Over the year-end break, 62 men with their wives attended a three-day live-in seminar at the GSP Camp Alano in Toril, Davao City. Conducted by UCG Mindanao pastor Edmond D. Macaraeg, this UCG Mindanao Discipleship Seminar was held from December 25 to 27. The sessions were held from 8 a.m. to noon and from 2 to 6 p.m. Evening sessions were also held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

According to Mr. Macaraeg, this seminar was born of the “need for unified, intensified, and systematic discipleship training to fulfill the commission to provide laborers for the harvest.” Presently, there are 19 congregations being served by these men and women. Mr. Macaraeg decided to take the opportunity to get everybody together for this intensive seminar, knowing that most people would be available during this time of the year.

And why the word “discipleship”? According to Mr. Macaraeg, the term “discipleship” was chosen rather than “leadership” because “disciple/s” [mathetes in Greek] is the predominant word used in Scripture, mentioned a total of 273 times in the KJV, as opposed to “leader/s,” which is only mentioned six times.” Interestingly, the only time “leader/s” is mentioned in the New Testament is in reference to the “blind leaders of the blind” (Matthew 15:14)! Mr. Macaraeg emphasized that before God uses a person as a leader, he must first learn to be a faithful learner or follower. For one to be given the title of “leader” prematurely—without having first learned faithful discipleship—could result in pride, abuse of authority, and leading other people astray, rather than godly leadership.

The topics with handouts covered in the live discussions were the following:
· What is a Disciple According to Christ?
· How to Recognize those Being Called to Ministry
· Bible Requirements for a Minister
· The Role and Importance of a Minister’s Wife
· Performance Standards for a Candidate’s Wife
· Why Promote and Practice Godly Leadership?
· Self-Centered versus Godly Leadership
· Congregational Structure
· Pastoring Small Congregations
· Proposed Committees for Local Congregations
· Basic Principles of Song-Leading (with workshop)
· How to give Opening and Closing Prayers
· Giving Sermonettes
· Introduction to Difficult Scriptures (31 pages)
· Sabbath & Bible Study Attire Standards
· Conducting Passover Ceremonies
· Financial Report Forms
· Sabbath & Attendance Report Forms
· Other Forms: Membership, Sabbath Excuse, Radio Monitoring Report, etc.

Other topics given out as hand-out materials were:
· Faithful Stewardship (15 pages)
· Church Pastor’s Job Description (4 pages)
· Duties of a Church Pastor (2 pages)
· Barnes Notes on 2 Corinthians 12:15 (1 page)
· Ministerial Code of Ethics (2 pages)
· Biblical Guidelines for an Elder’s Wife (1 page)
· The Heart of a Leader (8 pages)
· Format for New Testament Services (10 pages)
· Developing Judgment and Wisdom (2 pages)

(A lot of these handouts and materials were taken from the Asia Leadership Seminar conducted last July by Mr. Richard Pinelli, Mr. Lyle Welty, and Mr. Joel Meeker.)

The evenings were used for more seminars, personal consultations, or fellowshipping. On Sunday evening, a welcome dinner was held for all participants. On Monday evening, the Philippine United Youth Camp 2006 video was shown to all present, followed by an educational video, Unlocking the Mystery of Life. On Tuesday evening, a health seminar entitled “Why Do We Who Eat ‘Clean Meats’ Still Get Sick?” was conducted. Wednesday evening was dedicated for personal counseling and consultations. These consultations were continued on the morning of Thursday, the day of departure. Before leaving, exit surveys were accomplished and turned in by the participants. Some also took the opportunity to drop by the Philippine National Office before going home.

The feedback showed that the sessions were very helpful and very much appreciated by everyone. All the comments indicated that the overall impact of the seminar had been very positive. As a result, more follow-up seminars are being envisioned: during the legal holidays in April; during evenings on the Feast of Tabernacles, and during the year-end break. We continue to seek God’s leading and blessing, as well as the prayers of all the brethren, as we strive to do His will and finish His Work.