The Art of Ministry and Leadership
Formation Rhythms (Year 1)
Participants will commit to the following practices during their first year. These are designed to cultivate the theological clarity, Christlike character, and shepherding wisdom that are necessary for faithful ministry leadership.
Scripture Memorization
Memorize the assigned Scripture passages each week. Internalizing God’s Word will shape your leadership instincts, wisdom, endurance, and faithfulness. This will be reviewed informally through journals and coaching conversations, with an emphasis on internalization and application.
Spiritual Journal
Submit a weekly journal reflecting on your Scripture intake, doctrinal formation, leadership pressures, obedience, and heart awareness. Journals will be assessed for faithfulness, thought, and gospel-centered reflection, and will serve as a primary tool in spiritual coaching conversations and leadership readiness discernment.
Shepherding & Accountability (Year 1)
Spiritual Coaching
Meet with a spiritual coach once every eight weeks for prayer, reflection, encouragement, and accountability. Coaching conversations will focus on spiritual health, leadership character, items from your journals, project development, and readiness for increasing responsibility in ministry.
Ministry Observation & Debrief
Once per quarter, observe a ministry context (e.g., elder meeting, counseling session, hospital visit, leadership meeting, conflict conversation, or teaching setting). Participants will submit a short written debrief reflecting on:
- What they observed
- What Scripture and doctrine were most relevant
- What they would emulate
- What they would approach differently
These observations are discussed with a coach and are intended to cultivate discernment and pastoral judgment.
Formation Projects (Year 1)
Participants will complete four core projects, which are due at the end of their first year. These projects will function as formative assessments, integrating doctrine, Scripture, and shepherding skills.
Personal Doctrinal Statement
Participants must write a paper that articulates their doctrinal convictions covering the core loci of Christian theology (Scripture, God, humanity and sin, and Christ). This statement must be written in the participant’s words, grounded in Scripture, and include brief pastoral implications for ministry. This will serve as a foundation for doctrinal review and oral examination.
Ministry Case Responses
Participants will also write short responses based on ministry scenarios. Each response must demonstrate theological clarity, pastoral judgment, and shepherding instinct by addressing:
- The primary doctrinal issues at stake
- Key Scriptures shaping the response
- What should be said first
- What should not yet be said, and why
These cases are reviewed formatively and discussed with a coach.
Exegetical Paper
Participants will write an exegetical paper on a given text, completed in connection with Grasping God’s Word. The paper must demonstrate:
- Faithful interpretation of the biblical text
- Awareness of context and structure
- Theological significance
- Pastoral application appropriate for preaching, teaching, or counseling
This project emphasizes handling the Word accurately and responsibly for the sake of the church.
Orals Preparation & Doctrinal Review
During the final quarter of Year One, participants will engage in a focused season of doctrinal review. This includes:
- Revising their Personal Doctrinal Statement
- Clarifying explanations of key doctrines
- Identifying common doctrinal distortions and their consequences
This work functions as formal preparation for oral examinations at the conclusion of Year Two, where participants will be evaluated by pastors and ministry leaders on doctrinal clarity, conviction, and ministry instincts.
Spiritual Coaching Check-In’s
Formal spiritual coaching check-in’s occur at the conclusion of each quarter:
- Week 8 – Review of spiritual formation and Personal Doctrinal Statement
- Week 16 – Review of ministry cases and leadership growth
- Week 24 – Review of exegetical work and ministry observations
- Week 32 – Doctrinal review and readiness assessment for Year Two
First Quarter (September – October)
The Gospel & Evangelism
- Week 1: What Is the Gospel
- Week 2: Creation and Sin
- Week 3: God’s Faithfulness to His People and The Messiah Has Come
- Week 4: The Atonement
- Week 5: The Power of Your Salvation
- Week 6: The Gospel for All of Life
- Week 7: Challenges to the Gospel
- Week 8: Communicating the Gospel
Foundations of Biblical Faith: Studying the Holy Scriptures (Bibliology)
- Week 1: (Ch. 1-3) Christian Doctrine (Part 1)
- Week 2: (Ch. 4-5) Christian Doctrine (Part 2)
- Week 3: (Ch. 6-9) Divine Revelation and the Trustworthiness of the Bible
- Week 4: (Ch. 10-13) The History and Purpose of the Bible
- Week 5: (Ch. 14-16) The Power of God’s Word
- Week 6: (Ch. 17-20) The Believer’s Response to the Scriptures (Part 1)
- Week 7: (Ch. 21-24) The Believer’s Response to the Scriptures (Part 2)
- Week 8: Catch-Up/Review
Bible Interpretation: Grasping God’s Word
- Week 1: (Ch. 1) Bible Translations
- Week 2: (Ch. 2) The Interpretive Journey
- Week 3: (Ch. 3) How to Read the Book – Sentences
- Week 4: (Ch. 4) How to Read the Book – Paragraphs
- Week 5: (Ch. 5) How to Read the Book – Discourses
- Week 6: (Ch. 6) The Historical-Cultural Context
- Week 7: (Ch. 7) What Do We Bring to the Text?
- Week 8: Catch-Up/Review
Old Testament Survey: Part 1
- Week 1: Introduction to Old Testament Survey
- Week 2: Jesus Is the Theological Center
- Week 3: Thematic Framework Is the Kingdom of God
- Week 4: Order of Books of the Hebrew and English Old Testament
- Week 5: Covenantal Structure of the Christian Bible
- Week 6: Pentateuch Authorship and Date
- Week 7: Genesis Covenants, Creation, Day 6, and the Fall
- Week 8: Noah, Abraham, Abraham’s Descendants, and the Exodus
Second Quarter (November – December)
Christian Ethics
- Week 9: Introduction: Our Great Dilemma – To Be Like God
- Week 10: The Heart of the Matter – Christianity and Biblical Law
- Week 11: The Great Reversal – Yielding to the Divine Undoing
- Week 12: The Way of Wisdom – Cultivating Everyday Liturgies
- Week 13: A New Ethic – The Mystery of Godliness
- Week 14: Waiting and Hastening – Living in Light of God’s Promise
- Week 15: Marked by Joy – Reveling in the Presence and Power of God
- Week 16: Putting It All Together
Foundations of Biblical Faith: Knowing the Living God (Theology Proper)
- Week 9: (Ch. 1-4) The Knowledge of God and The Doctrine of the Trinity
- Week 10: (Ch. 5-7) The Nature of God
- Week 11: (Ch. 8-15) The Excellencies of God (Parts 1 and 2)
- Week 12: (Ch. 16-19) The Holiness and Righteousness of God
- Week 13: (Ch. 20-25) The One True God and The Faithfulness of God
- Week 14: (Ch. 26-34) The Love of God and God the Creator
- Week 15: (Ch. 35-41) God the Sovereign, Lawgiver, and Judge
- Week 16: (Ch. 42-47) God the Savior (Parts 1 and 2)
Biblical Interpretation: Grasping God’s Word
- Week 9: (Ch. 8) The Literary Context
- Week 10: (Ch. 9) Word Studies
- Week 11: (Ch. 10) Who Controls the Meaning?
- Week 12: (Ch. 11) Levels of Meaning
- Week 13: (Ch. 12) The Role of the Holy Spirit
- Week 14: (Ch. 13) Application
- Week 15: (Ch. 14) New Testament – Letters
- Week 16: Catch-Up/Review
Old Testament Survey: Part 2
- Week 9: Leviticus and Numbers
- Week 10: Deuteronomy and Former Prophets
- Week 11: Joshua and Judges
- Week 12: Samuel and Kings
- Week 13: Latter Prophets
- Week 14: Isaiah and Jeremiah
- Week 15: Ezekiel
- Week 16: The Twelve and Introduction to the Writings
Third Quarter (January – February)
Apologetics
- Week 17: Are All Religions Basically the Same?
- Week 18: How to Talk About Jesus Without Sounding Like an Idiot
- Week 19: Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
- Week 20: Is Tolerance Intolerant?
- Week 21: Loving God with All Your Mind
- Week 22: The Problem of Pain and Suffering
- Week 23: Is There Any Evidence for the Historicity of the Bible?
- Week 24: Is the Bible We Have What the Original Authors Wrote?
Foundations of Biblical Faith: Discerning the Plight of Man (Anthropology & Hamartiology)
- Week 17: (Ch. 1-4) The Creation and Fall of Man
- Week 18: (Ch. 5-7) The Truth about Man (Part 1)
- Week 19: (Ch. 8-11) The Truth about Man (Part 2)
- Week 20: (Ch. 12-16) God’s Disposition Toward the Sinner
- Week 21: (Ch. 17-19) God’s Judgments in the Sinner’s Life
- Week 22: (Ch. 20-22) God’s Judgment of Death
- Week 23: (Ch. 23-26) Final Judgment, Hell, and the Hope of the Gospel
- Week 24: Catch-Up/Review
Bible Interpretation: Grasping God’s Word
- Week 17: (Ch. 15) New Testament – Gospels
- Week 18: (Ch. 16) New Testament – Acts
- Week 19: (Ch. 17) New Testament – Revelation
- Week 20: (Ch. 18) Old Testament – Narrative
- Week 21: (Ch. 19) Old Testament – Law
- Week 22: (Ch. 20) Old Testament – Poetry
- Week 23: (Ch. 21) Old Testament – Prophets
- Week 24: (Ch. 22) Old Testament – Wisdom
Old Testament Survey: Part 3
- Week 17: Psalms
- Week 18: Job
- Week 19: Proverbs and Ruth
- Week 20: Song of Songs
- Week 21: Ecclesiastes and Lamentations
- Week 22: Esther and Daniel
- Week 23: Ezra-Nehemiah
- Week 24: Chronicles
Fourth Quarter (March – April)
Foundations of Biblical Faith: Christology
- Week 25: Pre-existence and Eternality of Christ
- Week 26: Deity of Christ (Part 1)
- Week 27: Deity of Christ (Part 2)
- Week 28: Humanity of Christ (Part 1)
- Week 29: Humanity of Christ (Part 2)
- Week 30: Earthly Life of Christ (Part 1)
- Week 31: Earthly Life of Christ (Part 2)
- Week 32: The Present and Future Ministry of Christ | Our Relationship with Christ
Year 1 Required Reading
- Discerning the Plight of Man – Paul David Washer
- Encountering the Old Testament – Arnold and Beyer
- Grasping God’s Word – Duvall and Hays
- Knowing the Living God – Paul David Washer
- Practical Christian Theology – Floyd H. Barackman
- Studying the Holy Scriptures – Paul David Washer
Projects
- Personal Doctrinal Statement
- Ministry Case Responses
- Exegetical Paper
- Orals
Formation Rhythms (Year 2)
Participants in Year Two will continue in structured formation rhythms with increased responsibility and integration. These rhythms are designed to prepare them for sustained leadership, ministry ownership, and vocational assessment.
Scripture Memorization
Participants will continue memorizing one assigned Scripture passage per week, with emphasis on passages shaping endurance, leadership under pressure, pastoral courage, humility, and hope. Scripture is expected to increasingly surface naturally in preaching, counseling, and conversation.
Spiritual Journal
Participants will continue their weekly spiritual journal, reflecting on Scripture engagement, doctrinal clarity, leadership experiences, ministry pressures, decision-making, and heart posture. Journals are evaluated for depth, honesty, integration, and gospel-centered reflection. Journals remain a primary tool for spiritual coaching and leadership readiness discernment.
Shepherding & Accountability (Year 2)
Spiritual Coaching
Each participant meets with a spiritual coach once every eight weeks. Coaching conversations in Year Two focus on:
- Leadership readiness
- Character under responsibility
- Ministry judgment
- Doctrinal clarity and conviction
Formation Projects (Year 2)
The Year Two projects serve as capstone-level assessments, integrating doctrine, leadership practice, and shepherding wisdom in preparation for oral examination.
Project 1: Personal Doctrinal Statement – Part 2
A revised and expanded doctrinal statement focusing on the remaining core loci of theology: Soteriology, Pneumatology, Angelology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology. Requirements:
- Written in the participant’s own words
- Grounded explicitly in Scripture
- Includes brief pastoral implications for ministry and leadership
- Demonstrates clarity, conviction, and theological maturity
This document builds on the Year One doctrinal statement and serves as a primary reference for oral examination.
Project 2: Ministry Leadership Project
Each participant must lead or co-lead a ministry initiative (e.g., preaching rotation, disciple-making cohort, care ministry, outreach effort, leadership development initiative, or revitalization responsibility) under appropriate oversight. Requirements:
- Ministry proposal (purpose, theological rationale, goals)
- Ongoing reflection through journal and coaching
- Final written evaluation addressing:
- What was undertaken
- How Scripture and doctrine shaped decisions
- Challenges, growth, and fruit
- Lessons learned about leadership and self
This is meant to assess faithfulness, judgment, initiative, and humility in real ministry contexts.
Project 3: Orals Preparation & Review
Participants engage in intentional preparation for oral examination through:
- Doctrinal review and articulation
- Pastoral case reflection
- Shepherding scenarios
- Self-assessment of strengths, weaknesses, and readiness
Project 4: Oral Examination (Capstone Assessment)
Participants complete a formal oral examination conducted by pastors and ministry leaders. Orals assess:
- Doctrinal clarity and conviction
- Ability to articulate and defend theological positions
- Shepherding instincts in complex ministry scenarios
- Wisdom, humility, and self-awareness
- Readiness for vocational ministry
Orals are not a test of trivia, but a discerning conversation evaluating whether participants can be entrusted with responsibility in God’s church.
First Quarter (September – October)
Some classes in Year Two offer distinct options for women. These are designed to equip women for the ministries they are most likely to steward within a local church.
Foundations of Biblical Faith: Soteriology
- Week 1: Introduction
- Week 2: Sola Scriptura: Salvation Communicated in the Word of God
- Week 3: Sola Gratia: Salvation Planned in Eternity Past
- Week 4: Solus Christus: Salvation Accomplished in the Person of Christ
- Week 5: Solus Christus: Salvation Accomplished in the Work of Christ
- Week 6: Solus Christus: Salvation Accomplished in the Work of Christ (Cont.)
- Week 7: Sola Fide: Salvation Applied and Experienced in Human History
- Week 8: Soli Deo Gloria: Salvation Celebrated in Eternity Future
Homiletics 1 (Men Only)
- Week 1: The Call and Purpose of Preaching (Part 1)
- Week 2: The Call and Purpose of Preaching (Part 2)
- Week 3: The Source and Effect of Preaching
- Week 4: The Style of Preaching
- Week 5: The Goal of Preaching
- Week 6: The Responsibilities and Blessings of Preaching
- Week 7: The Approach and Blessings of Preaching
- Week 8: Preaching with the Power of the Holy Spirit
Pastoral Care (Men Only)
- Week 1: The Heart of Pastoral Care – Understanding Your Role
- Week 2: Caring for Yourself – Preventing Burnout
- Week 3: The Pastor’s Home
- Week 4: Connecting with Members: Caring for the Broken, Marriage and Family Care, Hospital Visits
- Week 5: Connecting with Members (Cont.)
- Week 6: Planning Services: Funerals, Communion, Baptisms, Weddings
- Week 7: Planning Services (Cont.)
- Week 8: Conflict Resolution and Church Discipline
Bible Teaching & Communication 1 (Women Only – Substitute for Homiletics 1)
This class will include hermeneutics and exposition, teaching Scripture faithfully, structuring lessons and series, teaching different age groups, teaching in women’s gatherings, retreats, and disciple-making settings.
Women’s Ministry & Care (Women Only – Substitute for Pastoral Care)
This class will cover a theology of suffering and sanctification, Biblical Counseling foundations, trauma, abuse, grief, infertility, and miscarriage.
New Testament Survey: Part 1
- Week 1: Preview and Introduction
- Week 2: How the Bible was Written and Can We Trust our Bible
- Week 3: How we Received the Bible and Mark 1–5
- Week 4: Mark 6–13
- Week 5: Mark 14–Matthew 5
- Week 6: Matthew 6–Luke
- Week 7: Gospel of John
- Week 8: Acts–Galatians
Second Quarter (November – December)
Foundations of Biblical Faith: Pneumatology & Angelology
- Week 9: Angels, Satan and Demons (Part 1)
- Week 10: Angels, Satan and Demons (Part 2)
- Week 11: Spiritual Warfare
- Week 12: The Person of the Holy Spirit
- Week 13: Affirmations of the Spirit: His Deity and Trinitarian Relations
- Week 14: The Work of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)
- Week 15: The Work of the Holy Spirit (Part 2)
- Week 16: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Homiletics 2 (Men Only)
- Week 9: Crafting a Sermon (Part 1)
- Week 10: Crafting a Sermon (Part 2)
- Week 11: Crafting a Sermon (Part 3)
- Week 12: The Delivery of Sermons
- Week 13: The Power of Application
- Week 14: Expository Preaching from the Old Testament Narrative
- Week 15: Expository Preaching from the Gospels
- Week 16: Expository Preaching from the Epistles
Bible Teaching & Communication 2 (Women Only – Substitute for Homiletics 2)
This class will cover advanced Bible teaching and communication in discipleship and ministry contexts.
Biblical Care & Counsel
- Week 9: Introduction to Biblical Counseling
- Week 10: The Foundations of Biblical Counseling
- Week 11: The Goal of Biblical Counseling – Heart Change
- Week 12: Understanding Suffering and Trials
- Week 13: The Role of Scripture in Counseling
- Week 14: Confronting Sin Biblically
- Week 15: Common Issues
- Week 16: Counseling Those Who Have Been Sinned Against
New Testament Survey: Part 2
- Week 9: Acts 15:36–1 Corinthians 6
- Week 10: 1 Corinthians 7–Romans 4
- Week 11: Romans 5–16
- Week 12: Acts 21:27–Philippians
- Week 13: Colossians–Philemon
- Week 14: Hebrews–James
- Week 15: 1 Peter–3 John
- Week 16: Revelation and Statement of Faith
Third Quarter (January – February)
Foundations of Biblical Faith: Ecclesiology
- Week 17: What Is the Church? Its Nature and Purpose
- Week 18: The Marks of a Healthy Church
- Week 19: Church Membership and Discipline
- Week 20: A Local Church Is Congregationally Governed
- Week 21: A Local Church Is Deacon Served
- Week 22: A Local Church Is Elder Led
- Week 23: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
- Week 24: Worship and Ministry
Healthy Church Metrics: Part 1
- Week 17: Gospel-Centered (Part 1)
- Week 18: Gospel-Centered (Part 2)
- Week 19: Missional (Part 1)
- Week 20: Missional (Part 2)
- Week 21: Elder-Led (Part 1)
- Week 22: Elder-Led (Part 2)
- Week 23: Deacon Supported
- Week 24: Holy Spirit Empowered
Pastoral Coaching (Men Only)
- Week 17: The Biblical Model of Leadership and Shepherding
- Week 18: The Call and Character of a Biblical Leader
- Week 19: Leadership Development
- Week 20: Developing a Leadership Culture in the Church
- Week 21: Overcoming Leadership Challenges and Conflicts (Part 1)
- Week 22: Overcoming Leadership Challenges and Conflicts (Part 2)
- Week 23: Leading with Vision and Mission
- Week 24: Multiplying Leaders
Ministry & Spiritual Coaching (Women Only – Substitute for Pastoral Coaching)
This class will cover the importance of listening and discernment in the context of leadership, disciple-making, and ministry teams.
Introduction to Church Planting & Revitalization
- Week 17: Calling and the Work of God
- Week 18: Different Kinds of Churches, Different Kinds of Work
- Week 19: The Personal Cost of Planting and Revitalization
- Week 20: Leadership Pressure and Pace
- Week 21: Conflict, Resistance, and Change
- Week 22: Teams, Sending Churches, and Support Structures
- Week 23: Failure, Discouragement, and Perseverance
- Week 24: Discernment, Next Steps, and Prayerful Wisdom
Fourth Quarter (March – April)
Foundations of Biblical Faith: Eschatology
- Week 25: The Rapture of the Church
- Week 26: The 70th Week of Daniel
- Week 27: The Second Advent of Jesus Christ
- Week 28: The Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ
- Week 29: The Resurrections
- Week 30: The Final Judgment
- Week 31: The Eternal Destinies
- Week 32: The New Heavens and New Earth
Healthy Church Metrics: Part 2
- Week 25: Disciple-Making (Part 1)
- Week 26: Disciple-Making (Part 2)
- Week 27: City-Reaching (Part 1)
- Week 28: City-Reaching (Part 2)
- Week 29: Leader Developing
- Week 30: Multiplying (Part 1)
- Week 31: Multiplying (Part 2)
- Week 32: Globally Engaged
Biblical Leadership
- Week 25: Christ: The Power of the Leader
- Week 26: Calling: The Purpose of the Leader
- Week 27: Character: The Person of the Leader
- Week 28: Conviction: The Belief of the Leader | Commitment: The Resolve of the Leader
- Week 29: Care: The Love of the Leader | Competency: The Practice of the Leader
- Week 30: Capacity: The Development of the Leader | Chemistry: The Interaction of the Leader
- Week 31: Community: The Colleagues of the Leader | Coach: The Multiplication of the Leader
- Week 32: Credibility: The Trustworthiness of the Leader
Year 2 Required Reading
- Encountering the New Testament – Elwell and Yarbrough
- Practical Christian Theology – Floyd H. Barackman
Projects
- Personal Doctrinal Statement – Part 2
- Ministry Leadership Project
- Oral Examination (Capstone Assessment)
