SBTC hosts transitional pastor training

ODESSA?The minister-church relations department of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention held a transitional pastor training in Odessa Aug. 1-2 that drew 49 pastors from Texas, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico and one from as far away as Canada.

This was a certification training segment done in cooperation with LifeWay Christian Resources and the SBTC.

On any given Sunday in Texas, there will be over 200 SBTC churches without pastors. Transitional pastors are equipped to assist a church with more than preaching. They can counsel with church leaders, assess church needs, supervise staff, provide pastoral care and manage conflict, said Mike Smith, the SBTC’s director of minister-church relations. The goal is to work with church leaders to help the church become as healthy as possible.

Odessa was the fourth such event in 2010, and one more is scheduled for Dec. 6-7. For more information, contact the SBTC MCR department toll-free at 877-953-7282 (SBTC) or visit sbtexas.com/mcr.