Local Church Implementation Plan
Implementation Plan
The following is a three-phase process to implement The Theology Program (TTP) in your local venue. The suggestions that follow are just that—suggestions. The staff and advisory board of The Theology Program are aware that programs will differ according to the purpose, culture, and audience of each church. This is why we allow freedom in the implementation of this program in your local setting. You may or may not decide to follow the suggestions exactly. What we are confident of is the fact that people with the Spirit of God in them thirst for a deeper element of discovery that is difficult, if not impossible, to provide in the modern church setting of biblical education. Although a program like this requires much time and commitment, we know God will be faithful to your endeavor. We at TTP are committed to helping you in whatever way we can.
Phase 1
Understand the program. The first step necessary to implementing TTP is to become familiar with the mission, purpose, and values of the program. A firm grasp of where this type of program fits into your education program at your church or small group is imperative. Please review the PowerPoint presentation of the program on the local church resource page.
For lay-people wishing to implement the program: Meet with your church leaders and request that TTP become part of their Christian education program. Use the PowerPoint presentation in the local church resource page to explain the program. Often, there are many questions that you may not be able to answer. The staff of TTP is willing to be a part of this meeting through a conference call or by traveling to your area.
Determine your audience. You will also have to decide if you are going to open enrollment up to other churches in your community and the unchurched. TTP is a wonderful way to reach out to the community. What you will find is that many people who would never step foot in a church to attend regular services will be open to coming to a class on theology. Currently, at Stonebriar Community Church’s TTP we have 20-30 percent of our students come from the community.
Determine your start date. We strongly suggest that you run your semesters concurrently with the on-line program so that your people can benefit from the weekly on-line discussions that take place with TTP students all over the world.
Contact the local church cordinator to inform of your intentions.
Make the suggested minimum donation of $200 per year to Reclaiming the Mind Ministries..
Purchase material for leaders.
Leaders needs
Required: PowerPoint Presentation, course workbook, course textbooks, course DVD sets to view (if facilitating) and to loan for students who miss sessions
Suggested: Honors reading material and Essential reading material (listed in syllabus).
Phase 2
This phase involves the administrative side of the program.
Three months prior to class:
Reserve the rooms (if at a church). Hopefully, your church has access to a PowerPoint projector for the DVDs. If you do not one, it is suggested that you do your best to get them. If you cannot, you can use a traditional DVD player and TV.
Two months prior to class:
Create brochures. You can use the official TTP church material that we have provided here. One of the brochures has a blank page for your church to use if you need it.
List the ministry and schedule on your website with relevant enrollment information. Please create a link to Reclaiming the Mind page on your website.
Seven weeks before class:
Distribute TTP brochures. Give a brochure to everyone in the church. Include them in the Sunday worship folders.
Promote the program. Promote the classes from the pulpit. Explain to the congregation that your church is committed to this program. This will give people time to see if they can set aside ten weeks to begin the program. You do not have to sell them on the entire program before they take the first class. You must understand that this may be something new and fearful to the people. It will take enough persuasion to get them into the first class, much less sell them on the entire program. The people will become committed to the program during the first class.
Six weeks before class:
Begin the enrollment process. Make sure that you have a database or other record keeping system that will support all the personal information that is needed, record the grades, and support the program with e-mails. Microsoft Excel works well as a database tool to collect and record the needed information.
Set the cost. Churches typically charge $100 per course. This cost may or may not cover the Student Notebook and course textbook. While some may want to offer the courses free of charge, we do not suggest you do so. We have found that where there is no cost, there is no commitment. For example, we have seen scholarship programs offered and found that the recipients of the scholarships have a very high drop-out rate.
Purchase the material for students from the RMM store. If you do not have the budget to purchase the textbooks up front, purchase them the first week of class. You may find that the majority of the people do not sign up until a week or two before classes begin.
Students needs
Required: Course workbooks and textbooks.
Suggested: Honors reading books
One week before class:
Print name tags for each student. This will help you and the students to get to know each other.
Test your A/V equipment. This will help to make sure that things go smoothly on opening night.
Pray. Because you are starting this program out of a desire to teach people about the wonder and greatness of our God, it may be superfluous to tell you to be in constant prayer for the program, but I will remind you anyway—PRAY. Pray for the presence of God with the program.
May God bless your ministry
Local Church Coordinator: Contact our local church coodinator, Michael by email. He can answer any questions that you have. You can also call at 405-410-3039, 9am-5pm Mon-Fri.
