The Barnabas church based course is a two year course with a number of entry points each year. The next entry point is September 2009.

Year One

Study

Essays

There will be four essays to be written each year. Each essay should be between six hundred and twelve hundred words long. Some pointers will be given with the essay questions and essays can be discussed online. Each essay title will have an assigned marker according to the essay-marking scheme enclosed.  Markers for the course are: Matt Stubbs, Brian Gingles, Pat Brandon and Chris Clewer.

Online Topics

Discussion topics will be posted on the website (www.lovewhitley.com/cbc) and students are expected to contribute to these a minimum of once a fortnight where possible. These discussions will be printed out and count towards course work and  report given at the end of the course. Input on these discussions does not necessarily need to be lengthy, but should show the topic or question has been considered.  Please do not be afraid of putting a view that differs from others if it is what you think. When disagreeing with others’ comments in the discussion, this should be done respectfully and courteously.  After a couple of weeks’ discussion topics will be closed and some final comments may appear from the course leader or one of the markers.

Manuals: The Supernatural World & Divine Power Through The Knowledge of God

These should be read through and will form the basis for some of the online discussion topics. Some teaching by way of email, messages (on CD) and websites to view will be used in addition to the manuals. A printout of the topics covered in the manuals has been included to help students. Reading through one manual every six months will enable students to study the material at an even pace.

Bible Reading Plan

Each student is expected to read through the Word of God over the two years. The enclosed reading plan will take you through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice. Months have been removed from the top of each page to enable starting at the beginning of any month. Obviously some adjustment is needed regarding the number of days in each month. For anyone who is already using a systematic Bible reading plan, this part of the course can be omitted. If you follow this plan you will however have the benefit of others reading the same passages at the same time as yourself. This may spark useful discussion and shared revelation on the chat page of the website.

Practical

Ministry Visit

Each student is expected to visit a Barnabas church to serve at an event they are holding. The visit should include an overnight stay with someone from the church. The course leader will be able to help arrange visits if necessary and will publicise relevant events taking place in the churches. A report of the trip should be made and sent to the course leader. Some specific teaching and guidance will be sent to you when you have arranged your visit.

Preaching

If you are given an opportunity to preach or give a talk to a group, try to have this video-taped. Once you have a video of your talk, plan to view this with an encouraging friend. This is not an easy thing to do, but very valuable for anyone with a call to minister in this way. Please fill in the form on the website when you have done this (soon to be added to site).

Practical and Ministry Experience

Each student is expected to gain experience in as many practical aspects of church life as is possible as part of their training. This is to be agreed with the student and the church pastor bearing in mind your work commitments and family life. Please take care not to neglect family in the pursuit of practical experience.

Each student should consider what is going to serve to broaden his/her experience. Please consider the list of practical and ministry experience and fill in the form. This should then be discussed with your church leader. (If you are the leader of your church, please discuss this with the course leader.)

Pastor’s End of Year Report

At the end of Years One and Two you will receive a questionnaire regarding the course, where you be able to evaluate the year and what you have achieved. Your church leader will also be asked to fill in an end of year report.

Year Two

Study

Essays

There will again be four essays for the year.

Manuals: Fruitfulness: your appointed Destiny & Prophetic Church

As in Year One, two manuals will be studied over the year and will form the basis for some of the online discussion.

NB Those who have done study last year from the Prophetic Church book will have any essays already done accredited towards work for this part of the course. It will mean that some may finish the second year work earlier because of this.

Practical

Meeting Up – Long Weekend Away

It is intended that there will be a long weekend residential during the second year. The cost of this will be kept to a minimum and it will focus on team building and ministry training. The details and development for this are not set and I would value student input into this. The weekend away could be a discussion topic at some point on the website.

Final report

In addition to the end of year report from yourself and your church leader, there will be a final report from the course leader and a fail, pass, or pass with distinction given.

Course Fees

Year One: £100
Year Two: £100

This does not cover the costs of the weekend away in Year Two or the costs of the visits to other Barnabas Churches.  It does cover the cost of the four course manuals at £10 each. This can deducted if you already have them.  Refunds will not be given except in extreme circumstances.