunday School couldn't say/spell all the books of the Bible and are clueless about who the Apostles are?  Do mega-conferences help with that?

Sometimes we 'pastors' get in a rut, or we lose focus, or we just get downright depressed.  I know that never happens to anyone else but me... Sometimes a good time of fellowship and some good preaching is what we need to keep us encouraged and focused.
The right kind of conference can do that.
I like having revivals here at my church, but a revival isn't necessarily a time of rest or focus for a pastor, he is just as busy caring for the needs of the evangelist, organizing the services, leading the special music (as I do), so, getting away to a conference where all I have to do is attend can be very refreshing.
So, the right kind of conference can be a real help.

How do you have time to pastor AND work at the Sunbeam bakery?