The-Dock has been a dream for nearly two years. Intended initially as a way of networking leaders (particularly pastors) through teleseminars and webinars, the vision is being expanded to eventually include hard copy products such as newsletters, audio CD's and DVD's as well as a website for blogs, suggested resources and interactive forums. Particularly in the Conservative Anabaptist world where the majority of pastors are bi-vocational, continuing education must be done as efficiently as possible. Time off work for ministry in the local church often stretches the financial resources to the limit. To even consider pursuing additional, formal education is almost out of the question.
Several attempts have been made to remedy this difficulty. SMBI has an annual Minister's Week where pastors gather to study and fellowship. I personally attended this for a number of years and found it not only refreshing but also helpful. BMA has also incorporated an annual Minister's Enrichment that provides a less intensive though still informative event. This model of multi-day events for pastors is also established in many other groupings of churches. Such events often have their primary value in the social interaction they provide and the renewal and inspiration that come from spending time with colleagues. The preaching and teaching are a blessing. The costs, however, are also significant. Travel, meals, accommodations and the time away from "paying jobs" can require a significant investment of resources - both time and money.
In recent years, The Shepherd's Institute was formed to provide a week-long training time for ordained ministers. Having attended many of these myself, I note that very few are able to participate due to the demands of vocation or because of limited financial resources. All who attend such intensive study/training times give raving reviews about how helpful it is to study under seasoned pastors such topics as sermon preparation and delivery, hermeneutics, pastoral counseling, shepherding, leadership and other topics related to serving the local church. Older pastors have made such comments as, "I wish I could have had this opportunity early in my ministry."
In addition, we have a few seasoned, well-educated pastors who have much to contribute. The-Dock.com is intended to become a place to tie-up for brief periods of time to listen, think, reflect and learn from seasoned people who have been on the voyage of life for years. It is hoped that seasoned leaders can both teach from their fields of expertise and then interact with guests and subscribers through regular Q&A sessions and other interactive forums. Some of it will take place in live events while many of these events will also be made available afterward for those who could not participate on the live schedule.
This is only a rather hurried and brief launch, but more information will be coming in the next several weeks. Meanwhile, please visit us on Facebook or at our WebPage. If you visit our current webpage, please submit your name and email address on our "Submit Contact Info" link and we will update you as the project develops.
