What are distinguishing marks of a Christian leader? A head full of Christ-centered truth, a heart overflowing with the love of Christ, and hands that serve others in the name of Christ! At Christ’s Covenant Church, we believe it is our responsibility to holistically train and equip rising leaders within our local church for the work of the ministry.

IMPACT is a two year program designed to train and equip the whole person: head, heart, and hands! The goal of the program is to holistically equip members of our congregation with strong biblical foundations (intellectual maturity), observed ministry experience (practical application), and personal mentoring (character training).

Intellectual Maturity
Here we seek to build a biblically robust foundation while also conveying certain qualities and characteristics to be expected in future leaders. Basic classes required in the first year of this training include:

Upcoming Class:

• Gospel-Centered Church Conference (taught by Pastor Paul Alexander): Paul Alexander, author of The Deliberate Church and pastor of Grace Covenant Church, will be leading a weekend seminar that encompasses the biblical purpose of the church, the importance of church membership, the primacy of the gospel, the need for evangelism and discipleship, the responsibility of elders in preaching, teaching, and shepherding, as well as the functional responsibilities of deacons within the church. This seminar is intended to provide a big picture view of what a gospel-centered church and its members/leaders look like. This seminar will be offered over the course of two days:  October 15, 2010: 6:00-9:40 p.m. & October 16: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Christ’s Covenant Church. A more detailed schedule will be forthcoming. (FYI: There is no cost for this seminar; however, meals will not be included, either Friday supper or Saturday lunch.  Child-care will not be provided due to the lengthy nature of this conference.  Please make other arrangements.). Any questions, please contact Gabe Tribbett: gtribbett@christscovenant.org.  Click here to download the tentative schedule for the Gospel-Centered Church Conference (Schedule).

Future Classes:

• Gospel‑Centered Life (2010 course offering(s) to be announced): Biblical Theology and Redemptive History that builds a case for Christ being the center of God’s redemptive plan, the center of our worship, and the center of our lives and relationships. Listen to class sessions and download handouts here (select the “IMPACT: Gospel-Centered Life” channel in the top right corner).
• Theology 101 (2010 course offering(s) to be announced): A 2‑part series of theology focusing on key doctrines and core values of the Christian faith.
• Spiritual Disciplines (2010 course offering(s) to be announced): A study based on Donald S. Whitney’s book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.
• Biblical Leadership Academy (taught by Pastor Larry McCall): A focused study on the characteristics of a leader according to God’s standards given to us in His Word. The Biblical Leadership Academy was recently offered July 23-24, 2010 and will be offered again sometime in 20111.

Practical Application

Ideally, after the first year of training, students will be given ministry responsibilities within their area of ministry proficiency (under direct supervision) in order to grow in their giftings. However, some occasions may lend themselves to earlier or later ministry involvement. During this time, character will continue to be targeted by the mentor, with possible assignments to aid in establishing biblical foundations for ministry; however, this season of training will give specific attention to coaching toward effective leadership.

Character Training
This is the area where seminaries often fail. IMPACT is designed to link each student with a personal mentor for soul care and accountability in order to shape character. This relationship consists of regular meetings focused on encouragement, prayer, coaching, accountability, and exhortation. The mentor is established first and remains a vital part of the student’s training throughout the duration of the program (18‑24 months).

Contact:.
Gabe Tribbett, Engaging His Word Interim Director
gtribbett@christscovenant.org
574.267.8973 x.112