Leadership Development
Beginning in September RPC will be conducting training in leadership that focuses
on character, theology and skills. The training will involve directed self-study
and regular group meetings over the next six months, skipping the month of December.
The first three months are open to all those interested, both men and women. The
last two months will be open to men preparing for specific office, who have successfully
completed the general training. Participants will be expected to complete all readings
and assignments in preparation for a group meeting every other week. It breaks down
this way.
General Leadership Development
- Self-study will focus on Reformed theology, Presbyterian church polity and history,
RPC distinctives, biblical patterns and principles of leadership, and church renewal
- Meeting schedule: Sunday evenings, 7:00-9:00 p.m. September 21; October 5 &
19; November 2, 16 & 30
Specific Officer Training
- Self-study will focus on biblical qualifications and character and practical training
for the role of ruling elder or deacon through study, mentoring and activities in
keeping with PCA Book of Church Order requirements.
- Meeting schedule: Sunday evenings, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Ruling Elder: January 4 & 18, February 1 & 15
- Deacon: January 11 & 25; February 8 & 22
Ordination to office would be contingent on examination and an interview with the
Session and election by the congregation.
General Leadership Development (6 meetings)
Materials:
Schedule
Readings in preparation for meeting of:
September 21
- Review Study Bible outlines for Genesis through Esther
- Complete Westminster Confession of Faith Study Guide, chapters I-X
- Read RPC Ministry Plan & RPC By-Laws
- Read What is a Reformed Church?
October 5
- Review Study Bible outlines for Job through Song of Solomon
- Complete Westminster Confession of Faith Study Guide, chapters XI-XXII
- Read and highlight The Five Points of Calvinism, pp. 1–8, 17–71
October 19
- Review Study Bible outlines for Isaiah through Daniel
- Complete Westminster Confession of Faith Study Guide, chapters XXIII-XXXIII
- Read and highlight On Being Presbyterian, pp. 1-50
November 2
- Review Study Bible outlines for Hosea through Malachi
- Read PCA Book of Church Order on ‘Form of Government’ and complete study
guide, Q 1-28
- Read and highlight On Being Presbyterian, pp. 51-95
November 16
- Review Study Bible outlines for Matthew through Acts
- Read PCA Book of Church Order on ‘Rules of Discipline’ and complete study
guide, Q 29-36
- Read GOD’S good news
- Read and highlight On Being Presbyterian, pp. 99-147
November 30
- Review Study Bible outlines for Romans through Revelation
- Read PCA Book of Church Order on ‘Directory for Worship’ and complete study
guide, Q 37-39
- Read and highlight On Being Presbyterian, pp. 151-246
Specific Officer Training (4 meetings)
Meeting schedule: Sunday evenings, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Ruling Elder: January 4 & 18, February 1 & 15
Deacon: January 11 & 25; February 8 & 22
Ordination to office would be contingent on examination and an interview with the
Session and election by the congregation.
Examination: open book, oral follow up in Session
Areas of Examination
Character: areas of 1 Tim 3 & Titus 1, devotional life, sexual purity (2 Tim
2:15-26)
Theology: English Bible, Theology, ordination questions (BCO 24-5)
Skills: BCO description, sense of call and giftedness (1 Tim 4.14-16), mentor remarks
In addition, wives of candidates would be met with to hear their thoughts on their
husbands’ fitness for the office.
Note: role of mentor is prayer support, accountability in study, involve in role,
help to answer questions, give evaluation at examination
RULING ELDER
Materials:
- Shepherding God’s Flock, T. M. Moore
- The Elder & His Work, Dickson
- The Biblical Qualifications for Elders & Deacons, A. A. Allison
Training:
- Attend PMW meeting
- Attend 4 Session meetings
- Attend 1 joint elder-deacon meeting
- Visit 3 homes with mentor
- Teach 1 class (SBS, Cluster, Bible study)
- Attend Embers to a Flame seminar, Oct 17-18, 2008
RE Mentor ______________________
Schedule
Readings in preparation for meeting of:
January 4
- Read and highlight The Biblical Qualifications for Elders & Deacons,
pp. 1-10
- Read and highlight The Elder & His Work, chapters 1-3
- Complete Shepherding God’s Flock, lessons 1-2
January 18
- Read and highlight The Biblical Qualifications for Elders & Deacons,
pp. 11-20
- Read and highlight The Elder & His Work, chapters 4-6
- Complete Shepherding God’s Flock, lessons 3-5
February 1
- Read and highlight The Biblical Qualifications for Elders & Deacons,
pp. 21-30
- Read and highlight The Elder & His Work, chapters 7-9
- Complete Shepherding God’s Flock, lessons 6-8
February 15
- Read and highlight The Biblical Qualifications for Elders & Deacons,
pp. 31-39
- Read and highlight The Elder & His Work, chapters 10-13
- Complete Shepherding God’s Flock, lessons 9-10
DEACON
Materials:
- Keller video training with study guide
- The Biblical Qualifications for Elders & Deacons, A. A. Allison
Training
- Attend 4 deacons meetings
- Attend 1 joint elder-deacon meeting
- Visit 3 homes with mentor
- Attend Embers to a Flame seminar, Oct 17-18, 2008
Deacon Mentor ______________________
Schedule
Readings in preparation for meeting of:
January 11
- Read and highlight The Biblical Qualifications for Elders & Deacons,
pp. 40-49
- Watch Keller video, lessons 1-3
January 25
- Read and highlight The Biblical Qualifications for Elders & Deacons,
pp. 50-56
- Watch Keller video, lessons 4-6
February 8
- Read and highlight The Biblical Qualifications for Elders & Deacons,
pp. 57-64
- Watch Keller video, lessons 7-9
February 22
- Read and highlight The Biblical Qualifications for Elders & Deacons,
pp. 65-71
- Watch Keller video, lessons 10-12