Each annual conference under Manila Episcopal Area is charged to  facilitate leadership and ministry development for both clergy and laity. This is the challenge that Southwest Cavite District (SWCD) of Philippines Annual Conference Cavite (PACC) is rising to. SWCD is at the forefront of developing a Training Movement that seeks to address emerging theological and ministry needs.

Methodism started as a movement under the passionate leadership of John Wesley. I am certain that if we do not act promptly and accordingly, this movement founded by our forebears shall stagnate simply as a religious institution that needs only to be maintained.

Despite the contributions of our theological seminary and other related institutions in preparing and equipping our church workers in effective ministerial and theological work, we must also recognize the emerging need for more schools and training centers. The growing demand by clergy and laity for training and theological advancement should be accessible within each conference. This is one of the great factors for growth in all aspects in the life of the church.

Few annual conferences are developing concepts for training schools of ministry for both  clergy and laity. I hope that we can unify our efforts and mobilize all conferences to act as one that this aspiration will become a reality. It will be a great leap for us in developing a new breed of leadership beginning this quadrennium.

A survey and a SWOT analysis of all local churches in SWCD were undertaken. The survey assisted in assessing and/or gauging the present situation, leading to the conceptualisation of a Training Movement that will respond and address these needs. Some important issues that resulted from the survey include:

1. poor facilities and lack of equipment to sustain and/or promote effective ministry;
2. a need to acquire their own lot to build a sanctuary for worship;
3. lack of discipline particularly with time management;
4. few churches conducting regular prayer meetings and most of them generally experience poor attendance;
5. poor attendance in Sunday worship and Sunday school;
6. some churches are not strategically located resulting in very poor membership;
7. lack of training in doing mission work and evangelism for lay people and some workers;
8. sustainability in equipping and developing clergy and lay leadership;
9. lack of available teaching materials for Sunday school;
10. confirmation and membership classes and Bible studies that will address their immediate context;
11. poor effort in creating ministries intended for involving lay people’s participation in the life of the church; and
12. poor effort in promoting stewardship of time, talent and treasure.

To alleviate these concerns and reduce their negative impact, programs are now being developed aggressively towards the establishment of a Training Movement for  both clergy and laity. This is now a joint project of the District Committee on Lay Speaking & Committee on Ordained Ministry. They have initially come up with Trainers’ Institute of Southwest Cavite District or TISCAD.

A training module that will serve as a curriculum based on important subject has been outlined. A series of consultations with resource persons were also conducted, helping to develop the curriculum and in preparation of materials. It is our fervent hope that this initiative will elicit support, eventually making the movement not only able to cater to biblical, theological and ministerial needs of the church but also to become an arm for mission and evangelism.

This is true and applicable not only to SWCD but also to other annual conferences comprising MEA. This Training Movement can be a springboard from which support can be elicited from those concerned, inspiring more conferences within the connection to work hand in hand until the same becomes an Episcopal area-wide movement.

Rev. Manalo is currently the superintendent of Southwest Cavite Disctrict,  PAC-Cavite. -Editor