This is our course for those who are currently leading a microchurch and seeking eldership. This course is designed around a 12 month modular curriculum focused on topics we’ve found to be particularly helpful when directing a missional community. We’ve structured Elders in Training in such a way that allows you to jump in at any month and immediately take part in the training. We meet at 6:30 on the first Monday of every month (excluding December). Our sessions combine a mixture of lecture, discussion, and reflection. Following each class, you’re given homework which helps you contextualize the topic for that month. We charge a one time cost of $50 for the the 11 month course.
You’re welcome to look over the curriculum and read over the course in finer detail.
Ecclesiology
This class will look at the legacy of the church, explore primitive ecclesiology, and offer a model to help microchurches build church structures that bring the kingdom into the city.
Values
This class will look at the values which serve as the galvanizing declaration of our collective heart. We’ll consider each one, reflect on it’s presence in our life and microchurch, and explore ways of passing them on.
Authority
This class will look at the the general theory of authority and its presence and call as found in scripture. We’ll also explore the more practical view of authority and give you a chance to test our your understanding.
The Poor
This class will look at our value and scripture's teaching on the poor, the complexity of poverty, God's priority for the poor, a brief history of the poor, and an apologetic to help you articulate our call to the poor.
Word and prayer
This class will look our the contemplative disciplines of spending time with Jesus in his Word and through prayer and consider the call an elder has to be in the word and be able to serve it to those they lead.
CONFLICT
This class will cover the biblical perspective of conflict, consider how a microchurch is to handle these issues, talk about the process of removal and how to steward conflict according to the Gospel.
Mission & Multiplication
This class will look at the calling of God and our microchurch’s participation therein, several ideas to help facilitate the planning and fostering of growth, and offer illustrations to help think through the design and architecture of microchurch multiplication.
COMMUNITY
This class will look at the origins of community, explore how it’s carried out and fostered to be what it’s meant to be, consider the different ways community can express itself and direct you in ways to better facilitate ‘communitas.’
Evangelism
This class will look at our value of the lost, the idea and theology of evangelism, the different dynamics of the the Gospel story, and offer tools and strategies to help you and your people to communicate the Good News.
Polity
This class will look briefly at systems theory, examine the three main governments in which the church expresses usually expresses itself, illustrate the bipartite polity of the Underground, and lead you in homework to understand your fit.
