THE IMPORTANCE OF PROPER TRAINING BEFORE JOINING THE WORKPLACE OR MINISTRY
Some people may not see the value and importance of proper training before entering the workplace or ministry. Yet, even when there were no modern schools as we know them today, the Old Testament shows that there were communities or schools for the sons of the prophets.
2 Kings 6:1–2
“The company of the prophets said to Elisha, ‘Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.’ And he said, ‘Go.’”
SOME PEOPLE DON'T SEE THE NEED FOR WELL-TRAINED CHURCH MINISTERS OR WORKERS
To them, the following are some of the reasons they don't see the need for training:
1. Belief that calling, natural talent, and personal devotion are enough to serve effectively.
To them, God-given talents and passion replace the need for structured instruction and preparation.
2. Lack of resources — especially money.
Some people would like to pursue training but cannot afford the required fees, books, transport, accommodation, or other costs.
3. Time constraints.
Some feel too busy with work, family, or existing church responsibilities to commit themselves to additional classes or training programs.
4. Perceived irrelevance.
Some view standard training programs as overly academic, outdated, or disconnected from practical, everyday work or ministry.
5. Satisfaction with their current status.
Some assume that their present level of knowledge or past experience means they already do a “good enough” job and therefore do not need further training.
6. The “call is enough” mindset.
Some argue that the Holy Spirit's guidance or a direct calling is the only true prerequisite for leadership and service. They may believe that because their abilities are God-given, they do not need further human training.
WHY PROPER TRAINING IS NECESSARY FOR MINISTRY AND WORK
1. Enhanced skills.
Proper training provides practical abilities that can make you better, more effective, and more efficient in your work or ministry.
2. Sharpened expertise.
Training helps you serve people better. When people benefit from what you do and are treated competently, it can reduce dissatisfaction, misunderstandings, and unnecessary conflicts.
3. Higher confidence.
Knowing how to use the right tools or handle difficult tasks reduces stress and gives you greater confidence. You do not have to make serious mistakes with people first before learning what you should have known beforehand. Proper training allows you to be prepared before serving the first person or performing the first task.
4. Adaptability.
Training keeps you prepared for new technologies, changing circumstances, and developments in your profession or ministry so that your skills do not become outdated.
5. Productivity.
Well-trained workers generally make fewer mistakes, waste less time, and complete tasks more efficiently.
6. Higher retention.
When companies and ministries invest in learning and development, employees and ministers can feel valued and better prepared to serve. On-the-job learning without proper foundations can sometimes produce improper attitudes, poor practices, damaged relationships, and fear of trying new things.
7. Stronger leadership.
Training programs can help organizations identify and develop people with the ability to take on future leadership responsibilities.
8. Stronger and more compelling relevance.
A skilled team is better prepared to respond to changes and challenges in the workplace or ministry. Competence also strengthens the credibility of an organization and reduces legitimate reasons for people to question its effectiveness.
THE BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE
There is a very interesting instruction in the Bible concerning the construction of the temple:
1 Kings 6:7
“In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.”
The temple site was quiet and peaceful because the work that would have caused all the noise had been done somewhere else.
That is one of the beautiful pictures of what training does.
Training prepares the worker before the actual work begins. It allows mistakes to be corrected, skills to be developed, and people to learn how to work together before they are placed in situations where their mistakes can affect others.
Proper preparation can therefore bring greater order and peace during actual work or ministry because the worker has been prepared somewhere else and is now ready to fit into the team.
2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The biblical principle is clear: God's calling does not eliminate the need for preparation.
WE SHOULD ALL DESIRE PROPERLY TRAINED LEADERS AND WORKERS
If we are choosing leaders or workers, we should desire people who are properly prepared. And if we are the ones being called to serve, we should seek to become as well-trained and competent as possible.
In this temporary life, if you were told that a surgeon was not properly trained, you would not want him or her to perform surgery on you or your child.
If you knew that a pilot was not properly trained, you would probably not want to board that pilot's plane.
How much more should we value proper preparation in those who handle matters affecting eternity and who make daily decisions that affect people's lives, families, work, relationships, and destinies?
Calling is important.
Passion is important.
Natural ability is important.
Spiritual devotion is important.
But proper preparation is also important.
We should not wait until we are already serving people to discover what we should have learned before serving them.
Let us desire trained leaders. Let us support training. And let us seek to be properly prepared for whatever responsibility God has entrusted to us. zeal is a wonderful thing, but it must be based on proper knowledge.
Romans 10:2
[2]For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
ELIJAH MUTUA KIRIMA.
PASTOR.
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD.
