www.gospelforchicago.org

Table of Contents

About GOSPEL for Chicago ..................................................................2

Overview............................................................................................. 3

Objectives............................................................................................ 4

Syllabus............................................................................................... 7

Sample Contract..................................................................................13

Application.......................................................................................... 15

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About GOSPEL for ChicagoThe mission of GOSPEL for Chicago (GFC) is to discover, develop, and deploy like-minded pastors/planters to help further the cause of Gospel-centered church planting in Chicago.

Our vision is to see our churches strengthened and many new Gospel-centered churches started in Chicago. We want to be aggressive, while avoiding a triumphalistic spirit and while also being responsible. We will focus primarily on training and equipping pastors/planters (2Tim. 2:2). We will collaborate to raise up pastors/planters from within our own churches as well as offer a program that could attract potential leaders to our mission field. We seek to cross-pollinate with other evangelical networks and denominations in the city while being up front about our own distinct flavor and desire to plant churches that explicitly share it.

We value… …the BIBLE as inerrant, authoritative, and fully sufficient for life and

ministry. …the GOSPEL as the main thrust of the whole Bible. …JUSTIFICATION by faith alone, through grace alone, on the basis of

Christ alone as central to the Gospel. …local CHURCHES as the necessary entailment of the Gospel. …DIVERSITY as the demonstration of the power of the Gospel. …expository, Christ-centered PREACHING as the backbone of every

church. …BAPTISM, the LORD’S TABLE, and CHURCH DISCIPLINE as necessary

marks of each church. …plural ELDERSHIP as the method of leading individual churches. …personal DISCIPLESHIP as an integral part of the culture of a church. …PRAYER as the appropriate posture of a church. …CHURCH PLANTING as the constant priority of all churches. …the CITY as an exciting and strategic place for church planting. …GLOBAL MISSIONS as the responsibity of every church, not to be

ignored in the pursuit of local church planting. …the GLORY OF GOD as the end goal of everything.

We subscribe to the Baptist Faith and Message (2000) as our Statement of Faith.

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OverviewGFC is a Church Planting Network currently comprised of five churches in Chicago – Church of the Beloved, Cristo El Redentor, Edgewater Baptist Church, Evanston Baptist Church, and Immanuel Baptist Church. Believing that a movement of multiplication is dependent on intentional leadership development, we focus primarily on training pastors/planters.

GFC has two major components:

(1) Pastoral Apprenticeship Track. This is a year-long exposure to the responsibilities of pastoral ministry while immersed in the context of a local church and working closely with a lead pastor. This track is for men who sense a call to pastoral ministry of some kind. The pre-requisites are: a college degree or senior status in college, some prior biblical training, a commitment to at least one semester of apprenticeship, a completed application with references, and residence in the neighborhood of the church he will be working with. Admittance is allowed in September and March only. The Pastoral Apprenticeship Track is ideally for current members within our churches but also open to applicants from without who are willing to come and join us. Apprentices will participate fully in the life of the church; meet monthly one-on-one with their lead pastor for mentoring that delves deep into character and heart issues; meet monthly with the other participants in a Cohort for discussion of topics pertaining to full-time ministry not learned well in the classroom (i.e. sermon prep, counseling, leadership, exegeting culture, time management, etc…); complete reading and writing assignments; sit in on Elder Meetings; attend other leadership team meetings; preach at least once during the year; and help with other responsibilities.

(2) Church Planter Track. This is for men who are already in the process of planting a church in the city and are looking for further training, coaching, support, and fellowship. The pre-requisites are: recommendation from a recognized assessment center or other network, commitment to a year of participation, a completed application with references. Admittance is allowed in March and September only. Church Planters will participate in the life of one of the churches as much as appropriate for their stage in the church planting process; touch base twice a month for gospel coaching with their coach; join monthly Cohorts; and complete agreed upon reading and writing assignments.

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ObjectivesFrom each church’s perspective, the top goal of the Pastoral Apprenticeship Track is to raise up potential lead Elders in future church plants. We also expect that in the process some may find they fit best as a lay Elder. And others may come through the program and go on to ministry at another church plant or existing church, which we also welcome as an oppportunity to be part of a movement larger than our churches and city. The goal of the Church Planter Track is to further train, support, and resource current church planters so that they and their new churches are healthy.

From the participant’s perspective, as a result of his involvement he can expect to discern more clearly his Calling in ministry as his Character is tested, his Convictions are observed and developed, and his Competency is measured and honed, all along gauging what is the right Contextual fit for long-term ministry (the Five Cs).

Within the realm of Character we will cover: biblical qualifications for Eldership, family, the devotional life of a pastor/planter, dealing with criticism/failure, time management, accountability, maintaining purity, avoiding pride, etc…

By Convictions we are referring to whether someone holds dearly the same values as us.

We look at Competency tri-perspectivally (Prophet, Priest, and King).

Within the Prophetic Competency (authoritative teaching and preaching of the Word of God) we will cover: gospel-centeredness, exegesis, biblical theology, sermon prep, preaching, application, etc…

Within the Priestly Competency (compassionate shepherding of souls) we will cover: counseling (pre-marital, crisis, ‘regular’), discipleship, dealing with people and their needs, pastoral ‘calls’, intercessory prayer, etc…

Within the Kingly Competency (wise oversight of the church’s structure and direction) we will cover: leadership, vision casting, strategic planning, urban church planting, exegeting culture, creating a culture of evangelism, church government, running meetings, working with volunteers, etc…

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Character will be covered primarily in one-on-ones. Competencies will be covered primarily in the Cohorts.

Participants will write a self-assessment at the midpoint of the year on how they see themselves with each of the Five Cs. At the end of the year the lead Pastor working with each Apprentice or Planter will provide him with a detailed, personal assessment based on the Five Cs and where they see the apprentice with regards to Major/Minor Prophet – High Priest/Priest – King/Prince.

Major Prophet: someone who really understands the gospel and is uniquely gifted to write and deliver high caliber, inspiring sermons week in and week out; has a rare combination of intellect, spiritual acumen, and the ability to synthesize

Minor Prophet: someone who can preach if he has to, but would not thrive doing it every week and is more effective in one-on-one and small group settings; is theological but not a theologian

High Priest: someone that has an uncanny ability to make people feel loved; listens well and helps people get to the bottom of their problems; would almost always choose to be with people over reading a book; regularly makes disciples

Priest: someone that genuinely cares for people and has had success in helping them, but may not be the most extroverted or empathetic

King: someone who thinks all the way from the big picture to the details and motivates people to get things done; enjoys creating systems, strategies, and organization; is easily respected as a leader

Prince: someone who has demonstrated responsibility with small things and can accurately assess the overall health and direction of the church; thrives best as an advisor instead of main architect and point person

Based upon this assessment, recommendations and assistance will be given in finding the appropriate next place of ministry for Apprentices. For example, a Minor Prophet – Priest – Prince will probably be encouraged to be a lay Elder. Other combinations may lend themselves to different settings or roles. For Church Planters they will know better what their strengths and weaknesses are and how to compensate with further training or coaching.

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Syllabus

This is for those in the Pastoral Apprenticeship Track at Immanuel (details will vary depending on which church in GFC the participant is paired with). For those in the Church Planter Track, they will just participate in the Cohort, bi-monthly coaching, and complete agreed upon reading assignments.

Elder Meetings: The Elders of Immanuel officially meet twice a month. Apprentices will sit in on one of these every month, observing how a plurality of Elders functions in pastoring the church.

Table Talks: Over lunch on the third Sunday of every month the whole church is invited to food and a rigorous round table discussion of some theological topic. Apprentices are expected to participate in these.

Small Groups: Small Groups meet weekly. Small Group Leaders meet a few times a year for training and peer-coaching. Apprentices will participate in both of these.

Prayer Meetings: Church Prayer Meetings are held every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. Apprentices may be asked to share devotionals or lead during these times.

One-On-One Meetings: You will set up a convenient time to meet monthly with your lead pastor for private discussion on pastoral ministry and issues of the heart.

Cohort Meetings: All the Apprentices gather monthly for a couple hours with the lead pastors in GFC to discuss critical topics related to pastoral ministry. We will spend 2 months each on Prophet, Priest, and King in that order and then go back through them again. Topics include –

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Cohort #1 (September):Prophet – Overview | Introductions | Tri-perspectivalism | Priority of the Prophetic | Ministry of the Word | Exegesis | Biblical Theology | Discuss ‘Fundamentalism’ and the Word of God by J.I. Packer

Cohort #2 (October):Prophet – What is preaching? | Is it really the centerpiece of church life? | How do you know what to preach? | How to move from exegesis to homiletics | How-tos of preaching | Discuss The Priority of Preaching and Listen Up! by Christopher Ash and Preaching & Preachers by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Cohort #3 (November):Priest – Counseling | How do we deal with people’s problems? | Crisis Counseling | Medication, Integration, Referrals, etc… | Discuss Counsel from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick & Dennis Johnson and “The Centrality of the Gospel” by Tim Keller

Cohort #4 (December):Priest – Discuss Holiness (abridged) by J.C. Ryle | Discipleship | Marriage Counseling | Pastoral Prayer Life

Cohort #5 (January):King – Intro to the Kingly | Discuss Biblical Eldership (abridged) by Alexander Strauch and Understanding the Congregation’s Authority by Jonathan Leeman | Diversity in Leadership | Deacons | Church Structure: programs, meetings, reports, budgets, children’s ministry…

Cohort #6 (February):King – Leadership | Strategic Planning (Mission, Vision, Values) | Execution | Discipleship & Leadership Development | Discuss The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker | Peer Coaching

Cohort #7 (March):Prophet – What is the Gospel? | Creating a Gospel Culture | Discuss Christless Christianity and The Gospel-Centered Life by Michael Horton | Means of Grace | Cultural Engagement

Cohort #8 (April):Prophet – What Makes for Good Preaching? | Discuss sermons listened to | The Need for Preaching | Sermon Prep | Sermon Delivery | Sermon Feedback

Cohort #9 (May):Priest – What Makes for Good Pastoring? | Practicalities | The Need for Soul Care | Case Studies | Discuss Words to Winners of Souls by Horatius Bonar and The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter

Cohort #10 (June):Priest – What Makes for Good Community? | Discuss Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer | Community Among the Leaders | Community Among the Church | Corporate Prayer | Small Groups | Case Studies

Cohort #11 (July):King – What Makes for Good Leadership? | Leading Change | Understanding Multi-Ethnic America | The Multi-Ethnic Church | Discuss Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson | Present proposal for [The] Church

Cohort #12 (August):King – Being On Mission | Cultural Exegesis | Contextualization | Cities | Impacting Culture? | Implementation | Discuss Center Church by Tim Keller

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Assignments:

Prophet Read ‘Fundamentalism’ and the Word of God (J.I. Packer) and write 1-

page interaction by Cohort #1 Complete by 1st one-on-one Read The Priority of Preaching and Listen Up! (Christopher Ash) OR

Preaching & Preachers (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones) and write 1-page interaction by Cohort #2

Complete by 2nd one-on-one

Priest Read Counsel from the Cross (Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson) and

“The Centrality of the Gospel” (Tim Keller) and write a mock counseling session by Cohort #3

Complete by 3rd one-on-one Read abridged version of Holiness (J.C. Ryle) and write 1-page

interaction by Cohort #4 Complete by 4th one-on-one

King Read abridged version of Biblical Eldership (Alexander Strauch) AND

Understanding the Congregation’s Authority (Jonathan Leeman) and write a position paper on church government by Cohort #5

Complete by 5th one-on-one Read The Effective Executive (Peter Drucker) and write 1-page

interaction by Cohort #6 Complete Mid-Course Self-Assessment by 6th one-on-one

Prophet Read Christless Christianity AND/OR The Gospel-Centered Life (Michael

Horton) and write 1-page interaction by Cohort #7 Complete by 7th one-on-one Listen to four sermons from a different style/approach than your own

and come with a summary and critique to Cohort #8 Complete by 8th one-on-one

Priest

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Read Words to Winners of Souls (Horatius Bonar) OR The Reformed Pastor (Richard Baxter) and write a strategy for Soul Care in the church by Cohort #9

Complete by 9th one-on-one Read Life Together (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) and write 1-page evaluation of

community life at Immanuel by Cohort #10 Complete by 10th one-on-one

King Read Just Mercy (Bryan Stevenson) and write a 1-page proposal for a

new book called [The] ______ Church (fill-in-the-blank) by Cohort #11 Complete by 11th one-on-one Read assigned portions of Center-Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-

Centered Ministry in Your City by Tim Keller and write a personal ‘Philosophy of Ministry’ or ‘Strategic Plan’ by Cohort #12

Complete by 12th one-on-one

Presented with Final Assessment

*Substitutions may be made for any of the above books with permission.

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One-On-One Options: The following list of books will be drawn from for use in the one-on-ones as assigned by the pastor and tailored for each participant –

GospelProdigal God by Tim KellerThe Transforming Power of the Gospel by Jerry BridgesA Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent“Saved By His Precious Blood: An Introduction to John Owen’s The Death of Death in the

Death of Christ” by J.I. PackerThe Cross of Christ by John Stott

DisciplinesA Praying Life by Paul MillerThe Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges

Pastoral LifeThe Heart of a Servant Leader by C. John MillerThe Pastor’s Justification by Jared WilsonThe Contemplative Pastor by Eugene PetersonSensing Jesus by Zack EswineDangerous Calling by Paul TrippThe Contemplative Pastor by Eugene PetersonLectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon

Pastors in LiteratureElmer Gantry by Sinclair LewisThe Hammer of God by Bo GiertzGilead by Marilynne Robinson

BiographyMemoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by D.A. Carson

DiversityDivided by Faith by Christian Smith and Michael EmersonThe New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle

AlexanderThe Elusive Dream: The Power of Race in Interracial Churches by Korie EdwardsFree at Last?: The Gospel in the African-American Experience by Carl EllisThe Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity by Soong-

Chan RahLetters to a Birmingham Jail edited by Bryan Lorritts

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CitiesWhy Cities Matter: To God, the Culture, and the Church by Justin Buzzard and Stephen

UmSidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith by Eric JacobsenThe Space Between: A Christian Engagement with the Built Environment by Eric JacobsenTriumph of the City: How Our Greatest Invention Makes Us Richer, Smarter, Greener,

Healthier, and Happier by Edward GlaeserA Heart for the City: Effective Ministries to the Urban Community by John FuderA Theology as Big as the City by Ray Bakke

ScriptureGod’s Big Picture by Vaughan RobertsThe Unfolding Mystery by Edmund Clowney

CallingAm I Called? by Dave Harvey

Audio“Preaching to the Heart” (Tim Keller; Oak Hill College Lectures)“Preaching to Believers and Unbelievers” (Tim Keller; Covenant Seminary)

ExercisesMemorize 1 Peter 5:1-4 (ESV) and write 20 observations

Preaching: You will write at least one sermon on an assigned passage, working closely with a lead pastor to develop it, and preach it at the church. You will receive constructive feedback afterwards. A summer Preaching Lab is offered for growth in the art and science of preaching.

Miscellaneous Duties: You may be asked to help with practical items in the church.

Personal: You may specify additional personal goals in your Contract to work on through the course of the program with your lead pastor.

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Sample Contract

Apprentice: Pastor:

Email: Email:

Address: Address:

Phone: Phone:

Dates of Apprenticeship:

Church’s Expectations of Apprentice/Planter

A. Description:

GOSPEL for Chicago (GFC) is designed to discover, develop, and deploy like-minded pastors/planters to help further the cause of Gospel-centered church planting in Chicago.

B. General Expectations:

1. Abide by Church Covenant

2. Be teachable and open to input into your life

3. Attend Sunday Morning Services

4. Attend monthly Prayer Meetings

5. Attend weekly Small Group

6. Complete all assignments by agreed upon time

7. Meet monthly with Cohort

8. Meet monthly with lead Pastor one-on-one

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9. Attend quarterly Table Talk seminars

10. Sit in on monthly Elder Meetings

11. Attend Small Group Leader Meetings

12. Preach at least once

13. Maintain healthy living habits (sabbath, budget, eating, sleeping,

relationships, exercising,…).

Apprentice/Planter’s Expectations of Church and Goals of Involvement

A. Expectations:

1.

2.

3.

B. Goals:

1.

2.

3.

___________________________ ____________________________

Date, Apprentice/Planter Signature Date, Pastor Signature

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GOSPEL for Chicago (GFC)APPLICATION

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name Phone

Present Address

Permanent Address

Age Birthdate Marital Status

Education (please include school, degree, major, and year)

CHURCH HISTORY

Last Church You Were a Member Of

Address

Website Denomination

Pastor’s Name How Long?

Church You Are Presently Attending (if different from above)

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Address

Website Denomination

Pastor’s Name How Long?

REFERENCES (please give name, address, email, and phone number)

Pastor

Friend

Professor/Employer

SPIRITUAL BACKGROUND (please answer completely, yet concisely)

Share how you came to hear and believe the gospel and how you see the gospel affecting your life now as a Christian:

Describe your family life:

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Who have been your major spiritual influences and why?

Briefly describe your current devotional life:

What do you feel are your spiritual gifts?

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

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Describe past areas of ministry service:

OBJECTIVES

Which track are you applying for?

What do you desire to get out of this program?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

MISCELLANEOUS

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Do you feel you are teachable and work well under authority?

How would you describe your physical and financial health?

Have you read the overview and objectives and do you foresee any problems?

Do you agree with the Baptist Faith & Message (2000)?

Do you resonate with the mission, vision, and values of GOSPEL for Chicago?Why? If you have reservations, please explain…

What is your preferred date of starting?

The information provided above is honest and accurate. I give the pastors in GOSPEL for Chicago permission to contact my references.

(signature)

Please attach a current resume to this application.

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Please use the assessment tool at www.churchplanterprofiles.com and attach results to this application.

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