For 20 years, the Antioch School of Church Planting and Leadership Development has existed to equip next-generation church leaders and planters. Since its beginning in 2006, individuals from all walks of life have received degrees or certification.
Recently, the Antioch School website was updated to feature a new logo and design layout. The curriculum and competency-based approach to church-based leadership training remains unchanged, however, students now have the opportunity to choose a cohort led by a BILD coach or a local mentor.
“In order to capture the next generation of emerging leaders, we have undergone a visual refresh. The rigor, the focus on developing your mind and heart, the decades of impact, and the global reach remain the same,” said Michael Vos, President and CEO.
In the Antioch School, students learn through the context of their own church, putting theology into practice in real-life situations that occur within the church community. This approach is led by mentors in cohorts of 8-15 students, however, students can also complete courses on their own if needed. Students demonstrate not only what they know, but build their own portfolio of work to demonstrate competency in scripture, theology, and ministry practice.
“We emphasize the development of your heart and mind, becoming competent in the biblical ideas rather than an academic achievement or title,” Vos said. “Paul trained Timothy on the job and urged him to be competent in the core teachings; the Antioch School follows this tradition.”
Steve Kemp, academic dean and senior faculty, said they emphasize the use of Socratic discussion among cohorts of leaders and competency-based assessment of project work that is directly related to the ministry contexts of Antioch School students. Accessibility to BILD coaches opens the doors for students to be engaged with facilitators who are actively engaged in church planting, leadership development, and theological education around the world.
“Rather than starting from the perspective of a particular church tradition, we start with a simple focus on using the New Testament according to its authors’ intentions, namely establishing strong churches for the fulfillment of their apostolic mission,” Steve said.
Sydni Watts is a student from the CityChurch Network in Little Rock, Arkansas. After earning her undergraduate degree from a four-year Baptist university, she was unsure of what she wanted to do but knew she wanted to do something with church planting. She heard about the Antioch School from her local pastors who were enrolled in its doctorate program. They encouraged her to try the Antioch School, so she began pursuing her Master’s of Ministry degree and has benefited greatly from learning alongside her cohort.
“I have loved my experience,” she said. “The Antioch School has impacted my life and ministry in countless ways. It has bolstered my understanding of the church and all ministry.”
Over the course of their studies, whether it's earning a certificate of ministry or a doctorate of theological education, students demonstrate their growing competency. There is constant application and refinement of what they are learning, which is bolstered by discussions in cohorts and feedback from faculty, who bring real-life experience to their coaching.
Having work assessed by faculty has been significant for David Cook, a church leader from the Ames-Des Moines CityChurch network (ADMCC). Over 10 years ago, he stepped into the role of leading a house church and recently received his Master's of Ministry degree in church leadership and church planting.
“One of the things that has impacted me the most about the Antioch School experience is the validation that comes from having someone assess your work, give you feedback, and help oversee your developmental process,” David said.
He is directly applying his degree in the context of helping lead a house church. “I think about what it means to be a mentor to others, and how I will take the assessment process that I learned in the Antioch School, and then use it in the context of ministry, shepherding other people in our house church or cluster, or the larger network,” he said.
As this new generation of leaders is being equipped and prepared for work of the ministry, the Antioch School provides biblical depth and a training experience that is genuinely integrated with real ministry life.
For prospective students, Michael Vos invites them to take the next step to develop into leaders for Christ’s church. “Join with us in this journey, steward your life to its maximum potential, as we have seen so many times and in many places, the Lord will confirm the work of your hands,” he said.
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