Pastor’s Incubator is the development process of Disciples Church for raising up exceptional leaders for the biblical call of leading the church. Disciples Church is not a church that is led by votes, consensus or strong personalities pushing their way to the top. We are led by the Head of the church, Jesus.  As such, we intentionally invite people into our formal leadership development process with the hope of multiplying the church and its impact in Folsom and beyond.

Being an exceptional leader does not necessarily qualify a person to fill the biblical role of Pastor/Elder in Christ’s Church. Furthermore, being a devoted Christ-follower does not necessarily fill the biblical AND practical requirements of leading the local church in today’s culture. This is where I believe Pastor’s Incubator enters the picture for the folks of Disciples Church who sense God’s tug to lead as part of our developing Pastoral Lead Team.

The purpose of Pastor’s Incubator is to take exceptional leaders who are devoted Christ-followers and prepare them for the role of pastor/elder in the Disciples Church community. Completing the Incubator will be a requirement in future years for those men and women invited to serve on the pastoral team, aka Elder Board, Leadership Team, etc.

This will be a small group who will meet monthly, roughly following a traditional trimester system with three modes of development: 1) Assigned personal study & brief written reflection; 2) Teaching from Pastor Stu or a guest lecturer and 3) Discussion. Each session is scheduled for three hours and will have roughly 45-60 minutes of lecture followed by a short break and 90 minutes of discussion all based around the assigned reading for that section.

Before you go any further read this short 1-page letter and the handwritten note in the margin. I received this in my first seminary course as a 22 year old youth pastor and it has inspired me to develop Pastor’s Incubator.  modern-day lttr to Jesus about disciples potential

LABOR INVOLVED:

Reading – each month’s section has assigned reading. Most of it is easily located in the section syllabus for download in PDF format, but occasionally you will need to purchase or check out a book. Check these out ahead of time to be sure you have what you need.

Reflection – Please spend ample time to think through your thoughts on the reading. Followed by a short reflection paper (200-500 words is ample) to be emailed the FRIDAY BEFORE we meet. Please email paper either as a PDF or just cut and paste it into your email. email to pastorincubator@googlegroups.com. Be sure you have been added to this group by giving Stu a heads up.

Gathering – be prepared to discuss the questions connected in each section. There is typically a lecture as well, so if you’re a note-taker bring whatever you need for that to be helpful to you. Check your section syllabus for the meeting locations and further info about what to bring, etc…

FALL: Theology

This section of assigned personal study, teaching and discussion will focus on tennats of the faith and doctrine of God, Authority of Scripture, The Trinity and Soteriology (the doctrines of salvation).

SECTION 1.1: Introduction/Christian Orthodoxy/ Task of Theology
SECTION 1.2:Authority of Scripture
SECTION 1.3: Trinity / End Times
SECTION 1.4: Jesus / Salvation

WINTER: Ecclesiology

This section of study, teaching and discussion will focus on the history, specific elements of the practices of the Church. Even a cursory knowledge of the history of the Christian Church helps us frame how we arrived at the place we are in culture. During this section of study we will discuss common practices of the church including Lord’s Supper and baptism as well as more controversial subject matters like baptism of the Holy Spirit, gifts and healing.

SECTION 2.1: Overview of History of the Christian Church
SECTION 2.2: Practices / Observances
SECTION 2.3: Historical Roles / DC Roles
SECTION 2.4: Gifts / Healing

SPRING: Missiology

This section of study and discussion focuses in on less of the general tenets of our faith, and more of the DNA and approach of Disciples Church specifically. This is also the shortest of all the Trimesters and is also one of the best for new folks in the Incubator as the readings and discussions tend to be just slightly less heady and a bit more practical. Click on the link above for all the readings and further info on this Trimester.

SECTION 3.1: An Introduction to the vision, values and strategy of Disciples Church
SECTION 3.2: Missional Church Rebirth
SECTION 3.3: Perspectives on the ‘How To’ and ‘What To’