I have decided that, in most cases, I will train people for two evenings. When I travel to rural churches, I do not want my visit to become a financial burden for them. Therefore, I usually drive my own car, stay only one night in a hotel, and then return to my home in Seoul.
The training is conducted over two evenings. We normally begin at 7:00 p.m. and continue until 11:00 p.m. or midnight. The following evening, we again finish around 11:00 p.m. or midnight, after which I can return to Seoul.
Most rural churches do not have sufficient financial resources. They may need to provide several meals, hotel accommodations, and an honorarium for my teaching. For this reason, I have tried to complete the equipping process in only two evenings.
However, through my experience, I have discovered that preparation makes a great difference. When the candidates have been given a preview before the training, approximately 80–85 percent of them become motivated. Without a preview, only about 50–60 percent are motivated.
Those who have been properly prepared tend to release their energy gradually and consistently. As a result, their ministry is much more likely to succeed. On the other hand, when only 50–60 percent of the participants are truly motivated, as one might expect, the ministry often does not succeed.
The Importance of Preview
The best method I have found is to visit the church in advance. Usually, I visit during the Sunday afternoon service or the Wednesday evening service and introduce the ministry to the entire congregation.
After the service, some people express their interest and submit their names as candidates to their pastor. I then give them a book to study together during the following month. Usually, I ask them to preview and prepare for the ministry for one month.
After one month, I return to the church and equip the candidates through the training program.
Then, on the following Sunday, I visit the church once again to attend the Commissioning Service.
The Importance of Being Present
I have discovered that my presence at the Commissioning Service makes a significant difference. Whether I am there or not affects the atmosphere and seriousness of the occasion. Therefore, whenever possible, I try to attend this final and important moment.
During the service, I spend time with the new lay pastors and place the PACE symbol pins on their clothing. It is very meaningful for me to be there.
When their trainer—myself—is present at the moment they are commissioned and sent out for ministry, both the congregation and the lay pastors become more serious about their commitment. The Commissioning Service becomes a powerful and meaningful moment.
At that final sending moment, a new amount of energy enters their minds and hearts. They are reminded once again of the commitment they have made and the ministry to which they are being sent.
Through this experience, I have learned that motivation, preparation, equipping, and commissioning are all closely connected. Proper preparation before the training and a meaningful commissioning after the training can greatly influence the future success of the ministry.