Preacher’s School inspires students

By Karen L. Willoughby

SALMON VALLEY, Idaho – More than 60 people (including four pastors) from Idaho plus one pastor and two laypeople from Utah participated in a May 4-5 Preacher’s School at Salmon Valley Baptist Church.

Not just for pastors, “Preacher’s School” was started about 14 years ago by Mike Palmer, pastor of Salmon Valley Baptist Church, to help people develop skills that would enable them to more effectively than ever before “communicate the only message that can truly change a person’s life,” according to the first page of several printed materials.

  “We’re doing an entire semester [of seminary-level training] tonight and tomorrow,” Tyler Baker told his listeners. Baker is associate pastor at Salmon Valley Baptist and co-leader with Palmer of the materials.

This year a worship track was added, led by Wes Dykes, dean of music at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for those interested in learning more about leading a church to more completely glorify God.

“The material from preacher school is applicable in every area of ministry that involves teaching the Word,” Scott Plath told UI Connections. He’s pastor of South Fork (Idaho) Outdoorsmen Church.

“From children’s church to small groups to men’s and women’s ministry, etc., the aim of every ministry at South Fork is based on the teaching of the word,” Plath continued. “Bringing all those folks was an effort in being obedient to the Ephesians 4 call on pastors to ‘equip the saints for the work of ministry.’”

After an introductory time laced with Palmer’s signature joviality – appreciated with attendees’ hearty laughter – the preaching and worship groups split.

More than half the men and women stayed with the preaching group. Not that the women were there to become preachers, Clairice Michael told UI Connections.

“This helps me how to comprehend the Bible better,” said Michael, a former Mormon who identifies as “a born-again Christian attending a Southern Baptist church.”

Her husband David Michael, a former Sunday school teacher and now pastor of Grace at Riverside Church in Pocatello, Idaho, told UI Connections, “I really like it. I’ve been here for almost every one since I became pastor [in 2016.] It gives you a new perspective. 

“It puts you back on track,” the pastor clarified. 

“You can’t give away what you don’t have,” Baker told the attendees. “One of the most noble pursuits a child of God can embark upon is to get to know and understand God better.”

The term “Preacher’s School” suggests the seminar is to equip men to be better pastors, but rather, it’s several quick lessons in how to study the Bible with more intent, to be equipped to correctly handle the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15.)

It’s a study equally applicable to leaders of small groups and Bible studies as it is to pastors.

In an adjacent classroom, Dykes told his students, “If we want worship services where there is active and eager participation, four things must be present.”

While Joshua Grosse-Helweg’s wife Helena was engaged in the worship track, Joshua, with his wife a member of Silver Sage Baptist Church in Boise, was enthralled with the preaching study. 

“It’s amazing,” the 20-something told UI Connections. “It’s changed my life. I’ve been a Christ-follower all my life, but coming to this class lit a fire. 

“It’s definitely got me to dig deeper, to expand my knowledge and get deeper into the Word of God,” Grosse-Helweg continued, an attender for the second year of Preacher’s School. “Formerly I was pretty much just going to church on Sunday. Now I’m reading the Bible every day.”

Intensive Bible Study

One of the most effective and simple approaches to reading and understanding God’s Word has just three steps, each of which starts with prayer for the Holy Spirit to bring clarity to observation, interpretation and application. 

Baker led Friday evening’s explanation of each of the three steps, which turned into a total of seven mini-lectures with much student interaction. Palmer led Saturday’s equally animated application of the methodology.

“Jesus is the central focus of the Word of God,” Palmer told his avid listeners. One fascinating document, provided under “Additional Resources,” explains how Jesus is found in every book of the Bible, Old and New Testament alike.

Palmer led in the steps to preparing a sermon (or Bible study) based on Ezra 7:10, John 14:1-6, and John 3:16-18 with spirited discussion as each of seven aspects was completed. He skillfully encouraged each respondent, even as he gently guided or corrected them.

This was the largest and perhaps most engaged Preacher’s School he has led, Palmer told UI Connections, as evidenced by the students’ “interaction and the quality of it, and the feedback.

“Out in the hall just now, one guy told me he usually spends four hours on Saturdays putting together a sermon, ‘and today I did three in three hours,’ he said,” according to Palmer.

At one point Palmer asked students sitting at rows of tables why they wanted to attend Preacher’s School.

Among responses, “to learn to get deeper into the Word,” “to understand the Word better,” “to grow more in the Lord,” “to sharpen my tools,” “to prepare myself to teach,” as well as, “I’m studying to be a disciple and to make disciple-makers,” plus another: “I’ve been a lover of God for many years, and I’m looking for ways to continue to share the gospel with others.”

Preacher School was started out of need, Palmer said: “The need to raise up supply preachers in our rural context and the need to better equip and raise up teachers and preachers.” 

The worship track was started for much of the same reason, Palmer added. “The majority of our churches have volunteer worship leaders. This provides training to encourage them and strengthen their skills.” 

Comprehensive Worship

In the Worship track, Dykes said in order to have active and eager participation during worship services, there needs to be the right priority, an orderly progression, correct perception and the congregation’s individual passion for worship.

In worship, “God needs to be exalted, listeners edified, and the lost, evangelized,” Dykes taught.

An orderly progression of worship elements is biblical, the professor continued. Thanksgiving, followed by praise and worship are to undergird all aspects of the worship service.

A passion for worship, for “things of God,” is caught rather than taught, but it stems from preaching and teaching that exalts God, is sensitive to the Holy Spirit and that is committed to being a Christ-follower.

“Never quit studying,” Dykes said. “Keep practicing, and share with others for mutual growth and biblical insights.”

Preacher’s School was sponsored by Salmon Valley Baptist Church, Eastern Idaho Baptist Association and the Utah Idaho Southern Baptist Convention.