RPC Leadership Training Outline
This course will focus on three primary areas essential to Christian leaders—character, biblical foundation and skills. The course will be conducted through classes and mentored self-study and is open to all men and women of the church. Men interested in ordination to the office of ruling elder or deacon will complete an additional facet related to PCA requirements. Each participant will be asked to submit a personal plan outlining a schedule for completion of the assignments and make regular report on progress. Periodic group mentoring sessions will be held to discuss the material.
Character
Maturity in the faith and growth in godliness form the backbone of the Christian leader. Leaders are examples to be followed and stalwarts to be respected.
- Read Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life (Calvin, 96 pages)
- Read God’s Prayer Program (Moore, 165 pages)
- Read What is Spiritual Warfare? (Gale, 44 pages)
- Complete Discipleship Inventory
- Complete Personal Rule
- Explore areas of piety, purity and faithfulness
- Piety
- Discipline of daily devotions. Read through entire Bible?
- Discipline of prayer. Quantity and quality?
- Evaluation of wife and/or others who know him well (for elders and deacons)
- Purity
- Involvement in pornography? How accountable?
- Besetting sins (idols): alcohol, money, squandering time
- Faithfulness to vows of membership
- Attendance in worship, SBS, Sunday evenings, Cluster
- Areas have served or are serving in?
- Tithe? Attitude toward giving? (Alcorn Treasure Principle)
Biblical Foundation
Soundness in theology and practical knowledge of the Bible gives Christ’s leaders firm footing from which to lead. Leaders know the Bible and are not tossed about by every wind of teaching but stand firm on the foundation of the Word of God.
Skills
General ability to lead and specific competencies related to the area in which they are leading are essential to effectiveness as servant leaders of Christ.
Ordination
All candidates for ordained office will be required to complete the general leadership training as well as those below.
- Review qualification for office from 1 Timothy 3
- Complete study guide on the PCA Book of Church Order
- Review of RPC By-Laws and RPC Ministry Plan
- Assess personal sense of call to the role, affirmation by others of the call (esp. by wife, if married; interviews with those who know him; nomination to office), and verification of the call through ministry efforts.
- Probation period. period of participation with Session or Diaconate without vote as a period of testing (1 Tim. 3:10) and to judge chemistry (Reeder, 161; Acts 15:37f.).
Calendar
Mentoring Groups (Each mentoring group will have a particular emphasis. However, each will be open to general discussion and questions on any assignment.)
- Character
- Biblical Bearings
- Leadership Skills
Classes
- “Embers to a Flame” Seminar
- Shepherding DVD, RPC Shepherding Plan
- Diaconal DVD