Durbanville Community Church Community

 

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Porterbrook Training in South Africa

Training for God's Mission and Leadership in the context of your vocation or ministry.

Download PDF curriculum outline...(1mb)
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Download SA application form...(.pdf 55k)
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Intoduction to the Porterbrook Training Material

For more information on 2009 courses, contact Colin:

colin@dccfamily.co.za

Porterbrook Distance Training launched in SA

During January 2009, DCC launched the Porterbrook Training arm in SA with the commencement of the foundation phase of  the training programme. For more information, listen to the introduction talks and view slides.

Who is Porterbrook training?

The Porterbrook Network South Africa is part of a growing network of Church leaders who are committed to equipping Christian leaders to plant and oversee missional Church communities. Established by the founders of The Crowded

House Churches in the UK , Steve Timmis and Tim Chester, it has no denominational affiliation but a thorough commitment to the Christian Scriptures.

This training is now being used by a number of churches in the USA, Australia and now South Africa.

Why Porterbrook training?

The Porterbrook Network is a developing initiative aimed at contributing to a wider church planting movement by equipping individuals and churches to rediscover mission as their DNA through training, resourcing and consultancy.

Steve Timmis is quoted as saying that “The Porterbrook Network happened because of a dual conviction: we need new missional churches planted and existing churches to become more missional. The Porterbrook Network focuses on both those through a ‘family’ of ministries”.

As the South African Network, we are wanting to encourage the planting of missional churches and small Gospel Communities throughout our land. This training is born out of years of experience and is geared toward strengthening leaders in such Churches.

Why is it all about mission?

  • Because mission is about God transforming lives and bringing them under the kingship of Jesus
  • Because mission is the task to which God has both called and equipped his people
  • Because mission starts in our hearts and does not end until it reaches the ends of the earth

What’s happening in SA?

30 odd students gathered in Durbanville at Orientation Day seminar for the commencement of the Foundation Phase of the Porterbrook Training in SA. They included people from various denominations and areas of responsibility, eg church planters, recovery programme facilitators, children’s ministry workers, University student workers, Ministry to Deaf workers, Pastors and Small Group leaders.

What does the training consist of?

Even those with little previous theological training or experience can join the Foundation Year One. We offer an Advanced year as well, which can be done in the same way after the completion of the Foundation Year. The complete training curriculum covers:

Bible: exposition and biblical theology plus workshops
Doctrine: doctrine and church history from missional perspective
Character: a theology of biblical change, gospel living and pastoral care
Church: ecclesiology, church planting models and strategies, Bible teaching models, teamwork and leadership
World: evangelism, cultural engagement, working among the marginalized

Download PDF curriculum outline

How is the training structured?

Porterbrook Distance Learning provides training through modules which can be done at the pace of the learner or intensively over three semesters (just over a year – from the foundation phase). The Foundation Phase includes a compulsory Orientation day and three Weekend Gatherings at the end of each semester where learners have an opportunity to submit their assignments and share stories of their ministry engagement in the light of their studies. Course material is handed out and introductions are done for new modules at these weekends to ensure that students are making the most of their learning experience.

We all learn best with the chance to practice and reflect on the Bible with others, which is also a prerequisite for enrolling. We call this TRAINING 'ON THE ROAD' AND IN COMMUNITY.

ON THE ROAD: These modules are only half of your training, the other half is your ongoing practical ministry engagement. The material will be of particular benefit to those engaging in such ministries as: a church-planting team; a small group leader or trainee; pastoral ministry; a Church committee member; etc.

IN COMMUNITY: We recommend that learners do not do this training on their own but have at least two or three doing it together in their church with whom they can meet regularly to work through the modules and reflect on their own context. It is important that if you are not the senior Pastor or in full-time leadership that your leaders know what you are studying, allow you to be involved in an appropriate ministry and perhaps interact with you regularly in the material.

How are students evaluated?

Students are required to attend weekend gatherings at the end of each semester. They do not write exams, but are required to demonstrate how their training is taking route in their communities. They also share with and learn from each other’s experiences and the dynamics of the context within which each operates.

Is Porterbrook Training for you?

  • You’re part of a church planting team or a missional community
  • Or you want to be a church planter
  • Or you’re a church leader, but want to move into missional church or church planting
  • You like studying with a group of people
  • You can come to Cape Town for end of semester gatherings

Download SA application form to enrol