Pastoral Training Course
The Pastoral Training Course is an expression of our love for the local church and our desire to see hearts transformed into the likeness of Christ applied directly to the leaders of the local churches in our area. It is the local, gathered bodies of God’s people who will be the fullest witness to God’s character and glory, and we are grateful to play a small role in that work.
Key Characteristics of this training include:
- Our training is discipleship oriented and aimed at the most disadvantages rural pastors. Most of the pastors of the small churches in the villages in our region are in this position and find this discipleship course life-changing.We focus on the heart, following Jesus’ exhortation to “clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside may also be clean” and Paul’s instruction in Romans 12:1-3 to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.”
- Our training is relational. Paul says to the Thessalonian church, “So bring affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” From the very first class, we challenge each other to share our lives with one another.
- The curriculum is holistic addressing the core needs of a minister. Examples include understanding and teaching God’s word, building strong families, and such topics as family economics and nutrition.
- Disciple making in the pastor’s own church context is built into the class. Each pastor is expected to immediately train at least three people with what they have learned.
- The course meets one week out of every month for three years. This is a way for safeguarding the pastor’s ministry to their families and churches by keeping them together as much as possible during the course. Married pastors are encouraged to bring their wives to class.
The total cost for a pastor to attend the 3-year course is $1,500.
Partner with us by sponsoring a local pastor to go to PTI. Learn more here.