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Our Purpose

The purpose of Grace Edmonton's Leadership Development program is to teach, train, and test men in the hands-on environment of a local church, in order to prepare and evaluate them for the possibility of future biblical eldership and church planting, either with Grace Edmonton or with another church or ministry (e.g. missions).

Our Emphasis

Feel free to read through our doctrinal emphasis below
Our Doctrinal Emphasis

Our Plan

Our plan is threefold:
  • Teaching: The elders of Grace Edmonton will provide instruction in matters of doctrine, evangelism, church practice, and biblical eldership. Teaching will rarely be in the form of lecture, but rather, most often, through discussions with the elders and other leaders. In addition, participants will be given reading, writing, and Scripture memory assignments, and may be required to attend or listen to specified Bible conferences or lectures.
  • Training: Participants will be given numerous opportunities to hone their teaching skills. These will most often be in the context of the elder/leadership meetings and home gatherings, but may also include teaching at our whole-church gatherings. Teaching and preaching will be evaluated and critiqued by the elders and others who can provide sound, pertinent input.
  • Testing: Participants will be required to attend a regular meeting with one or more of the elders. The times and length of these meetings may vary. It will be helpful for trainees to have a somewhat flexible schedule. Participants will also be assigned the duties of planning, coordinating, and carrying out much of the necessary work involved in the various activities of the church. In this way they will not only serve the body of Christ and relieve the elders, but will also have the opportunity to demonstrate their eagerness to be found faithful in whatever tasks they are assigned.

Prerequisites

Because we will make a significant investment in a developing leader, not just anyone may be a part of the program. A prospective participant in the leadership development program must meet the following criteria:
  • He must be a regular attender of Grace Edmonton's gatherings for a minimum of six months before applying for the leadership development program, and willing to officially partner with the church.

    * Note: The only exception will be in the case of prospective interns who will be moving to our area for the purpose of internship or apprenticeship. In such cases, partnership with Grace Edmonton will still be required before entering the program, but the six-month period will be waived if the prospective intern can provide satisfactory written commendation (as defined in prerequisite #2).
  • He must obtain commendations from three people (not family members) who are known and/or approved by the elders. At least one of these must provide a written commendation. These people must affirm their current and personal awareness of the applicant's character, enthusiasm, self-discipline, work ethic, teachable spirit, submission to leadership, cooperation with others, faithfulness in attendance and participation, etc.
  • He must be in complete agreement with Grace Edmonton's statement of faith as he understands it. If there are points of doctrine that he does not fully understand, or with which he does not fully agree, he is required to disclose his differences and/or lack of understanding in writing before entering the program. The elders will review his written statements and determine whether or not his doctrinal differences and/or lack of understanding are significant enough to preclude him from teaching, in which case he would be ineligible for the intern program.
  • He must be in agreement with Grace Edmonton's vision and values, and our emphasis.
  • He must have a God-given desire, evident giftedness, and every intention, to explore if he can dedicate his life to serving as a pastor, missionary, evangelist, church planter, Bible teacher, etc. Our investment in the training of interns is too significant to allow for those who merely want the experience or education.

Counting the Cost

Like all dedicated Christian ministry, leadership training will place certain necessary demands on a man and his family (e.g. time, energy, extra study, etc.). Men who are already excessively busy with school or work, or those who do not have the full and informed support of significant family members (specifically, wives) should not consider leadership training at this time.

Reading Requirements

Trainees will be required to read 2-3 books during each quarter (every three months). In order to promote cohort learning, all leaders will work through some mandatory books/material. In addition, other suggested resources are recommended. As you work through these resources, write down a one-page summary. Include: (i) key takeaways, (ii) your remaining or new questions, and (iii) action steps to take in light of what you have read. Participants must obtain their own books for these reading assignments.

Tier 1 - Leading Yourself

Self-leadership is the first building block to faithful discipleship and influence. The hardest person that you will ever have to lead is yourself. These books will introduce you to gospel dynamics, theology, and practical skills necessary to lay a good foundation for your journey into leadership.
Gospel Transformation/Dynamics
Apologetics
CHURCH HISTORY
Gospel Community/Ecclesiology
Skills (Personal Productivity)
Bible Study Methods/Hermeneutics
Gospel Foundations
Counselling
Theology
Church
Evangelism
Generosity
Vocational Development

Tier 2 - Leading Others

Transitioning from leading yourself as a disciple to now leading others as either a team leader or counsellor makes it more necessary to fill in would be gaps in skill (leadership) and knowledge (theology). These resources are still meant to be very accessible, but will force you to think more strategically and deeply.
Practical Leadership
Pastoral Leadership (Biblical Counseling)
Theology (Mercy Ministry)
Theology (Understanding God)
Theology (Gospel – Community – Mission)
Theology (Gospel)
Theology (Family / Marriage)
Theology (Money & Possessions)
Apologetics
Vocational Calling

Tier 3 - Leading Organizations (Elders/Pastors/Church Planters)

Most of these resources are not your “light reads” but will force you to think comprehensively about organizational health and culture (leadership), theologically-driven ministry, precise communication of God’s word (preaching), heavy issues that come up regularly in pastoral counselling, and how to guard your own soul in the midst of such weighty tasks.
Theological Vision
Church Structure
Elders
Global Vision
Systematic Theology
Biblical Theology
Understanding the Old Testament
Theology of New Heavens & New Earth
Biblical Counseling / Sexuality
Sexual Abuse
Overcoming the Past
Counseling Self / Pastoral Ministry
Suffering
Preaching & Communication
Church Planting
Leadership

Bonus Resources

The following resources are provided to deepen theological clarity, strengthen gospel fluency, and support lifelong growth in Christ-centered ministry. While not required reading, these books and audio resources have proven especially helpful for leaders who want to grow in biblical understanding, faithful preaching, evangelism, family discipleship, and pastoral wisdom.

These works expand on the core themes of the Leadership Development Program by helping participants:
• read Scripture through a Christ-centered lens
• communicate the gospel with clarity and conviction
• cultivate spiritual depth and joy in God
• strengthen marriages and families in the grace of Christ
• apply biblical truth to everyday ministry and discipleship

Participants are encouraged to engage these resources prayerfully and thoughtfully, discussing insights with mentors and fellow leaders as appropriate. The goal is not simply the accumulation of knowledge, but deeper love for Christ, greater humility, and more faithful service to His church and mission.
Biblical Theology & Hermeneutics
Evangelism & Gospel Clarity
Theology & Christian Life
Old Testament & Biblical Understanding
Marriage & Family / Relationships

Review of an Unbiblical Book (pursuant to Titus 1:9)

In addition to the reading assignments described above, each leadership trainee must review and refute the teaching of one book of his choice (one that is currently in print) that presents Christian doctrine and/or practice in an unbiblical manner. The book must be previously unread and the intern's choice must be approved by an elder. This review should be more in-depth than the summaries of the books listed above, and at least 4 pages in length (typed, single-spaced).

Scripture Memory

Each participant must memorize passages of Scripture. Scripture memory may be done using your preferred English translation (but verify with one of your pastors first).

Expectations

  • Be an active covenant partner of Grace Edmonton who effectively embodies what it means to be a mature disciple of Jesus – including: Ownership of the Sunday gathering; An active participant/leader in a Gospel Community Group; Serve the Church and our mission; Give Generously; and Share your faith. 

  • Set a few goals for yourself. How are you going to grow...
    Head: Biblical Thinking 

    Heart: Godly Character/holiness

    Hands: Ministry Skill/mission/service/giving/etc.
  • It is an expectation that you are leading/preparing to lead in an area of ministry: Lead a serving team, Gospel Community leader, etc. This is so that none of your learning is done in a vacuum but with real people and faces in mind. Theological education is best done in the context of messy missional ministry. It is way harder for idealism to infect your thinking with real people all around. Additionally, often our best ideas don’t actually work. You will learn while your hands are dirty. 

  • You will meet regularly with a pastoral mentor to process through issues of Head, Heart and Hands.
  • At the end of your time, you will allow other people to speak into whether or not they recognize a calling in your life to continue toward elder/pastor, or vocational ministry.
  • At the end of the year, celebrate what God is doing and has done! 


Apply for Internship and leadership training

Internship Agreement

Agenda and goals:

 

To come alongside pastors with common passion and vision to: cultivate communities of Spirit-led disciples who redemptively engage the peoples and cultures of Edmonton and beyond through Christ for the glory of God. In addition to possessing similar vision/values, philosophy of ministry and theology of Grace Edmonton, this minister is to help lead in the church in discipleship and mission. We will expect creative cooperation with other leaders in cultivating mission as a way of life. This will be accomplished through strategic collaboration, personal research, ministry experimentation, and dependence upon the Holy Spirit in order to help lead the church in its mission in the city and for the city.

 

 

Qualifications:

 

  • Diligently seeks a vital and growing personal relationship with the Lord. In seeking to know and love Jesus in a growing way, will be a student of the Scriptures and a person of prayer. Will keep watch over self and over the flock (Acts 20:28) and pay close attention to himself/herself as well as their doctrine (1 Tim. 4:16). Under God’s strong hand, will seek to manage the household well, role appropriately (1 Tim. 3:4,5) by loving their spouse as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25) and by bringing children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6:4). In all areas of life and witness, will seek to shepherd the people of Grace Fellowship by being an example to the flock (1 Peter 5:3).
  • Needs to be reliable and a self-starter who can also work independently within appropriate deadlines.
  • Is able to work on a team toward specific goals in a mutually edifying and supportive manner.
  • Maintains a teachable and open attitude.
  • Has a commitment to the Vision, Mission, Statement of Faith, and Core Values of Grace Edmonton.

 

 

General Commitments and Expectations:

 

  • Be on time for appointments. Communicate promptly if you need to cancel or reschedule.
  • Commit to addressing the agreed upon issues and following through on assignments unless prohibited by unforeseen challenges.
  • Register for and complete any Grace theological training offered (ie. Once we start them, our interactive Bible seminars are required for all our interns.)
  • Read 2 of the recommended books during each quarter of internship (i.e. 2 books every three months). After reading each book, the intern must submit a written overview, no more than 2 pages in length (typed, single-spaced), which he will distribute and verbally summarize at one of the intern meetings. Interns must obtain their own books for these reading assignments.
  • Read one unbiblical book during the year. (pursuant to Titus 1:9) Each intern must review and refute the teaching of one book that will either be assigned or agreed upon by your mentor that presents Christian doctrine and/or practice in an unbiblical manner. This review should be more in-depth than the summaries of the books listed above, and at least 4 pages in length (typed, single-spaced).
  • Memorize a meaningful passage of Scripture approved by an elder each quarter of internship.
  • Attend and be prepared for all prayer, planning, and training meetings.
  • Meet at the gathering location on Sundays no later than 9:00 am for the prayer meeting (on time) (minimum of 46 weeks in the year). Absences are to be pre-arranged with the exception of emergencies.
  • Stay to the end of each Sunday gathering: purposefully making gospel connections.
  • Must be willing to be sent out as a Gospel Community leader or apprentice leader, and serve as a teacher in Grace Kids as part of the practical portion of the internship in order that what is being learned is not just theoretical. Pray for each person in your Gospel Community regularly and commit to making regular connections with those in your Gospel Community outside the gatherings.
  • Use special gifting/talents to initiate areas of ministry in consultation with elders.
  • Confidentiality will be maintained except where permission is expressly granted or where disclosures affect the ability to continue serving in a ministry capacity.
  • Give generously and regularly to the gospel ministry of Grace Edmonton.
  • Support one another in prayer.

 

If questions arise, one of your local pastors are available via email and phone.

Length of intern commitment: This intern agreement will be in effect for one year. At that point, we’ll evaluate the effectiveness of the relationship and the present situation and make a decision as to whether it would be beneficial to continue for another set period of time.

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