The EQUIP Program

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What would it mean to churches if seminary training came to them?
That is the Equip program.

Ministry Training — in the Church, for the Church

Yellowstone Theological Institute is pioneering a new way of ministry training to meet the needs of local churches in our rapidly-changing world – Equip. The Equip program consists of a series of 8 courses, designed to provide church staff and attenders with high quality theological education covering essential topics of the Christian life. Each course is 9 hours in length and taught by members of YTI’s faculty.

The need for such education is especially great across the Northern Rockies, where local churches are often challenged by population growth coupled with limited resources. In Montana alone the population has jumped by 9.8% in the last decade. Over the same time period, YTI’s hometown of Bozeman has averaged two new church plants per year — and more churches require more trained ministers.

The expense of ministry training is a major obstacle for many churches and aspiring leaders, as is the fact that cities in our region are often a significant distance apart, making it difficult for young ministers or ministry interns to travel or relocate for education. Given these costs and challenges, new ministers are often called straight from the pews with little or no actual practical and theological education. Many churches are turning to online education, and though marginally less expensive, it tends to lack the personal encounter that meaningful theological education demands.

So what would it mean to churches if seminary training came to them? That is the Equip program.

CHURCH COSTS

$1,750 per course*
(Regardless of number of students)
Generous grants are available to help cover costs!

* Plus expenses. Contact YTI office for details

Ask About Our INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL for Churches New to the Equip Program!

EQUIP Courses

EQUIP courses are similar to YTI’s master’s courses on a fundamental level. However, they differ in amount of detail covered and course requirements (you won’t need to worry about writing any papers!) Each class includes 9 hours of instruction and interaction, and courses are delivered in-person or live online via Zoom.

Foundations: Biblical Interpretation and Narrative

The Foundations course introduces the student to the overall narrative structure of the Bible, the various literary forms and styles as well as the methods of biblical interpretation appropriate for teaching and preaching.

Spiritual Practice

This course introduces the student to the spiritual theology, disciplines, and practices integral for the Christian life and ministry.

Old Testament: Text and Narrative

This course introduces the student to the text and narrative of the Old Testament. The course highlights specific narratives, genres, and theologies of the Old Testament, with an emphasis on how those items are applied in Christian ministry.

New Testament: Text and Narrative

This course introduces the student to the text and narrative of the New Testament. The course highlights the life and teachings of Jesus, the coming of the Spirit, the early church and its problems, and meaning found in the Apocalypse of John, with its particular application for the church today.

Basic Leadership: Servant, Collaborative, and Visionary

This course introduces the student to the basic leadership skills necessary for a person in ministry in contemporary culture. The course covers the foundational concept of servant leadership, the goal of collaborative leadership, and the need for true entrepreneurial leadership. READ MORE…

Christian Theology and the Wild God

This course introduces the student to the nature and goals of theological reflection, the nature and character of God, and the specific theological teachings (doctrines) of the Church.

Introduction to Ministry Skills

This course discusses basic skills necessary for everyone who seeks to help people grow into mature disciples of Jesus in today’s church. Along the way, it introduces skills needed for teaching Bible studies and other classes, preparing for a sermon, or serving alongside others in various capacities.

Worldview

This final course introduces the student to the concept of worldview and its relevance to Christian ministry, as well as the practice of cultural hermeneutics. Along the way it considers the definition of worldview and affiliated concepts and explores the Christian worldview, the exegesis of culture, and the expression of the gospel in particular worldviews.

Equip Program Design Options

There are three design options available:

Option 1

Eight courses taught over a three-or-four-year timeframe.

Flat fee for each course.
Unlimited registration.
Promo assistance through literature, video and in-person presentation, if requested
Local church scholarships are available.

Option 2

Eight courses taught over a three-or-four-year timeframe.

Unlimited registration.
Multi-church participation.
Fee shared among churches based on percentage of registrations from each church.
Promotional assistance (see Option 1).
Local church scholarships are available.

Cohort Option

(Add-on feature to either option.)

Few things could be more valuable to a pastor or local church than a core of staff and/or attenders who are grounded in their Christian faith, confident in serving, and regularly growing.

As an added dimension to the Equip program, we invite local leaders to identify staff and congregational leaders who would benefit from going through the entire 8-course Equip program as a cohort. This journey of studying in community would provide the distinct opportunity of learning and growing with fellow believers.

This cohort would also receive additional access and coaching with their Equip teachers. Pastors would receive a playbook to use in facilitating discussion with their cohort attenders after each class. Further, there would be the opporutunity to be part of a yearly retreat for cohort graduates featuring additional training, coaching, and fellowship.

The cohort feature is available at no additional cost, with the exception of a modest cost for the retreat.