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Orientation Weekend
There will be an orientation weekend at Frontline Downtown on the evening of Friday, September 8 and the morning of Saturday, September 9. Dinner and breakfast will be provided. During this weekend, we will lay out expectations for the cohort, teach on what it means to be an elder, and focus on spiritual leadership and integration.
PANEL NIGHTS
Once a month (except in December), we will gather for a Panel Night at Frontline Downtown from 6:30p–9:00p. At these Panel Nights, three cohort participants will field questions for 30 minutes over a specific theological topic. Panels will include general theological questions, as well as pastoral scenarios. Questions will be asked by the elders at their discretion.
Panelists will need to be prepared to answer questions using the Bible as their only reference source. In addition, one 3" x 5" index card will be allowed for pre-written notes. Following each panel, there will be a 25-minute teaching over that topic, as well as 15 minutes for elders to answer any questions you may have. There will be two panels each night. You can expect to serve on at least 2 panels throughout the entirety of the cohort. However, you will not know in advance which panel you will be on.
We have provided required reading and recommended study materials to help you prepare for each Panel Night. Dates, topics, readings, and resources can be found here.
PEER GROUP GATHERINGS
In addition to the monthly Panel Nights, you will be assigned to a smaller Peer Group, usually led by elders of your congregation. Once a month (except in December), there will be a Peer Group gathering, which will be focused on heart work, practice, and pastoral leadership. Each gathering will be centered around check-ins, book discussions, and integrative exercises. Dates and locations for Peer Group Gatherings will be determined by your Peer Group Leader.
Books
You can find a month-by-month breakdown of the books you will be reading throughout the cohort here. Each reading should be completed by that month's Peer Group gathering. Upon completion, you will be required to fill out a monthly reflection on what you have read. You can submit this reflection through the form found here.
MID-TERM EVALUATION
During the month of December, there will not be a Panel Night or a Peer Group Gathering. Instead, Peer Group Leaders will schedule a mid-term evaluation with you to assess your growth and development thus far in the cohort. Next steps and recommendations for further development may come out of this evaluation.
CAPSTONE EVENING
On May 13, in lieu of a Panel Night, we will have a capstone evening at Frontline Downtown from 6:30p–9:00p. In our final gathering all together, we will have an opportunity to look backward and forward.
CELEBRATION DINNER
On May 24th, in lieu of a Peer Group Gathering, you will have a Celebration Dinner with your Peer Group. We will gather together, eat together, and celebrate what God has done. This will be the final night of the cohort.
THEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND NEXT STEPS
Following the Panel Night on April 15, you will be given a written theological assessment for you to fill out, which must be submitted by Monday, May 13. Then, sometime during the months of May and June, your congregational elders will conduct a Next Steps Interview with you to evaluate your growth, development, and theology. Following this interview, you will receive a development plan with recommendations for discipleship and leadership moving forward.