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