The GTBC Men of God program is purposed to equip and disciple men for future leadership in the church.
The first part includes formal instruction organized around a collection of online courses provided by The Master’s Seminary Institute for the Christian Life (TMS/ICL). A detailed overview is available here. These online courses from the Institute for the Christian Life provide lay training for the local church. The curriculum in Bible knowledge, godly character, shepherding care, and sound doctrine will promote proper theology and a biblical philosophy of ministry.
The second part includes practical training and discipleship by providing men with periodic opportunities to serve in a leadership function (e.g., leading a Bible study, teaching a Sunday School lesson, etc.) in order to develop their skills and obtain feedback from their peers and the elders.
The formal component of the program is centered around numerous online courses. Each course is comprised of ten weekly ‘lessons’ each of which consists of video lectures, short quizzes, and/or select readings. Each weekly lesson is about 1-2hrs of work. Participants will watch the video or complete the other resources on their own time prior to our regular gatherings to discuss the material.
Each online course is designed to be completed in ten weeks. Participants will have a two-week period to complete two lessons.
Qualifications
Men who aspire to the role of pastor/elder (1 Timothy 3:1), and thus are burdened with a desire to faithfully prepare themselves for the possibility of such service are invited to participate. Men who don’t have this explicit desire but would like to equip themselves in the event that the Lord places this burden upon them in the future, are also welcome. Participants must be at least 18yrs old and members of GTBC.
Participation in the program isn’t an affirmation by the current elders of a participant’s calling, nor is it a commitment or expectation that participants will one day be pastor/elders. It is intended as an opportunity for interested men to put themselves in the way of the Lord’s work in calling and equipping men to lead his church.
Expectations
Participants will be expected to faithfully attend discussion groups, which at this time is expected to be once every two-weeks.
Participants will be expected to stay up to date on their assignments, completing each lesson and prepared to meaningfully discuss the material during each gathering.
Participants will be expected to periodically serve in various leadership roles such as leading a Bible study session, teaching a Sunday School lesson, etc., and to welcome constructive feedback during our discussion groups.
Participants must be pursuing the following disciplines and welcome accountability to these expectations:
You must be pursuing daily time in the Word and prayer.
You must be purposeful in leading your family and actively ministering to the spiritual needs of your wife and children.
You must be pursuing the character qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9.
Objectives
Participants will intensely pursue the character qualifications established for elders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 2.
Within 6 months, participants will begin to disciple other men, helping them in their spiritual growth.
Within 6 months, participants will seek to take responsibility for leading a ministry within the church.
Proclaiming The Most Important Message In History. We are an independent Bible church in Washington County, Oregon committed to the authority of God's inspired, inerrant Word.
There will be no fellowship hour or sunday school at the church. Our main servce will also start at 9:00 (and not 9:30).
Instead, we will meet with our community groups for a time of fellowship. Not currently a part of a community group? No problem, now is a great time to visit one!
