1. “Love the Lord your God with all your . . . Mind!”

2. What is Thoughtworks?
A vision for theological mentoring in the local church
A way to build a strong theological foundation for kingdom ministry in the local church
A way to perpetuate biblically sound leadership for the next generation

3. But Why Study Theology? “Theology is faith seeking understanding
in an authentic way”
Everyone thinks theologically,
but is it good theology or bad?

4. “Guard what has been entrusted to you.” 1 Tim 6:20
A good pastor is like a chief navigator, whose job is to dynamically chart a course through known reefs and hazards, to bring the ship safely to a required destination.

5. The Balance
2 Tim. 2:15 “. . . A diligent workman handling accurately the word of truth.”
Acts 4:13 “Peter & John were uneducated men but were recognizable as having been with Jesus.”

6. How do we currently train Vineyard pastors?
Apprentice model of preparation
Strong on gifting & character
Strong on practical skills
Weaker on theological training
The apprentice model has great strengths, but we need to address its weaknesses.

7. Do you need 4 years in seminary?
No!!
You need a good foundation for life-long theological study
Bible school or Seminary gives you a good foundation plus several stories on top of that!

8. Four Areas of Study: The Foundation Stones of Good Theology

9. Defining the Foundation Stones
How to know what the Bible says
Both the big picture,
the Grand Narrative
And the little picture, the individual stories
and sayings
“Biblical Foundations” (Exegetical)

10. Defining the Foundation Stones
What does the biblical message mean for us today?
How can we organize its content to speak and apply it?
“God Thoughts” (Systematic / Biblical)

11. Defining the Foundation Stones
What has the ancient church said and done that shapes who we are today?
What can we learn from the ancient church for our benefit today?
“Ancient – Future Church” (Historical)

12. Defining the Foundation Stones
Skills for:
Proclaiming the Kingdom
Doing the works of the Kingdom
Bringing justice to the Poor and Oppressed
“Kingdom Encounters”
(Practical)

13. How Do We Lay Good Foundations?
The Settler Approach
Essentials First
Build on Essentials
Support & Monitoring

14. Biblical Foundations Yr. 1 – Rick Williams, Biblical Overview (VBI) &
Derek Morphew, Intro to Biblical
Interpretation (VBI)
Yr. 2 – Peter Davids, Biblical Interpretation (VBI)
Yr. 3 – Bill Jackson, Nothinsgonnastopit (The Bible through a Kingdom lens)
Yr. 4 – Scot McKnight, The Blue Parakeet: Rethinking How You Read the Bible

15. God Thoughts Yr. 1 – Gary Best, Naturally Supernatural
Yr. 2 – Derek Morphew, Breakthrough, VBI Course
Yr. 3 – Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God:
Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative
Yr. 4 – H. Stone & J. Duke, How to Think Theologically [and] Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart

16. Ancient – Future Church
Yr. 1 – Bill Jackson, The Quest for the Radical Middle
Yr. 2 – George G. Hunter III, The Celtic Way of Evangelism
Yr. 3 – John Wimber, Power Evangelism [and] Power Healing
Yr. 4 – Justo Gonzalez, The Story of Christianity: The Early Church to the Present Day

17. Kingdom Encounters Yr. 1 – Don Rousu, Preparing a Message [Homiletics]
Yr. 2 – H. Cloud & J. Townsend, How People Grow,
[Sanctification/Discipleship]
Yr. 3 – Alexander Venter, Doing Healing
Yr. 4 – Don & Ruth Rousu, Healing and Mentoring the Inner Man

18. So….How Does This Work? For interns & developing pastoral leaders
Already in relationship with existing pastor
Pace of completion is flexible, but the standard should be upheld
Church plants would best begin after the individual is through most of the theological training.

19. So….How Does This Work? Seminary or Bible School students or graduates
Need to add the following items to their studies some Vineyard distinctives:
The Quest for the Radical Middle
Power Evangelism & Power Healing
Kingdom of God I, II and III
Preparing a Message

20. So….How Does This Work? For Current Vineyard Pastors
Work through the TESA to see where the gaps may be in your background
Review Thoughtworks curriculum and see where you have had equivalent training
Develop a Thoughtworks plan to fill any gaps
Join with 1 or 2 other pastors near you and meet regularly (once a month?) to share with your learning community

21. Theological Education and Skills Assessment (TESA)
TESA is a tool to assess the theological skills required by a lead overseer of a local church
Accurate exegesis
Respond biblically to doctrinal issues
Distinguish orthodoxy from heresy
Handle pastoral issues with theological insight & accuracy

22. So….How Will This Work?
Each region has a Thoughtworks contact person to:
Answer questions, provide input on planning a course of study, facilitate Intensive weekends, etc.

23. So….How Will This Work?
The Theological Mentoring Development Group’s role:
-- To plan, write, and promote the curriculum
To monitor the program (not to mentor)
To assess & revise Thoughtworks
To assist in delivering resources

24. Identifying and Providing The Essential Building Blocks
For Your Ministry