1.  Preaching and Teaching - Spring 2008

2.  Hermenuetics - Spring 2009

3.  Church History - Summer 2009

4.  Read the bible in 120 days - Spring 2010

For Jan-June 2012

We will be running an "Associate Pastors Program," for people who have shown a demonstrated heart and desire for pastoral work.  It will be an "invitation only," class for up and coming leaders interested in Pastoral Leadership.  The 6 month class will include:

I.  Key Readings

1. Life Together by Dietriech Bonhoeffer (Month 1)

2. Gregory the Great Pastoral Care: (Month 2)

3. George Herbert (Month 3-4)

3. Jean Vanier – Community and Growth (Month 5-6)

II.  Key Discussions

1. What is the difference between a deacon, pastor and an elder? Include the roles of each one. Use Bible Gateway, do word search on: deacons, pastors, elders, over-seers. Find our definitions from John Piper, Wayne Grudem, Mark Driscoll by searching internet. Find three other sources. Be ready to share and discuss. Discussion 1

2. Discuss the benefits of church plants. Find bible verses that would suggest that church plants are a good thing. Discuss research based on what it takes to have a healthy church plant. Find our definitions from John Piper, Wayn Grudem, Mark Driscoll, Alan Hirsch, Michael Frost. Discussion 2

3. Imagine you are planting a church. Create a mission statement, list 7 key values of the church, list your top 7 goals for the church. Also, list your top 7 theological things that people need to know. Discussion 3

4. List the top 5 problems with churches in our post-modern world. Write a short paragraph on each of the problems and explain three strategies to address the problems. Discussion 4

5. Write a 10 minute sermon. Have a 1 sentence theme that you want to teach to people in church that is based on a real life “thing,” that people in church need to know. Find the best story (not just a text) in the bible that can teach what you want to share – if you cannot find a story pick a different theme. Figure out a way to “establish set,” for the people – start your sermon out by talking about a real life issue to engage audience. Find at least two funny illustrations to insert into your sermon. Find at least three practical applications for people’s life to talk about. Find three different related areas of ministry that you could invite people for prayer at the end of the talk. Each person will practice their sermon and get feedback. Discussion 5

6. Brainstorm how you would disciple someone through regular meetings if they were: a non Christian, a new Christian, a three year old Christian, and a 10 year old Christian. What topics would you want to discuss for each one of them related to: 1) individual character topics 2) theological truths 3) family related concerns 4) missional concerns Discussion 6

7. AMADEO specific theological implications: sovereignty of God, missional living, social justice, kingdom consideration, etc. Post Discussion

III. Help in Key Ministry Areas

IV.  Life Coaching and Mentoring from Pastor Ben Cloud

Motivations and Hopes of Raising up Pastors

We know the calling of a pastor does not come by education, personal desire, or the completion of some 6-month program but by the calling (God’s anointing), character, gifting and usually the recognition of church leadership and the laying on of hands and prayer. However, there does need to be various means of helping people who desire to pastor, or who are already pastor-ing make others aware of their calling, giftings and character. We believe the call of God on pastors comes from exactly that: the calling, gifting and character of God. Just as the early apostles laid hands on those who were full of the Spirit, chosen by God, and willing to serve, so too pastors must be recognized by both God and men at some level. John Wimber, the founder of the vineyard, has a saying, “If a person has puppies we will give them the papers.” What he meant was this: People will recognize you as a pastor partly by the fact that people will follow you; if they let you pastor them.

Thanks for helping with the Pastoral Intern Program by giving feedback about the program and by participating in it. Though there is a great need for additional pastors at AMADEO, this program is not a means of becoming a pastor. Rather it is a means of assisting people interested in one day becoming a pastor gain practical experience as well as to learn from historical significant writers on topics such as community and being a pastor. In addition, it is meant as a means of serving the local church and the local community.