A growing number of mission trips and mission events involve training. This is a wonderful development since quality training is greatly needed almost everywhere in the world.
But then, how should we decide what to teach? Generally, there are two types of approaches, the standardized and the customized.
Standardization: Focus on Content
When a church or mission team becomes involved in training events one of the first concerns is what content should be taught. Attention is given to what the the pastor or mission leaders know how to teach, are good at teaching, or something about which they are passionate. Favorite topics are theology, methods for evangelism and discipleship systems.
Once curriculum is found or developed that teaches the needed information, the next concerns are its accessibility, reproducibility and, additionally, how to perpetuate it as a program, especially if multiple trips and events are planned. Standardized curriculum works well for this and can easily gain supporters and advocates.
If everything goes according to hopes and plans, the material becomes widely used and appreciated. A successful program will be a tremendous help to thousands of people. And for this we are truly thankful to the Lord!
Even so, might there be a more valuable approach to training, in certain contexts? What would the national Christian leaders identify as their most crucial training needs? How do desires for relationship, and expectations of resources, impact acceptance or rejection of our training materials and events? Where does the standardized content fit well, and where does it miss the mark?
Customization: Focus on Context
What if, instead of focusing on the content we are able to deliver, we focused on the ministry context and asked our partners what they really want, and need?
Then we can design training that will be more valuable and more valued. It will take more work procuring what is needed, rather than just looking at what we have to offer. But this gives our partners more options; and it has the potential to meet more critical training needs and address their top priorities. When this happens the national leaders will be highly motivated to use what they learned and multiply the training.
We will need to keep on asking our partners what they want in order to reach a deeper understanding and gain a more complete picture of their situation. We must be able to continually adjust to changing needs and developing situations. And we must allow for modifications of our material, and trust our partners in this.
Most likely our national partners will be recipients of information from a number of standardized trainings and quality conferences. This is a good combination for them, because they will want to discuss it with us and have us help them process and apply what they learned. Often what is wanted more than anything is relationship, friendship and ministry mentoring.
Move To A Higher Level
Standardized trainings are valuable, but they are used too often and relied upon too much. Making the effort to customize training will produce more helpful and effective training events, and ultimately be more satisfying and influential.
Both approaches to training are sorely needed, and sometimes even both in the same location. However, the standardized approach to training is often favored because it is easier to explain what we are doing and teaching, requires less personal involvement, and lends itself to measurable reporting.
Consider moving toward a more customized approach. Suits come in many different sizes when purchased off the rack, yet nothing fits as comfortably as a suit tailor-made.
But then, how should we decide what to teach? Generally, there are two types of approaches, the standardized and the customized.
Standardization: Focus on Content
When a church or mission team becomes involved in training events one of the first concerns is what content should be taught. Attention is given to what the the pastor or mission leaders know how to teach, are good at teaching, or something about which they are passionate. Favorite topics are theology, methods for evangelism and discipleship systems.
Once curriculum is found or developed that teaches the needed information, the next concerns are its accessibility, reproducibility and, additionally, how to perpetuate it as a program, especially if multiple trips and events are planned. Standardized curriculum works well for this and can easily gain supporters and advocates.
If everything goes according to hopes and plans, the material becomes widely used and appreciated. A successful program will be a tremendous help to thousands of people. And for this we are truly thankful to the Lord!
Even so, might there be a more valuable approach to training, in certain contexts? What would the national Christian leaders identify as their most crucial training needs? How do desires for relationship, and expectations of resources, impact acceptance or rejection of our training materials and events? Where does the standardized content fit well, and where does it miss the mark?
Customization: Focus on Context
What if, instead of focusing on the content we are able to deliver, we focused on the ministry context and asked our partners what they really want, and need?
Then we can design training that will be more valuable and more valued. It will take more work procuring what is needed, rather than just looking at what we have to offer. But this gives our partners more options; and it has the potential to meet more critical training needs and address their top priorities. When this happens the national leaders will be highly motivated to use what they learned and multiply the training.
We will need to keep on asking our partners what they want in order to reach a deeper understanding and gain a more complete picture of their situation. We must be able to continually adjust to changing needs and developing situations. And we must allow for modifications of our material, and trust our partners in this.
Most likely our national partners will be recipients of information from a number of standardized trainings and quality conferences. This is a good combination for them, because they will want to discuss it with us and have us help them process and apply what they learned. Often what is wanted more than anything is relationship, friendship and ministry mentoring.
Move To A Higher Level
Standardized trainings are valuable, but they are used too often and relied upon too much. Making the effort to customize training will produce more helpful and effective training events, and ultimately be more satisfying and influential.
Both approaches to training are sorely needed, and sometimes even both in the same location. However, the standardized approach to training is often favored because it is easier to explain what we are doing and teaching, requires less personal involvement, and lends itself to measurable reporting.
Consider moving toward a more customized approach. Suits come in many different sizes when purchased off the rack, yet nothing fits as comfortably as a suit tailor-made.
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