QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Why do we need this program? There have been some reports over the past few years that we are losing more men from the pulpit each year than are entering it. My own investigation has shown that as many as 50% of our young men quit preaching within 5 years of graduating, sometimes more. Many churches across our nation are dwindling in size rather than growing. Many are turning from sound doctrine to error or a lukewarm existence. We need determined, steadfast preachers in the pulpit whose servant mindset keeps them from quitting and who have learned how to ignite a congregation to growth.

   
   

2. Don’t our colleges and preacher training schools accomplish this same goal? Our sound schools across the brotherhood do a great work in teaching the word of God to our young men. I love our schools. But, while these men are in the classroom they have no frame of reference for much of the good practical advice they receive. It is much like telling your 16 year old to drive more carefully when it is drizzling rain because the roads will be slippery. Until he skids or slips a couple of times, he does not realize the importance of your words. Most young preachers have no practical experience in dealing with people and the issues that are bound to arise when they leave school. Jesus mentored his disciples for almost three years. Paul mentored Timothy and Titus apparently for several years. Even in the Old Testament it is obvious that Elijah was a mentor to Elisha. God’s method of training preachers is to give them hands on experience with a wiser experienced man. Such men went to their death before quitting. I believe we should at least follow this same method for training such dedicated men today.

   
   

3. How does Lighting the Fire work? Lighting the Fire is about helping young preachers develop a mindset, an outlook that will keep them from becoming so discouraged or bitter that they quit preaching. The men and their families move to the congregation where I preach and work as a minister and work with me for about two years. In that time, through experience, discussion and watching, they learn how to work with people, challenge their growth and handle difficulties without imploding.

   
   

4. Who are the mentors in Lighting the Fire? Any faithful older gospel preacher can mentor a young preacher if is he so inclined. Many would do it far better than I. In Lighting the Fire, I, am the mentor for those participants who come into this program. My name is Mike Glenn. My wife and I have been preaching the gospel for 37 years. I have been blessed to do both stateside and overseas mission work involving the planting of churches. I have been through the kinds of struggles that cause many young men to leave the pulpit. I believe that I can help them with a mindset that will keep them from becoming easily discouraged.

   
   

5. Who oversees Lighting the Fire? Lighting the Fire is presently overseen by the sound eldership of the Adamsville church of Christ in Adamsville, AL. They have been active supporters in the training of gospel preachers and have been long time supporters in both my mission work and Lighting the Fire.

   
   

6. Why does it take 1-1/2 to 2 years? Because we are instilling a mindset, not just giving information, the mentoring process takes time. Jesus guided His disciples to prepare them for the challenges they would face. I could tell someone the right attitude to have in about 30 seconds. But to help them form the habit of thinking and acting the right way takes time. They have made the determination by choosing to preach, but turning the determination into a way of life takes time and focus.

   
   

7. On what areas of a preacher’s work do you concentrate? All areas. Remember that the men in this program are working as full-time preacher in the congregation with me. Our work and discussions concentrate on attitudes, skills, and industry. In that process, we will help the young preacher and family with preparation and presentation skills, right attitudes toward the brethren and themselves, effective evangelism, financial acumen, raising preacher’s children (if applicable), being an effective preacher’s wife. This is a program for the preacher’s family, not just the man.

   
   

8. What do you do that makes a difference? I am relatively sure that the difference does not come from me. As I said, many faithful older preachers, who have persevered and kept a positive outlook could mentor as well or better than I. It is the process that makes the difference. It is doing what Jesus did in training his apostles over a period of time. It is being a role model for a young man to imitate. It is young preachers learning how to work with the brethren by doing it while under the advising care of a mentor. It is taking much time to discuss circumstances, responses and results while they are happening.

   
   

9. Who should come into this program? We are molding minds to a habitual way of thinking, so this is a program for young minds that are malleable-for men who still acknowledge they need help and are willing to seek it, listen to it and respond to it. Most who come into this program will be in their twenty’s or early thirties. It is for young men who are fresh out of school so they can complete practical training in the field. It is also for discouraged preachers who need to be renewed and restored to believe in the possibilities in the work rather than the arduous realities they have experienced.

   
   

10. Who is eligible? Anyone who truly wants to preach the Word. They must be sound in doctrine. I do not have the time to debate major issues with these men though I certainly hope that in their time with me they will continue to learn the way of the Lord more perfectly. Where do participants come from? Generally, they must have completed schooling to preach (though not always). Participants may be fresh out of school or come from a work they have been in and became discouraged.

    
    

11. Can this be done without the preacher moving? Could Jesus have prepared his apostles without spending the time with them? Certainly, there is a certain level of mentoring we can all receive by contact with those who are a distance from us. But we (my wife and I) are helping the young and/or struggling men and their families to a different mindset. They must come to us.

    
    

12. What happens after Lighting the Fire? The first man in the program has now been a missionary to Romania for eight years and will return to preach in this country. This second has been in a located work for five years and appears to be there for the long run. The third will be leaving in May, 2008 as a missionary to Saipan and Tinian in the Marianas Islands. The point is, they have stayed in the pulpit and are doing good work for the Lord and they love the work of preaching. That is our goal.