Porterbrook: ROC 2013-14 introduction

Porterbrook Network Learning Site

Rochester was the 11th Porterbrook learning site in the U.S. and is one of 27 current sites

What is Porterbrook Network?

Porterbrook Network is a two-year church-based theological training program with a supported self-study structure with others who are training in a similar field, church or geographic affiliation.

The Porterbrook Story

The Porterbrook Network was born out of 20 plus years of ministry in Sheffield, England and the United Kingdom in 2006.

Porterbrook Founders

Steve Timmis and Tim Chester, co-authors of Total Church and founders of The Crowded House, created The Porterbrook Network in response to a conviction for churches to become more Gospel-Centered and for new Gospel-Centered churches to be planted.

The Porterbrook Vision

The vision of Porterbrook is to equip individuals and churches to rediscover mission as their DNA, to become better lovers of God and lovers of others, and to proclaim the Gospel through word and action for the Glory of God.

Porterbrook’s Reach

Beginning in Sheffield, England, Porterbrook Learning has grown to host Learning Sites and Local Groups throughout the U.K., U.S., Canada, Italy, Ukraine, India, South Africa, and Australia.

Porterbrook Learning material is currently being translated into many languages and has been translated into Chinese, Russian, and Italian.

What sort of churches are involved?

Many churches within various denominations are using Porterbrook at learning sites or within their own churches.

Porterbrook is being used with PCA, SBC/Founders, Acts 29 and non-denominational Calvinist or Reformed churches.

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porterbrookROC.com

Porterbrook Learning Site

As a Porterbrook Learning site, Porterbrook: ROC offers the full Porterbrook Learning curriculum.

As a Porterbrook Learning site, we offer this not just to one church, but to the community at large.

Porterbrook 2013-14

• Three terms: fall, winter, spring

Porterbrook 2013-14


• Weekly self-study assignments in the four course areas

Porterbrook 2013-14



• Weekly cohort (group) meetings

Porterbrook 2013-14




• Once per term seminar day at ECF, includes lunch

Porterbrook 2013-14




• Once per term seminar day at ECF, includes lunch

• Online community interaction

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Porterbrook Community

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Porterbrook Curriculum

Four Streams:

• Bible and Doctrine

• Character

• Church

• World

Porterbrook Curriculum

Foundation Year: Bible and Doctrine

• Understanding God’s Story (fall)

• The Holy Spirit (winter)

• Union With Christ (spring)

Foundation Year: Bible and Doctrine

Course Structure

• Each course has nine units. We work through one unit per week for each of the four courses.

Course Structure


• Each course has an assignment. There are two options:

Course Structure



1. Speak on the topic for 5 to 10 minutes at one of our once-per-term seminars

Course Structure



1. Speak on the topic for 5 to 10 minutes at one of our once-per-term seminars

2. Write up to 500 words (two pages, double-spaced) on the topic

Course Structure

• Each unit has some exercises or questions to think about. It’s good to make some notes to discuss these with your cohort

Course Structure

• Each unit has some exercises or questions to think about. It’s good to make some notes to discuss these with your cohort.

• Some units have video or outside reading. Most have Bible passages to read. Videos are good to watch together if you can.

Course Structure

• Note: when you see the word “residential” or references to “at the residential,” some Porterbrook Learning centers draw from a wide area and meet on site for a weekend once per term.

• Substitute “at our seminar days”

Foundation Year: Character

• Gospel Living (fall)

• Gospel Relationships (winter)

• Gospel Change (spring)

Foundation Year: Character

Foundation Year: Church

• Missional Community Life (fall)

• Keeping It Missional (winter)

• Church History in Missional Perspective (spring)

Foundation Year: Church

Foundation Year: World

• Apologetics (fall)

• Evangelism (winter)

• Culture (spring)

Foundation Year: World

Advanced Year: Bible and Doctrine

• The Bible in Missional Perspective

• Bible Teaching in Missional Perspective

• Bible Truth in Missional Perspective

Advanced Year: Character

• Living the Cross and Resurrection

• Pastoral Care: Part 1

• Pastoral Care: Part 2

Advanced Year: Church

• Missional Church and Church Planting

• Gospel-Centered Leadership

• Beyond the Church Plant

Advanced Year: World

• Engaging with Context

• Engaging with the Urban Poor

• Engaging with the City

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At the completion of each year

Goals for Porterbrook: ROC

• Train future leaders for our churches



• Raise up church planters and church plants




• Foster fellowship among churches




• Foster fellowship among churches

• Grow our churches




• Foster fellowship among our churches

• Grow our churches

• Above all: spread the Gospel in our area

Fees

• Registration/Seminar Fee: $25/term

• Porterbrook Curriculum Fee, paid directly to Porterbrook: $28 per course, or $112 total. Provides online access to course materials

• After registering locally, you’ll receive a code to allow access to register for the curriculum.

Spiritual

Porterbrook: ROC 2013-14 introduction