Center for Pastoral Renewal (CPR) was launched by Rev. Dr. Hukashe Jhimomi, President of Nagaland Baptist Church Council at NBCC Platinum Hall, Bayavü Hill, Kohima on January 17, 2018. The objective of CPR is to facilitate holistic renewal in the life and ministry of the church.
The Concept of CPR
The Center for Pastoral Renewal (CPR) is an initiative of Oriental Theological Seminary (OTS) envisioning the need of our contemporary churches, especially for those who engage in pastoral leadership, and also for those preparing to embark in pastoral ministry. With a multi-faceted agenda, CPR intends to reach out to pastors and leaders in church ministry for their renewal, recreation, rejuvenation and retreat, and by the same token, equip potential pastors towards formation in their vocation.
The church is always in need of revitalization and the primary key to keeping the church vibrant, informed, and renewed is the responsibility of those in pastoral leadership. Leaders who minister the people of God from a ‘running stream’ than from a ‘stagnant pond’ alone can nourish and flourish the body of Christ. Consequently, CPR focuses on emotional, spiritual, relational, and skill renewal for those people in the ministry already, and those preparing for one. The following 4 themes are the primary focus of CPR:
Pastoral Formation
Rationale: Application is the central reason for teaching and learning (Bruce Wilkinson). Theological Education devoid of effective and practical implementation loses much of its meaning and purpose. Seminary education must find relevance in the churches and mission fields where classroom learning is translated into praxis. One of the primary causes of the crisis in education is “content-centered education.” By and large, “knowing” is the essence of being educated. However, the real issue is, not how much you know, but what you do with what you know. Accumulation of knowledge without application is worthless. Therefore, CPR intends to engage qualified pastors in the educational process of the students in the Seminary. In other words, bring the Church to the classrooms.
Application: Selected Pastors will be inducted in Adjunct Faculty Status for the equipping of the current students in the field of pastoral ministry through intensive modular format. Furthermore, to deepen the mentoring process, spaces for internship will be explored within local churches of those participating pastors.
Continuing Education
Rationale: Growth is a lifelong process especially for Christian ministers. As we grow, we serve; and conversely, as we serve, we grow. Howard Hendricks opines that, “If one stops growing today, one must stop teaching tomorrow.” This is a serious concern in ministry. Undeniably, many ministers in Naga context cease to be learners once they enter the ministry. Besides this faulty mindset, facility for continuing education for pastors in ministry is still rare. Therefore, CPR is a potential facility for pastors and ministerial staff (inclusive of lay leaders) for a lifelong learning so as to be well equipped to navigate the 21st century churches. CPR will venture to the local churches and Associations to facilitate degree oriented education, seminars, workshops, and the like.
Application: Refreshers Course - This program for Pastors and Pastoral Staff especially in the rural areas will be conducted quarterly at the headquarters of the Associations or hosted by area councils or local church.
Structured Course - A total of six modular courses in three years leading towards an MA diploma. Besides the cohort, the structure entails personal research and reflection. Mobile School - Build partnership with Associations and local churches with modalities for equipping church leaders. This component is offered to both lay leaders and clergies. Relevant subjects such as, Basic Counseling, Church Administration, Worship & Homiletics, Christian Education, Church History, Ministerial Ethics, Spiritual Formation, Christian Doctrines, and so forth will be offered.
Resource Sharing
Rationale: In order to fulfill our Lord Jesus Christ’s command to “bear one another’s burden” in the body of Christ (Galatians 6:2), CPR will facilitate the networking of marginalized rural and affluent urban churches with the sole aim to share resources with each other.
Application: Areas of needs will be identified, so that members of both the rural and urban churches can participate in mutual fellowship, sharing, and witness. Urban churches may also adopt rural churches with the intent to enrich and strengthen them.
Retreat
Rationale: Balancing work and leisure is imperative for ministerial renewal. Ministry in contemporary situation is so overwhelming that many Christian ministers consciously or unconsciously go through levels of burnout or ‘Compassion Fatigue.’ Facilitating Christians in pastoral ministry to cope with the contemporary challenges in ministry has become a priority.
Application: Facilitate pastors and pastoral staff, deacons and deaconesses, and departmental leaders for time out for rejuvenation. Infrastructure for this program will be consciously developed at OTS campus. Retreat will include recreational activities, such as, games and sports, sharing ministerial experiences, devotion and Bible Study, Q & A sessions, and so forth.
“So that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:17 (NIV)
Contact us@ OTS, Bade, Post Box 64, Dimapur Nagaland – 797 112 cpr@otsnagaland.edu.in Phone # +91 9383149503
