The MTS Series: An Introduction | CERC Blog | Christ Evangelical Reformed Church (CERC)

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The MTS Series: An Introduction

Posted on 27 Aug 2013 by Jerome Leng


People often ask me, “What do you actually do?”

After 3 years of being an MTS-er, I think I can finally answer that question. MTS was a mystery to me when I started and it is only in retrospect that I can now describe what I actually did and I should have done.

Since many have wondered about this program and because of its pivotal role in training future Elders and Pastors in CERC, I wanted to write something about the program for you so that you may understand how it builds up God’s Church.

The MTS series will cover:

  1. What is MTS?
  2. Why do MTS?
  3. Reflections of a 3rd Year MTS-er
  4. What I would have done differently if I could do MTS all over again
  5. To future MTS-ers

To a certain extent, a lot of what I have to say are based on my personal reflections from the program.

These do not and indeed cannot capture the ‘fullness’ of the program. MTS is based on principles that are applied variedly as each individual differs in the gifts and personalities that God has blessed them with. God’s calling of the men and women into full time paid ministry and the paths that he sets for each person by His Spirit will result in various expressions of what this program actually is.

In fact, MTS is not so much about the program than it is about the people who go through the program; the people in whom God so graciously works in and through for the sake of His glory. In other words, the program only has its usefulness in so far as the Holy Spirit superintends it and causes each MTS-er to bear fruit.

So it is in the spirit of giving God the glory that He deserves that I would like to share with you the Spirit’s work as he took me through this significant period, not just in being tried for ministry or considering future Eldership, but simply, being Christian.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14, ESV)

 

Jerome praying