IS THAT A CASKET IN THE CORNER?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 11, 2010

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Often the first day of class is filled with trepidation as professors introduce the semester's coursework, but can you imagine what goes through the minds of young men when they are greeted by a shiny gray and white casket sitting in the corner of their classroom?

Hundreds of baptisms, communions, weddings and funerals have taken place on the campus of The Baptist College of Florida (BCF) in Graceville, Fla., throughout its 66 year history, because of the pastoral leadership classes. Anyone seeking a ministry degree at BCF must take the course, consisting of lessons in leadership, worship, administration of the Lord's Supper, baptisms, as well as officiating weddings and funerals.

This practical training course is both daunting and exciting for first time pastors and even those with previous exposure. "I have 10 years of experience as a pastor, but never liked funerals. It is difficult to think about the heartache involved," said freshman David Ellis. Each student is required to present three funeral sermons before the end of the semester. The sermons are planned for the death of a child or infant, the untimely death of a teenager, and the death of an unsaved adult.

While the funeral sermons are said to be the most challenging part of the course, sophomore Donald Files said, "Baptism is the most thrilling part of the class because it shows the evangelistic process at work. To move from an audience member to the officiant's position, you get to see the completion of work as people are saved and continue through with believer's baptism."

Typically when a church calls a pastor, they expect him to know how to preach, perform weddings, baptisms, funerals and communion. BCF not only teaches ministers techniques for effective preaching, but provides practical applications for all of the pastoral ministry responsibilities within a church. "Performing baptisms, weddings and funerals are all a humbling experience, they are ways the Lord uses us in His work," said Ellis.

Preaching Professor Ed Scott is teaching the course this semester and Files says, "He doesn't just give information or instructions; he backs it up with experiences covering many different aspects of service." One of the aspects thoroughly covered is what pastor search committees are seeking from potential ministers. "We have learned that there is a process to becoming an effective minister," stated Carl Basey, BCF sophomore. "First we must be preachers, then pastors, and lastly, leaders. You have to earn leadership."

"The great thing about this course is its practicality and the confidence we leave with," said Ellis.

Files summed up the heart of this program when he said, "You can make mistakes in the classroom, but to go into the field, into a church, knowing that when we encounter that first baptism, wedding, communion or funeral, it won't be our first time, gives us an invaluable sense of peace."

The pastoral ministry leadership course is conducted in the restored Pine Park Church from Cairo, Ga., which was relocated to Heritage Village in 2007. It houses the preaching lab and consists of a preaching podium, regular size baptistery, and an actual casket donated from the local funeral home.