A New Seminary in Hawaii?

This week, I’m joining with pastors from six island churches for certification training by the Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development. Antioch is a great organization that helps local churches develop theological training programs where pastors and church leaders can receive accredited bachelors and masters degrees in ministry and theology.

Currently, leaders in Hawaii have three options for theological education:

  1. Go to a local Bible college (which is fairly expensive, and options are limited)
  2. Go to a mainland seminary (which is very expensive, and usually takes leaders out of their ministries for 4-5 years)
  3. Get an online degree (which means little or no personal contact with teachers and fellow students)

We think there’s a better solution. Local churches must reclaim their biblical duty to proactively train gospel-centered, reproducing leaders. This is the priority Paul exhorted Timothy to uphold in the church of Ephesus: “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).

We’re dreaming of a partnership of local churches in Hawaii who can establish an apprenticeship approach to ministry training, modeled after Paul’s personal investment in rising leaders like Timothy and Titus, whose progression can be seen in Scripture:

  • (2 Cor. 7:6) Titus is a friend who encourages Paul
  • (2 Cor 7:13) Titus is overwhelmed by the ministry of the Macedonians
  • (2 Cor. 8:6) Titus is a faithful worker carrying out the wishes of Paul
  • (2 Cor. 8:16-17) Titus develops a heart for ministry and initiates ministry on his own
  • (2 Cor. 8:23,12:17) Titus is a proven minister
  • (Titus 1:4-5) Titus is sent to appoint elders & plant churches on Crete.

Hawaii is the only state in America where church attendance is growing faster than the population. The need for healthy, well-trained church leaders to guide these new believers is severe.

So please pray for our time together this week. And pray that God would raise up many new leaders in Hawaii who are able to “hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9).