Why train leaders? To empower the church to most effectively be Christ’s presence in the World

The church (aka the body of Christ) is the presence of Christ in the world. Fuelled by the Spirit, the church’s role is to “be Christ” to the World. This body inhabits this world, and if we look at Paul’s words to the church in Ephesus we’ll see there was “equipping the saints for works of ministry” and as a result … :

“.. speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Eph. 4:15-16 ESV)

The church is meant to grow and build itself up. This cannot happen by the work of one leader. Training leaders then, in this metaphor, is like a good diet and nutrition plan for the body. It causes the entire body to grow and become a more empowered and equipped body. This then leads to the presence of Christ being more fully experienced in the world as the body in that world is healthy and growing up into love.

Learning to Look Outside

During the year long training we’ll be learning from those who are outside our tradition and movement, as well as drawing experience from current ministry leaders from across the globe. As such a sample collection of books that will be supplied might look like this:

All: Spiritual Leadership, Fresh Wind Fresh Fire

Evangelism: Breaking the Missional Code

Teaching: For the love of God’s Word: an introduction to Biblical Interpretation

Small Groups: Real-Life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples, Transformational Groups

Leadership: Missing Voices: Learning to Lead beyond Our Horizons, The Advantage, The Leadership Challenge

Learning to Come Together

We have many many skills and talents in our fellowship and our time together will be about developing those skills and talents so whether you stay at Calvary for 20 years of 2, you will be equipped for follow Jesus and live for him wherever you go.

Our monthly meetings with focus on the challenges that arise from serving Jesus, the method and philosophy of ministry at Calvary Chapel and mutual support.

Our quarterly meetings with will almost always involve guest speakers who will be able to encourage and challenge in new ways.

Learning to Make Mistakes

Soon after signing up (below) we’ll start talking about an area of the local church that you feel God is calling you into. You’ll then start praying and planning to start walking that ministry out in real-time. That’s right, ministry isn’t for the classroom so prepared to start walking out ministry as you learn. You’re going to make mistakes and find somethings challenging but that’s what we’re all here for!

With most training sessions taking place on a Sunday evening we hope that this will be an accessible course. There will be quarterly Saturday morning sessions as well as optional conference and special events as they arise throughout the year.