Theological Forums

A Plan for Theological Training within the local church.

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“Churches cannot and must not abdicate their primary responsibility to train ministers of the gospel and to declare them ready for ministry when the time comes.” — Hershael York.

Theological Forums is a response to that calling. A church-based continuing education pathway for theological training for local church elders and pastors, future elders, and lay leaders.

Each forum is built around pre-forum reading, a Saturday gathering, and a post-forum assignment, so learning together leads to worship, maturity, and faithful service.

Theological Forum Info Booklet

Theological Forum Strategy Booklet

⇧Flipbook (click thumbnail)

Download PDF

Theological Forum Objectives

Increased
Knowledge

We study so that we may know God.
(Col 1:10)

Enhanced
Exposition

We study to faithfully preach and teach Scripture.
(2 Tim 2:2)

Deepened
Worship

We study so that we may worship and obey Christ.
(Heb 12:28)

Growing
Christlikeness

We study so that the church may conform to the image of Christ. (Eph 4:22–24)

Increased
Knowledge

We study so that we may know God.
(Col 1:10)

Enhanced
Exposition

We study to faithfully preach and teach Scripture.
(2 Tim 2:2)

Deepened
Worship

We study so that we may worship and obey Christ.
(Heb 12:28)

Growing
Christlikeness

We study so that the church may conform to the image of Christ. (Eph 4:22–24)

Church-based theological training is necessary “because the Word commends it, the apostolic practice modeled it, the next generation requires it, and the lost shall remain eternally lost without it.” — David Helm

The Five Pillars of Theological Forums

Local Church Accountable
Objective: church accountability through proximity and ownership

Matt 16:18; 1 Cor 12:4-7, 14:26; Col 3:16-17; Titus 1:5, 2:11-15

Relationally Assisted
Objective: theological learning sharpened through peer-led discussion

Eph 2:19-22; 4:14-16; 1 Thess 2:1-13

Distinctively Biblical
Objective: increased knowledge of God resulting in obedience and Christlikeness

2 Tim 3:16-17; 2:2; 2 John 1-2; 1 Pet 1:23-25

Corporate Christ-likeness
Objective: contextually motivated learning resulting in assessment and application

Eph 4:20-24; Col 1:9-10; 2 Pet 1:3-4

Life-Long Theological Learning
Objective: continuous theological learning

2 Tim 4:1-2; Rom 15:4; 2 Pet 1:5-15

Theological
Forum

Community Baptist Church

Church-based theological training is necessary “because the Word commends it, the apostolic practice modeled it, the next generation requires it, and the lost shall remain eternally lost without it.” — David Helm

Theological Forum Info Booklet

Theological Forum Strategy Booklet ⇧Flipbook

(Please review for full overview)

Topics chosen from an Eight Theological Study “Bucket” Sequence