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Heartland Officer Training Cohort

Overview, Schedule & Curriculum

[Updated by Pastor Jonathan, May 4, 2021]

Main Objectives of Cohort

  • To help nominated men discern if God is calling them to the office of elder or deacon.
  • To train/equip nominated men for service through in-depth study of the Biblical characteristics of leadership, Reformed Theology (as summarized in the Westminster Confession of Faith), and the nature of the office to which you aspire.
  • To prepare nominated men for an oral examination with the Session of Heartland.

 

Commitments of Participants

  • Participate at cohort mtgs (14 total mtgs on Tues. from 6:30-8:30pm) during the months of January – September.
  • Attend at least one elder or deacon mtg during the training period.
  • Complete ALL required reading.

 

Required Reading

  • Confessing the Faith: A Reader’s Guide to the WCF by Chad Van Dixhoorn
  • On Being Presbyterian by Sean Lucas
  • Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church by Paul David Tripp
  • When Being Good Isn't Good Enough by Steve Brown
  • PCA Book of Church Order

 

Recommended Reading

  • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
  • The Elder and His Work by David Dickson (ELDER)
  • The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxtor (ELDER)
  • When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert (DEACON)
  • The Shepherd Leader by Timothy Witner (ELDER)
  • Resources for Deacons by Tim Keller (DEACON)

  

Requirements to be ordained as an Elder or Deacon @ Heartland Community Church

  • Nominated to the office of elder or deacon by another Heartland member.
  • Complete the Heartland Officer Training Cohort.
  • Read the entire Westminster Standards and PCA Book of Church Order.
  • Candidate & Spouse must meet with a pastor & elder to discuss questions and/or hesitations.
  • Pass examination with Heartland Session as per BCO 24-1 (TBD; approx. Oct/Nov timeframe).
  • Assent to the vows of an officer (see BCO 24-6).
  • Share testimony and sense of call with the congregation (may be done via video).
  • Be elected by the members at a congregational meeting (usually in Dec.)

 

Meeting & Reading Schedule (subject to change)

 

 

Date

 

Theme(s)

 

Readings

 

 

 

1/10/23

 

Scripture & God’s sovereignty

 

Dixhoorn (1-2)

 

Tripp (1)

 

Lucas (1)

 

1/24/23

 

Decrees of God & Grace

 

Dixhoorn (3-5)

 

Tripp (2)

 

Lucas (2)

 

1/31/23

 

Sin & Covenant

 

Dixhoorn (6-8)

 

Tripp (3)

 

Lucas (3)

 

2/28/23

 

Salvation Pt 1 & Prayer

 

Dixhoorn (9-13)

 

Tripp (4)

 

Brown (Pt I)

 

3/14/23

 

Salvation Pt 2 & Accountability

 

Dixhoorn (14-18)

 

Tripp (5)

 

Brown (Pt II)

 

3/28/23

 

Law, Spirit & Leadership

 

Dixhoorn (19-20)

 

Tripp (6)

 

Brown (Pt III) 

 

4/11/23

 

The Church & Servants

 

Dixhoorn (25-26)

 

Tripp (7)

 

Lucas (4)

 

4/25/23

 

Sacraments & Honesty

 

Dixhoorn (27-29)

 

Tripp (8)

 

Lucas (5)

 

5/9/23

 

Relationship & Identity

 

Dixhoorn (23-24)

 

Tripp (9)

 

Lucas (6)

 

6/13/23

 

Worship & Restoration

 

Dixhoorn (21-22)

 

Tripp (10)

 

Lucas (7)

 

7/11/23

 

Church Government & Community

 

Dixhoorn (30-31)

 

Tripp (11)

 

Lucas (8)

 

8/8/23

 

Last Things & Presence

 

Dixhoorn (32-33)

 

Tripp (12)

 

 

9/12/23

 

Preparation for Exam

 

WSC

 

Scripture Proofs

 

BCO

 

9/26/23

 

Preparation for Exam

 

WSC

 

Scripture Proofs

 

BCO