Purpose
WBC Equip Cohorts seeks to prepare members for gospel ministry and leadership at WBC. This cohort will specifically focus on ecclesiology, including discussions on a biblical philosophy of ministry, the nature and essence of the church, the theology of worship, and the church’s mission.
– Members from other churches may be considered with the recommendation of their local church’s pastor and blessing.
– Cohort members will study, write, and teach a Sunday evening Scriptural devotion, youth bible study, or Journey 2911 College & Career study. The pastor overseeing that gathering will supervise the teaching.
Format
The Ecclesiology Cohort will meet on the last Thursday of the month from 6 to 9. This meeting will involve spiritual development through Bible study, prayer, and reading discussions. This cohort will aim to encourage both the philosophy and practice of ministry.
Biblical Study
The Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy-Titus)
Reading List
August
John Hammett. Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2019.
Assignment: Write 1-2 paragraphs answering the question, what is a Baptist view of the church?
September
Benjamin L. Merkle. Why Elders? Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2009.
Matt Smethurst. Deacons: How they Serve and Strengthen the Church. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021.
- Read 1 Timothy
- Lay Elder Guest
- Deacon Guest
- Assignment: Write 1-2 paragraphs discussing the differences between elders and deacons.
October
Mark Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church 4 th ed (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021)
- Read 2 Timothy
- Assignment: Write 1-2 paragraphs defending what you believe to be the most important mark of a healthy church and why.
November
Kevin Deyoung & Greg Gilbert, What is the Church’s Mission (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011)
- Read Titus
- Assignment: Be prepared to discuss how Waldo’s mission is or is not consistent with the thesis of Deyoung & Gilbert’s book.
December
Matt Merker. Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God’s People. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021.
Assignment: Write 1-2 paragraphs on whether you agree or disagree with the regulative principle as communicated by Merker.