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Track I
Theological Foundations I
Last fall, as part of the Wednesday Gatherings, we started a course on Theological Foundations I, covering six sessions on God, Holy Scripture, and unconditional election.
For the fall of 2024, the next three sessions will study God’s creation and human sin, and the plan is to teach them in a seminar-style gathering on Friday night, November 1, 6:00pm–9:00pm. Please register by October 1.
November 1 registration closed.
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Yes, there is, but think of it less as homework and more as a way to steep your mind and heart in rich theological truth. Prior to the seminar on November 1, we ask that each participant complete a “devotional walk-through” of the topics:
God’s Creation of the Universe and Man (Part 1)
God’s Creation of the Universe and Man (Part 2)
Man’s Sin and Fall from Fellowship with God
These are lessons 7–9 in the Theological Foundations I curriculum from Bethlehem College and Seminary. A student guide will be provided for each participant.
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To get the most from our Friday night session on November 1, each participant will be given a workbook to complete prior to the seminar. The fee covers the printing of these materials.
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There is a deadline (Oct. 1) because we want to leave each participant enough time to complete the devotional walk-through of the topics covered in the seminar.
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Yes, please register you and your spouse as participants but ‘apply discount’ code: SHARE1 in order to purchase only one copy of the workbook materials. Your total registration fee should then equal $20.
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Yes, God willing. The plan is to complete the entire Theological Foundations course by focusing on three topics per seminar.
The next seminar will be held in Q1 of 2025 (date forthcoming), which will cover the topic of Christology.
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The seminar will be led by Pastor Jonathan and others from the pastoral team.
Ecclesiology 101
This course aims to deepen each participant’s understanding of ecclesiology and missiology — What is the church, and what is her mission? Through engaging selected readings and relevant media, personal reflection, and a mixture of teaching and group discussions, each person who completes this course will be better equipped to:
Understand the doctrine of the church, and articulate its relevance for the Christian life;
Experience a renewed sense of Jesus’s realness;
Develop a prayerful, Spirit-dependent vision for mature membership in the local church.
Track II
Men’s cohort registration closed.
Women’s cohort registration closed.
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Yes, this course is part of Track II of The Cities Institute, which replaces what we previously called “the leadership pipeline.” The structure and purpose of the pipeline is retained — to equip the members of our church to serve as leaders, formally or informally, either at Cities Church or one of our plants — but the curriculum is new and open to anyone interested in growing in their theological knowledge.
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Throughout the 12-week period, each participant is expected to complete around 300 pages of reading. You can do it!
You may purchase the books from any online bookseller.
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Following the patten of our Life Group structure, the cohorts will be small and gender-specific, with the men cohorts taught by men and the women cohorts taught by women.
Gatherings will include a short teaching and group discussion.
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Saturday mornings are the best time for the largest amount of people. With the class times being the first half of Saturday, we still leave most of the day for family time and recreation.
Men's cohorts will be meeting at 6:30–8:00am and 8:00–9:30am. The women’s cohort will meet 9:00–10:30am.
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Yes, we are planning to offer this course again, along with two other courses within Track II of The Cities Institute, on a rotating basis.
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Pastors Mike Schumann, Mike Polley, and Jonathan Parnell will each lead a men's cohort.
Andrea Hoglund will lead the women's cohort.
The Cities Institute exists to provide the theological foundations for a life of discipleship and gospel advance.
Divided into three tracks, TCI offers learning pathways for the entire church, developing leaders, and specialized residencies.
Track I
Goal
To educate our membership in theological foundations in accordance with the Leadership Affirmation of Faith
Structure
Large, mixed gathering
4 courses
2 years
Track II
Goal
To equip men & women for formal and informal leadership at Cities Church or one of our church plants
Structure
Gender-specific cohorts
3 courses
18 months
Track III
Goal
To prepare men & women for the vocation of church planting and global missions
Structure
One-on-one training
12-18 month residency
Questions about TCI?
Get involved at Cities!