Building a culture that values theology for the right reasons. They wont build a foundation on something they don’t value.
Investing time and money to helping them build a foundation. I walk out of a lot meeting with a book to purchase or a blog to find, (or a blog to write!) in order to help my leaders. I spend significant resources helping my leaders not just be better Small Group leaders, but to be better Christians. This includes them having to “increase in the knowledge of the Lord.” Colossians 1.
All of my Small Group leaders have Coaches they meet with monthly. Those meeting often include training in one of three areas: theology, leadership, mission.
We also offer Porterbrook at our church. This is a church based theological education. The tag line is “Theology for mission.”
Rick: Many small group pastors didn’t have the opportunity to study theology. They were in another area of study in seminary or were in secular jobs prior to becoming small group pastors. Are there some books, websites, on line degree programs, etc… You might direct them to so they could establish a healthy theological foundation?
Matt:
Books:
I have a lot of books I can suggest, but I will show mercy to your readers!
Here are the 5 books I would suggest to start a theological foundation:
1. Knowing God by J.I. Packer
2. According to Plan by Graeme Goldsworthy
3. Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright
4. Doctrine by Mark Driscoll
5. Concise Theology by J.I. Packer (I buy this a lot for HG leaders to use as a reference)
6. If you want 3, read the first two and buy the 5th as a reference.
Websites:
Honestly, there aren’t many I would suggest. Most people who write blogs lean to pragmatism or they are angry theologians. Books are better for building a theological foundation.
The only one I read frequently is The Gospel Coalition blog. There are a lot of good, different writers and they put out a ton of content. I primarily recommend Trevin Wax and Ray Ortlund from The Gospel Coalition. Most of the writers at TGC are good at relating theology to every ministry and life.
Online Program:
Seriously, if you have a Porterbrook Learning Site near you, use it. The content is incredible, you learn theology in community, for mission, and it is incredibly cheap for what you get.
If you want a more full degree, I would do SBTS’s 60 credit hour MA in Theological Studies or Criswell College’s 30 credit hour MA in Christian Studies.
