Student Handbook - Lay Pastors Training Program

INDEX
Mission statement
3
Vision statement
3
Value
3
Courses
4-5
Textbooks
5
Program Overview
6
Admissions to Program
6
Financial Information
7
Course Information
8
Attendance
9
Course Workload
9
Grading
10
Graduation
11
Accreditation and Recognition
11
Mentoring
12
Pastoral Assistance
13
Contact Information
Lay Pastor Training Program Administrator
Mrs. Evelyn Bell
164 Lakeshore Rd.
Georgian Bluffs, ON N0H 2T0
226.668.9379 email: [email protected]
www.laypastor.ca
Executive Committee
Rev. George A. Bell
Rev. Dr. Keith Sweeting
Rev. Dr. David Smith
Rev. Willard Warnock
2 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014
Lay Pastors Training Program
Information Handbook
This student handbook is deemed to serve as a contract between the LPTP and the student. All activities
will be governed by the wording of the handbook.
Mission Statement
To provide an educational training initiative that will encourage the growth and development of
lay people involved in pastoral leadership within the CBOQ.
Vision
Lay Pastors Training will lead individuals toward CBOQ accreditation, generally at Level Two
or Three (B). It will also enrich lay leaders presently working within churches who may feel
called to move into further leadership roles.
Value
The Lay Pastor Training Program will provide economically feasible and timely training to lay
pastors of smaller churches with limited financial ability and resources.
It will also serve to provide training to other spiritual lay leaders within their respective
congregations and bring spiritual benefit to the churches of our associations as a whole.
Completion of this program will fulfill the educational requirements for Level Two or Three (B)
accreditation with accompanying rights and privileges within the CBOQ for individuals serving
as associate or specialized ministry positions within multi-staff churches or as bi-vocational
pastors.
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COURSES
1. Learning to Interpret the Bible
This is an introductory study on how to understand and interpret the Bible.
Text: Fee , Gordon D and Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible for All its’ Worth.
Zondervan, 2003 3rd edition.
2. The Pastor, the Church and Mission
This course will reflect upon the biblical teaching about the calling of the Church to the
missionary task of proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom of God to the world in which we live.
We will reflect upon the biblical teaching in order to develop a framework for designing the
outreach of the local Church.
Text: DeYoung, Kevin and Gilbert, Greg, What Is The Mission of the Church? “Making
Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission” (Crossway, Wheaton,
Illinois,2011)
CBM Publication, Discover: “A Guide to Discerning Your Church’s Mission Heart”
3. An Introduction to Biblical Preaching.
This course is designed to introduce students to the task and role of communication in
preaching and to give an overview of the variety and methods of preaching, with an
emphasis on the role of biblical preaching in the twenty-first century
Text: Robinson, Haddon, Biblical Preaching (latest edition) Baker Book House Grand
Rapids, 1980
4. Biblical Theology for the Church
This course will seek to provide an overview of the main storyline of the Bible as unfolded in
God’s plan of redemptive history. Its goal is to facilitate preaching and teaching that affirms the
whole Bible as Christian Scripture.
Texts: Roberts, Vaughan. God’s Big Picture: Tracing the Storyline of the Bible (IVP,
2002)
Recommended: D.A. Carson, The God who is There (Baker Books, 2010)
4 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014
5. Pastoral Practice
This course will provide a biblical foundation of each of the six pastoral practices considered
along with practical resources for conducting each of them.
Texts: Grenz, Stanley J. The Baptist Congregation. (Regent College Publishing,
1985).
CBOQ Manual for Worship and Service . Revised 1998.
6. Worship and its Conduct
An introduction to the biblical, theological and historical foundations of worship and how
to plan, prepare and conduct worship services.
Text: D. A. Carson, ed. Worship by the Book. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.
7. Theological foundations for Ministry
A survey of Christian doctrine from an evangelical perspective concerning the nature
and method of theology, doctrine of revelation, the attributes and works of God, the
Trinity, humanity, and sin.
Text: Paul E. Little. Know What You Believe. Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2003
8. Biblical Survey
Introductory survey of Old and New Testaments
Text: Fee, Gordon; Stuart, Douglas. How to Read the Bible, Book by Book
Zondervan, 2002
_____________________________________________________________
TEXT BOOKS
Students are required to order their own texts books. Before ordering see the current syllabus
that is posted on the web page under courses.
All Text books required for each course can be ordered through:
Amazon.ca
Christianbook.com
R.E.A.D.ON book store at CBOQ
http://[email protected]
5 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014
Program Overview
All applicants who intend to be full-time students must be recommended to the program
by the pastor and/or the Board of Deacons in the church of which they are a member.
The Lay Pastors Training Program leads to a Lay Pastor Certificate – a two-year
program of two semesters each year requiring successful completion of 8 courses of study –
two courses per semester. If necessary, students may have up to three years to complete the
program.
All courses will be run as normal semester programs – September to December and
January to April. Students will complete three assignments per course: one before each of the
two seminar weekends and one at the completion of the course.
All courses will be taught by ordained and accredited CBOQ pastors in conjunction with
invited qualified instructors when necessary.
Each student is required to submit the name of a potential mentor who will be approved
by the executive committee on acceptance of the application.
ADMISSIONS TO THE PROGRAM
Admission to the Lay Pastors Training Program will be open to all members of CBOQ churches. First
priority will be given to those individuals already serving as lay pastors in churches or those sensing a
call to serve as lay pastors.
Second priority will be given to those persons not wishing to become lay pastors but desiring to
enhance their skills as lay leaders.
Successful applicants will be admitted into the program as one of the following:
Lay Pastor: the applicant who intends to successfully complete all 8
courses of study and fulfill the requirements necessary to earn the Lay Pastor
Certificate and eligible to be accredited at Level Two or Three (B) with CBOQ.
Lay Leader: the applicant who intends to successfully complete all 8 units of study
and fulfill requirements to earn the Lay Pastor Certificate.
Continuing Education. Students interested in taking individual courses may apply to
do so provided that they have completed the application process. The cost will be $275
per course.
6 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014
Applicants entering as Lay Pastors or Lay Leaders or requesting individual courses must:
 Submit an official Application form to the program administrator with full payment of
$500.00 per semester by cheque or credit card.
 Obtain a letter of recommendation to the program from the Pastor or Board of Deacons
in their home church, or the Board of Deacons in the church of which they are serving.
This letter must accompany the Application form.
 Applicants will be reviewed by the executive Committee who will consult with the
applicant’s references before acceptance into the program.
Students admitted into the program must be registered in full prior to start date of the
semester. Tuition fees for the semester must be paid in full at that time unless special
arrangements have been made otherwise.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Tuition
Tuition paid by students helps to cover the costs of instruction in the 8 courses of study,
printed materials handed out by the Instructors, the noon meal on Saturday for each session
and coffee breaks each weekend. It does not include travel costs or costs for books.
Accommodations are extra unless billets are available.
Cost of Courses Lay Pastor Student / Lay Leaders $500.00 per Semester
Students who fail to successfully complete a course will be allowed to reapply, for the
uncompleted course at a cost of $100.00.
Transfers
The course cost is non refundable but may be transferred to a later course.
Financial Assistance
For pastoral leaders beginning the lay training program, financial assistance may be available
in a variety of forms. A pastoral leader is advised to begin with their local church. While
many of our CBOQ churches are small, the majority are committed to the support and
development of their pastoral leader. As a result, financial assistance is often available
through the local church even when not reflected in the annual budget. We encourage all new
pastors to begin a conversation with the Deacon’s board or Treasurer of their local church.
Secondly, many Associations have the ability to support the work of local churches through
small bursaries or scholarships. The Association moderator or AMC chairperson are good
resources in the discovery of potential resources available at the Association level.
Finally, the CBOQ has a number of small scholarship funds that are accessible to pastoral
leaders through an application process. For leaders who find themselves in tight financial
situations, the CBOQ also has a “Fellowship Fund” that has been established to care for
pastoral leaders in times of crisis or emergency. To access the various scholarships or the
Fellowship Fund, a pastoral leader should call the Director of Leadership Development at the
CBOQ.
7 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014
COURSE INFORMATION
Design and Purpose
The Lay Pastors Training Program is structured primarily for those individuals wishing to be
accredited as a Level Two or Three (B) Pastor in the CBOQ and who will serve in pastoral
ministry in CBOQ churches. Both the level and context of the courses taught and the
accompanying assignment requirements are designed for such individuals notwithstanding
the fact that others may be taking the program for other reasons.
Cohort Learning
The entire program will be taught in the context of cohort learning. Cohort learning may be
defined as the formation of a group of 5 or more students who, from the commencement of the
program, through to completion and graduation move through the entire curriculum of courses
together using the power of interpersonal relationships, interaction and support. Students may
not enter the program midway through the cohort cycle. Should an additional minimum of 5
new students register for the program prior to the second September of an existing program, a
new cohort will commence.
Weekend Course Schedules
Friday
Saturday
6:30 – 7:00 pm
7:00 – 8:00 pm
8:00 – 9:00 pm
8:30 – 11:30 am
11:30 – 12:30
12:30 – 3:30
Orientation
Course 1
Course 2
Course 1
Lunch (provided)
Course 2
Teaching sessions will normally be held on the first weekend of October (note: the weekend
prior to Thanksgiving) and November (Fall Term) and February and March (Winter Term)
A full overview and outline of expectations for each course will accompany registration
material. Each weekend will comprised of lectures for one course which will be posted on
the web page.
Each course will have only one required text. Instructors may suggest, but not require,
alternative and supplementary reading for those interested. Students will not be required to
purchase any books or resources other than the one course textbook.
8 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014
Attendance
Students will be required to attend both weekend sessions of each semester for successful completion
of the course.
If for any reason attendance becomes impossible, the student is required to contact the Administrator
prior to the respective weekend Session.
Course Workload
Students entering the program should be aware of the level of work typically required e.g.:

Students will be required to read the course text and / or reading assignment.

Instructors will not require students to do any reading beyond the one text for the
course. If other readings are recommended, they shall be classified as “optional
readings only.”

Regardless of the number of pages in a course textbook, there shall not be more than
300 pages of required reading per course assigned per semester. Instructors will
determine the chapters/pages required and will cite them in the course outline. It
should be noted however that 300 pages is the maximum number of pages permitted
should a textbook exceed this number. In the event of a textbook containing less than
300 pages the instructor shall not arbitrarily increase the reading requirement to 300
pages.

Students must complete all assignments. Failure to complete all assignments given by
the instructor will result in a failure to pass the course.

Instructors will require one assignment before the teaching weekend sessions and one
assignment due the end of the semester. The goal of each assignment is to determine
the students’ comprehension and ability to interact with the materials presented.

Course completion is at the end of the semester i.e. April 1 and December 1. All
assignments must be submitted on or before the final date of the semester.
9 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014
Assignments
Assignments are due by the 1st of December and the 1st of April. Grading will be completed
by the 15th of December and the 15th of April.
Grading System
All students must successfully complete all required work in order to graduate from the
program. Evaluation will consist of a simple Pass/ Fail/Incomplete grade based on
performance and participation in class and completion of all assignments.
Any special arrangements for extensions on assignments may be granted at the discretion
and decision of the instructor.
No extensions beyond 15 days of the semester can be permitted.
10 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014
Graduation
Requirements for graduation from the Lay Pastors Training Program and the receipt of the Lay
Pastors Certificate are conditioned upon the following:
1. The successful completion of all respective course work with a passing grade.
2. Satisfactory participation in the Mentorship/ Supervisory Program over the course of
study.
3. Fulfillment of all financial obligations relating to tuition, costs of books and other
expenses.
Accreditation and Recognition
All lay pastors completing this program will be eligible for Level Two or Three (B) accreditation
within the CBOQ. Both levels allow for consideration of eligibility to receive a Registration to
Perform Marriages and CBOQ recognition of ordination.
Requirements for Level Two:

Member of local CBOQ church, Employed at a CBOQ church/ministry for more than 15
hours per week, Recognized by the local church in a ministry position, At least 23 years
old
Education:
 Completed three+ years of Undergraduate biblical study or Completed 1 year of
Graduate training and currently working on a “Continuation plan” or Completed
an intentional bi-vocational training plan – Lay Pastors Training – approved by
the CBOQ Credentials Committee
References:
 Deacon’s / church leader’s reference, supervisor’s reference, AMC Chairperson
reference, or lead pastor reference
Candidate must have:
 Completed and submitted an Application for Accreditation with CBOQ, including
the signed Statement of Ethical Pastoral Conduct.
 Met with and been approved by the association, AMC committee as Candidate
for Level Two , accreditation by the Credentials Committee
 Attended the CBOQ Pastor’s Orientation Retreat
 Successfully completed an intentional Supervisory relationship
 Police check
 Details for the accreditation process and all relevant documents are found in the
CBOQ Accreditation Manual which can be found at
http://www.baptist.ca/documents/Transforming_Leaders/LD_Accreditation_Manu
al_Sept_09.pdf
11 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014
(Information for Mentors from Student Handbook pg. 12 & 13)
Mentoring
Within the first semester of the Program each student will be assigned a Mentor for the two
years of study. The student shall propose a mentor of choice upon initial application to the
program but the latter shall be confirmed only upon consultation with and agreement by the
Program executive.
Purpose:
To give directed guidance and leadership to potential Lay Pastors and other leaders as they
progress into church ministry through a relationship of encouragement, counsel, and the
sharing of common resources.
Objectives:
1. To provide a supportive relationship for the lay pastor through the mentoring
relationship of a trusted colleague.
2. To provide an opportunity for reflection and guided study.
3. To assist in the developing of a network of pastoral colleagues for mutual development
and friendship.
4. To develop additional skills so as to more effectively meet the challenges of ministry
5. To provide a forum for developing and applying skills in a broad range of pastoral
ministry
6. To help develop a strong connection to association and other CBOQ churches.
Coordinates
 A mentoring program shall be established for each Lay Pastor for the 2 year period (or
longer by mutual agreement) of their program.
 Each Lay Pastor shall propose and liaise with a mentor approved by the program
executive
 The individual needs and requirements of the mentee shall be nurtured in an ongoing
relationship of support, confidentiality and mutual trust
 Any and all serious concerns of the mentor shall be communicated confidentially to the
Lay Pastor executive.
 Mentor and mentee shall meet together 8 times per year for the two years of the
program.
Mentor Prerequisites
 A minimum of 5-years experience in ordained CBOQ pastoral ministry.
 displays strong relational skills e.g. empathy, sensitivity
 demonstrates mentoring ability
 recommendation of colleagues
 commitment to mentoring process
12 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014
Mentoring Program Suggestions:


Allow the mentoring process to develop out of a growing relationship bearing in mind
the spiritual and ministry development of the mentee and the overall goals of the
program.
Suggested areas of appraisal and/or theological reflection:
Marriage
Funerals
Discipleship
Baptism/New
members.
Communion
Conflict
Resolution.
CBOQ/Association
Preaching:
Chapel/Nursing
home Services:
Personal Time:
Prayer & Healing.
Hospital/Home
Visitation
Character
development
Spiritual formation
Leadership
coaching Ministry
strategy
Spiritual and
Biblical insight
Practical ministry
Ministry evaluation
Relationship
Course materials
Statement of faith
Pastoral Assistance
It is important for new pastors to be aware of the support and assistance available within
CBOQ. All pastoral leaders who are enrolled in the CBOQ Benefits plan have access to our
EAP program. The Employee Assistance Program is provided by the CBOQ’s insurer and
includes support in the form of counseling, coaching, vocation and career counseling, moving
assistance, financial or legal support, workplace performance, conflict resolution, nutrition,
child care, access to support networks etc.
The services can be arranged 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-800-387-4765.
Details of the CBOQ Benefits Plan can be found at the CBOQ website, www.baptist.ca.
13 Lay Pastor Student Handbook – Revised March, 2014

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