This is the officer training class used at MCPC in 2012-2013. While we seek to improve it every time, the basic pattern has remained intact for many years. We used to have a shortened course for deacon training, but over the years we discovered that the deacons needed the same sort of training in counseling and shepherding. Further, Paul says nothing about how to train elders/bishops, but he does say that deacons should be “tested first, then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (1 Timothy 3:10). It would appear that Paul is assuming that (ordinarily) a man should serve as a deacon first, and then, if he serves well there, and has the requisite gifts and graces, he may advance to the presbyterate. Any man who says “I could be an elder, but I couldn’t handle being a deacon,” does not understand the nature of the eldership.
Officer Training Class Michiana Covenant PCA, Granger IN
Dr. Peter J. Wallace
Purpose:
The purpose of the Officer Training Class is to prepare and equip men to serve in the church as elders and deacons. We assume that a man will only embark on this course after he has already been a Christian for a while. Various parts of this training course will be “review” for some people – while other parts may be new. But the goal is to provide the tools needful for church officers (both in terms of knowledge and skills). Elders and deacons should know the scriptures and the church’s confessional standards. They should also understand the human heart and be able to apply the word of God to the situations they encounter.
Structure and Requirements:
The Officer Training Class includes two distinct courses: 1) Introduction to Reformed Theology (a study of the Westminster Confession and Catechisms), 2) Introduction to Practical Theology (a study of the work of the church and her officers).
Each week during part 1, students will turn in a written outline/summary of the week’s reading (any length is acceptable, so long as it demonstrates basic comprehension), along with any questions.
Required Reading:
Christopher Wisdom, Lectures on Servant Leadership (handout, 2010)
Reformed Theology:
Harmony of the Westminster Confession & Catechisms (Southern Pbn Press, 1997)
Robert Letham, The Westminster Assembly (P&R, 2009)
Chad Van Dixhoorn, The Westminster Confession of Faith, A Commentary (manuscript)
Richard Gaffin, By Faith, Not By Sight (Paternoster, 2007)
Graeme Goldsworthy, According to Plan (IVP, 2002)
Practical Theology:
Hughes Oliphant Old, Worship (John Knox, 2002)
Paul S. Jones, Singing and Making Music (P&R, 2006) chapters 1-4, 9, 18, 21-24
Timothy Z. Witmer, The Shepherd Leader (P&R, 2010)
David Powlison, Speaking Truth in Love (Punch, 2005) chapters 1-15
Timothy J. Keller, Ministries of Mercy (P&R, 1997)
Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert, When Helping Hurts (Moody, 2009)
John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad (Desiring God, 2010)
Coursepack:
D. G. Hart, Recovering Mother Kirk (Baker, 2003) chapters 1-2
Gregory Reynolds, “The Spirituality of Mission Work”
http://www.opc.org/os.html?article_id=160&issue_id=47
Gregory Reynolds, “Ambassadors of the Heavenly King”
http://www.opc.org/os.html?article_id=159&issue_id=46
Charles G. Dennison, “Evangelism and the Church”
http://www.opc.org/os.html?article_id=158&issue_id=46
T. David Gordon, “Evangelistic Responsibility”
http://www.opc.org/os.html?article_id=155&issue_id=46
James S. Gidley “Biblical Theology and the Session,” 9:3 (Jul. 2000): 50-54.
Classic pastoral care www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=1938&C=1738
Conclusion:
Gregory the Great, Book of Pastoral Rule (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2007)
I. Introduction
At the beginning of the course each nominee will take a Bible knowledge quiz to ascertain where he is in his knowledge of the scriptures.
May 20 Servant Leadership Wisdom, Parts 1-2
May 27 Servant Leadership Wisdom, Parts 3-4
II. Confessional Standards WCF LC SC
June 10 Introduction Letham 1-119
June 17 1 1-5 1-3 Letham 120-158 VD 2-17
June 24 2-3 6-14 4-8 Letham 159-197 VD 18-36
July 1 4-6 15-29 9-19 Letham 198-223 VD 37-59
July 8 7-9 30-56 20-28 Letham 224-241 VD 60-91
July 15 10-11 57-74 29-33 Letham 242-292 VD 92-108
July 22 12-13 75-78 34-36 Gaffin, 1-52 VD 109-117
July 29 14-18 79-81 Gaffin, 53-111 VD 118-153
August 5 19-20 91-152 39-84 Letham 293-318 VD 3-24
August 12 [break]
August 19 21-24 178-96 98-107 VD 24-57
August 26 25-26 153-60 85-90 Letham 319-359 VD 58-71
September 2 27-29 161-77 91-97 VD 71-97
September 9 30-33 82-90 37-38 Letham 360-367 VD 98-121
III. Church Order
September 16 1-15 (Church Members, Officers and Courts) [& MCPC bylaws]
October 7 16-26 (Vocation and Ordination)
October 14 27-46 (Rules of Discipline)
November 4 47-63 (Directory for Worship)
October – December
Read Graeme Goldsworthy’s According to Plan and write answers to specific questions, due January 1. Meet one-on-one with current elders
Nominees will be examined by the session in Bible, doctrine, and church order at the beginning of January. Those who pass the exams will enter into a period of internship.
IV. Internship
Throughout 2013, interns will serve a practicum with the elders & deacons:
1) Elder interns will be expected to attend session meetings regularly
2) Elder interns will also be expected to attend at least one deacon meeting, one MCA board meeting, and other committee meetings as needed.
3) Elder interns will also be expected to participate in visitation, and will be asked to teach the adult Sunday school class at least once.
4) Elder interns must attend presbytery at least once
1) Deacon interns will be expected to attend deacon meetings regularly
2) Deacon interns will also be expected to attend at least on session meeting.
3) Deacon interns will participate in organizing at least one diaconal project.
V. Practical Theology: the Work of the Officers
April 7 Worship Old, chs 1-4;
April 21 Worship Old, chs 5-10; Hart, ch 1, 6
May 5 Worship Study Papers
May 19 Mission Piper, 1-132
June 2 Mission Piper, 133-260
June 16 Evangelism/Mission (OS readings – 2009)
July 7 Catechesis/Education (Augustine/Shepperson)
July 21 Shepherding Witmer, 1-105
July 28 Shepherding Witmer, 106-264
August 25 Shepherding/Visitation (OS readings)
September 1 Counseling Powlison, 1-97
September 15 Counseling Powlison, 99-194
September 29 Mercy Ministry Keller, 1-66
October 13 Mercy Ministry Keller, 67-122
October 27 Mercy Ministry Keller, 123-233
November 10 Diaconal Ministry Corbett & Fikkert, 11-99
November 24 Diaconal Ministry Corbett & Fikkert, 103-220
December 8 Gregory, Book of Pastoral Rule, books 1 & 2, 9-85
January 5 Gregory, Book of Pastoral Rule, books 3-4, 87-212
Note: the elders will certify those who may stand for election at their December, 2013, meeting.
Elections, January 2014
Required reading? Coursepacks? Are you seeking theologian-scholars subject to exam? Or church officers who already have busy lives/families/jobs/businesses? In my Iowa CRC the officers have dirt under their fingernails and muti-million dollar farm operations to keep them occupied. Sure, I’d like all to study more, but can guarantee that compelling such scholarship would empty our council room. You’ve exceeded biblical requirements, and must be situated in academia. All this is in response to your “Officer training” webpage, which I happened on. Sincerely, Harold Fynaardt–hfynaardt@live.com–12/29/13
Thank you, Harold, for your comment. I agree that there is a lot of work involved in this training program. My guess is that you are probably dealing with people who grew up in the CRC, and so therefore already know the doctrine and practice from having lived it all their lives. Most of our members are new to Reformed doctrine and practice, and so we can’t assume that everyone already knows these things.
I’d encourage you to look back over the list of books that we read together. Which of them would you call “academic”? I’ll admit that the Letham book probably fits that description — but otherwise, all of these books are designed for ordinary Christian readers, and most are focused on practical ministry.
If you have dozens of Christian men in your congregation who are already ready to counsel and shepherd and care for the poor and needy without any training, I envy you. We don’t — so this is part of my task in discipleship. I want to have strong lay leadership that is well-trained theologically and practically. Otherwise who will be able to point out when I am going off track?
Thanks, Peter Wallace, for your reply. Allow me to venture that a Reformed Christian may be an excellent elder or deacon without ever hearing of authors whom you or I may consider nearly essential. What does it mean for the elder to “hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it” (Titus 1:9)? Well, I’ll quote the authors of a book “not” on your above reading list–“The Elders Handbook” by Gerard Berghoef and Lester De Koster (Christian’s Library Press, Grand Rapids, Mich. 1979). “Do not confuse knowledge with understanding, One may know much, yet understand little. Knowing is the fruit of diligence in study, while understanding is the fruit of using knowledge in life. Understanding of God’s Word is given through the Spirit to those who seek to obey that Word. We come to under-stand the Bible by in fact standing-under its commands. You may not notice such growth in understanding in yourself, but others will profit from it, and the Church will be blessed by it. You come through obedience to a natural authority in your important office. All by keeping watch over your own obedience. Wisdom cannot be acquired directly. Wisdom cannot be taught by one to another. Understanding which is nourished by experience, deepened by persistent effort to better obedience, gradually matures into wisdom. Wisdom is understanding put to the service of love. Wisdom comes slowly, and with age, if it comes at all. This is why the elder is . . elder” (p.25). By the way,Pastor, your reply leads me to ask–What “training” did the Good Samaritan need to “care for the poor and needy?” Don’t sell your congregation’s men short. They too have the Spirit. Sincerely, Harold Fynaardt Dec.30, 2013 hfynaardt@live.com