Whitefish church offering leadership course

As the pastor of Whitefish Foursquare Church, the Rev. Paul Ogle knows that lay leadership is crucial to the work of any church.

He hopes the new Christian Leadership Training Institute will go a long way toward filling leadership gaps in churches throughout the valley.

"When I talk to other pastors, their need is always 'I wish we had more people who would step up to leadership,'" Ogle said. "They want people with the confidence and the calling to feel that 'I'm not just a worker bee, but I could lead a ministry.'

"My desire is to see an army of lay leaders supporting paid staff," he said.

Whitefish Foursquare's new program is for those involved in all facets of congregational life - Sunday school teachers, home group leaders, elders, worship teams and more.

Ogle, whose education experience goes back to 12 years of work with a Bible college in London, wanted to create a place where people could expand on their church leadership skills but not have to leave their jobs or families to do so. The emphasis, he said, is on taking what is learned at the institute and using it to further the work of local churches.

Members of four valley churches were represented in the first session offered at the Christian Leadership Training Institute, which began with two classes in January.

The program seeks to balance the spiritual and the practical by offering two tracks, covering both theological knowledge and leadership skills. Sometimes, Ogle said, there is an emphasis on biblical learning at the expense of practical skills necessary to carry out a ministry effectively.

Under the "Practical and Ministry Skills" track, the first six-week session offered "Becoming a Lifelong Christian Learner and Teacher," covering topics such as constructing effective presentations for all age groups. It was held at Whitefish Foursquare Church on five Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The final test is today.

The course was led by institute directors Greg and Cheryl Beck, who both have education degrees and taught many years in the Whitefish public school system, and institute administrator and Whitefish Foursquare children's pastor Karla Kane.

Ogle took the course himself.

"I wanted to hone my study skills," he said. "Greg and Cheryl brought a perspective from their years as high school teachers, that they brought up a lot of things I hadn't ever thought of."

Ogle taught the initial course in the "Bible and Theology" track, "Biblical Hermeneutic Principles - Wisdom Through Understanding," held Sundays from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The wrap-up testing for this class is Sunday.

"It's only five hours in a weekend's time," Kane said. "The study and the prep time in the week is minimal, even if you're a mother or working a full-time job."

There will be a two-year cycle of 12 classes, during which students can usually jump in at any time. The classes are largely self-contained, though some have prerequisites. Students can choose to take classes in one or both tracks.

The institute is not yet operating under accredited status, but Ogle said accreditation might be in its future. The current curriculum draws from a variety of sources, including material from the accredited Faith Chapel school in Billings and Lakeside's Youth With a Mission.

Ogle expects that instructors from outside Whitefish Foursquare will take on teaching responsibilities. He would also like to see students from a wide variety of local churches.

"We recognize that we don't all say exactly the same things or have the same emphasis," he said. "If you're going to be a leader, you have to handle the fact that people don't always agree. The more diversity we have in students and leaders, the more it will equip us to be better leaders."

All course work will be biblically based, Ogle stressed.

The cost of the institute is $40 paid in advance for each individual course, or $10 a class if paid weekly, plus the cost of a textbook.

The next session begins on April 23. The Saturday practical skills class will be an extension of "Becoming a Lifelong Christian Learner and Teacher" and the Sunday theology course is "Jesus Seen Through the Gospels - Back to Basics."

For more information or to register, call the church at 862-1653 or visit www.whitefishfoursquare.org

Christian Leadership Training Institute two-year cycle of courses

Practical and Ministry Skills

"Unforgettable Truth I - Becoming a Lifelong Christian Learner and Teacher"

"Unforgettable Truth II - Becoming a Lifelong Christian Learner and Teacher"

"Church History - Learn From It or Be Doomed"

"Managing God's Financial Resources - Wise Stewardship in Difficult Times"

"Leadership I - Developing a Leader's Mindset"

"Leadership II - Comforting and Confronting"

Bible and Theology

"Biblical Hermeneutic Principles - Wisdom Through Understanding"

"Jesus Seen Through the Gospels - Back to Basics"

"Overview of the Old Testament - Get a Handle on the Past"

"Overview of the New Testament - New Life in the New Covenant"

"Romans & Galatians - The Gospel of Grace"

"I Corinthians - Those Problem Charismatics"