Course Description:
This course is for those aspiring to be CPC elders, Women Leader Board members and any who desire a more robust understanding of the biblical nature and design of the church, the extent and limits of its authorized power and training in spiritual shepherding. Part 1 focuses on biblical ecclesiology, the calling and duties of elders and the issue of church government and authority. We are now into Part 2 that focuses on a Total Christ ecclesiology and issues related to the Five Mark Church. it currently meets every 1st Saturday of the month between 8 am-12:30.
2015 Syllabus
General Resources
Westminster Confession of Faith (PDF)
PCA Book of Church Order (PDF)
Class recordings can be found here.
STUDY GUIDE FOR CHURCH ELDER/WLB EXAMINATION
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Part 1: The Role of Shepherd Leader in Context of Total Christ Ecclesiology
Handouts and Readings
Session 1: The Call and Mission of Shepherd Leaders
Handouts:
Readings:
- The Shepherd Leader (Chapters 1-3), Timothy Witmer
- The Steward Leader, Timothy Keller
Audio:
Session 2: The Nature, Extent, and Limits of Church Power
Handouts:
Readings:
- Weak And The Strong, John Murrary
- The Church Of Christ (Part 1, Chapter 2), James Bannerman
- The Church Of Christ (Part 2, Chapters 1 and 3), James Bannerman
- The Church Of Christ (Part 2, Chapters 4 and 5), James Bannerman
Audio:
Session 3: Biblical Church Polity
Handouts:
- Presbyterian Polity: An Organic and Multi-Form Vision
- Principles of Order For A Fair, Efficient, and Principled Procss
Readings:
- Dinstinctive Emphases, Edmund Clowney
- Apostolic Church Which Is It?, Thomas Witherow
- Arguments in Church Courts
- Eldership in the Reformed Church, T.F. Torrence
- Women in Leadership, Gordon Hugenberger
Audio:
Session 4: Life on Life Disciplship and Church Discipline
Handouts:
Readings:
- Biblical Church Discipline, Daniel Wray
Audio:
Session 5: Duties and Calling of Elder/WLB
Handouts:
Readings:
- Women In Ministry, Gordon Hugenberger
Audio:
Part 2: Issues of Ministry Relevant to A Five Mark Church
Handouts and Readings
Session 6: Total Christ Church
Handouts:
Readings:
- "Function of the Body," from The Royal Priesthood, T. F. Torrance
Audio:
Session 7: The Gospel Centered Church
Handout:
- Gospel Centered Spirituality, Preston Graham
- Gospel Centered Spirituality PPT, Preston Graham
- Law, Gospel, and Salvation, Kevin Nelson
- Gospel Centered Discipleship, Craig Luekens
Readings:
- The Gospel Centered Church,Tim Keller
- Center Church (Chapter 1-5), Tim Keller
Audio:
Session 8: The Confessional Church
Handouts:
Readings:
- Confession and Confessions (Chapter 1), John Weber
- Issues in Confessionalism: A Test Case on Homosexuality and "Trajectory" Hermeneutics Letter from City Church, SF Response from Chris Robbins, MA Church Planter in SF
Audio:
Session 9: The Sacramental Church
Topics:
- Sacramentalism Reviewed and Clarified
- Review Reading: Mystery and Manners of Sacramentalism, Preston Graham Jr.
- Reference Handout: Sacraments
- PPT: Sacramentalism and Worship
- Read: WCF 27, 28, 29
- Read: Worship, Community, and the Triune God of Grace (ch.1, ch. 2 skim), James Torrance
- Rec. Treatise on Lord's Supper, John Calvin
- Sacramental Worship
- Review: Essentials in Worship
- Review: Worship (from Confessional Theology)
- Review: The Sacramental Principle Applied to Formal Considerations
- PPT: Sacramentalism and Worship
- Skim BCO 47-58
- Infant Baptism:
- Review: A Baptism That Saves (Chapter 1-2), Preston Graham Jr.
- Ecclesial Conversion:
- Review: From Baptism to Lord's Supper
- Review: Admission of Covenant Children to the Lord's Table: A Test Case
- Issues in Sacramental Ecclesiology and the Gospel:
Audio:
Session 10: The Communal Church
Topics:
- Doing Ethics In Community
- Read/Review: Ecclesiology and Ethics, Richard Hays
- Mercy Ministry In The Church
- Ecclesiology and Mercy
- What Kind of Church Do We Want To Be (applied to Impact Week)
- Read/Review: Gospel Empowerment, Vision Anabaino #3, Preston Graham Jr.
- Case Study: Helping A Witch Doctor
- Holistic Love and Empowerment Based Mercy
- Communal Rebuke, Confession, and Forgiveness
- Read/Review: Life Together, D. Bonhoeffer (chapter 1)
Audio:
Session 11: The Missional Church
Topics:
- The Missional Church Clarified
- Read/Review: Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society, Ch. 10, and Ch. 18.
- Notes to Newbigin
- The Missional Church In Relation to Culture and Evangelism
- The Missional Church and Worship
- Evangelistic Worship, Tim Keller
- Church Planting As Our Missionary Strategy
- Our Mission
- Why Church Plant?
- The Missional Church, Tim Keller
Audio:
12 PM: Lunch