Training Leaders

How do you train co-vocational leaders if they don't go to seminary?

I’ve been blessed to speak at events, workshops, and podcasts about disciple-making movements. Without fail, one question about our co-vocational leaders always surfaces:

If they didn’t go to seminary, how do you know they teach proper theology?

While I understand that structured theological education is important, we need to radically rethink its role within the priesthood of all believers. This question assumes that theology is complicated and inaccessible and that truth is only attainable through a degree. I couldn’t disagree more.

Behind closed doors, denominational leaders often acknowledge that the 19th- and 20th-century systems of producing leaders no longer make sense in today’s post-Christian world. The traditional model is too expensive, slow, and theoretical, and it fails to activate the broader body of Christ effectively.

Let’s challenge the assumptions behind the question:

1. Theology is not complicated. While there are nuanced and esoteric questions, the beauty of the Gospel is its simplicity. It is easy to understand and transmit.
   

2. Scripture is sufficient. If we focus on teaching people to read and interpret the Bible properly, we’ll avoid many theological pitfalls.
   

3. Movements thrive on organic training. Many of the most significant movements in history have trained their leaders organically rather than through formal systems.

Our goal is that within four years of being part of our community, every individual will be equipped to make disciples who make disciples with minimal oversight.

How Do We Train Leaders?

1. Daily Devotions
   Every day, our entire movement studies scripture together. We don’t write devotionals or add supplementary content. Instead, we train people to develop the habit of daily scripture reading. You can see our current devotions map here: Devotions Map.
   

2. Training for Everyone
   We believe everyone is called to be a disciple-making disciple. From the beginning, we train people in theological basics. Our primary tool for this is Living Sent: Discovering Jesus.
   

3. Digital Platforms + Real-World Relationships
   Every leader goes through an apprenticeship with an experienced disciple who walks alongside them. At the same time, they complete online training with leaders across our campuses. We automate much of this through Engage Spaces.
   

4. Covenant Community
   As a community, we’ve written down our theological convictions. These statements provide clarity on essential beliefs and controversial issues, fostering unity within our family. They are captured in a series of short covenants that play a vital role in our discipleship process.
   

5. Trust in the Holy Spirit
   We trust the Holy Spirit to lead and speak to our people. Jesus promised that the Spirit would guide us into all truth (John 16). Part of our training involves teaching people to discern and respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

By equipping leaders this way, we’re seeing the priesthood of all believers activated—not through the old systems of institutional dependence but through a focus on scripture, community, and the Holy Spirit’s power.