Formation Takes Time.
Scroll
THE THREE-YEAR JOURNEY
ROOTED. EQUIPPED. SENT.
Formation Institute follows a progressive three-year pathway designed to develop the whole person. The journey begins with identity and spiritual foundation, moves into deeper biblical and practical equipping, and culminates in mature leadership, ministry practice, and multiplication. Each year carries its own focus, credential, curriculum, and ministry outcomes — while remaining part of one continuous process of becoming a Christ-shaped leader.
YEAR ONE
01
IDENTITY IN CHRIST
CERTIFIED LEVEL · 30 QUARTER CREDITS
Before someone learns how to lead others, they need to know who they are becoming. Year One establishes the foundation of Formation Institute.
Students begin with Scripture, biblical interpretation, spiritual formation, discipleship, and practical ministry experience. The emphasis is not simply on acquiring biblical knowledge, but on developing a life rooted in Jesus and learning to faithfully participate in the life of His Church.
THE FOUNDATION
COMPOSITION I · HERMENEUTICS · OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY · NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY · SPIRITUAL FORMATION · MINISTRY PRACTICUM I
YEAR ONE OUTCOME
Students finish Year One with a stronger biblical foundation, deeper spiritual rhythms, and practical experience serving within the Church. The Certified Level is designed to prepare students for faithful lay leadership and meaningful ministry participation.
SMALL GROUP LEADERS · LAY LEADERS · MINISTRY VOLUNTEERS
BEFORE MINISTRY BECOMES WHAT YOU DO, FORMATION BEGINS WITH WHO YOU ARE.
YEAR TWO
02
EQUIPPING THE SAINTS
LICENSED LEVEL · 30 QUARTER CREDITS
Year Two moves from foundation into equipping. Students deepen their understanding of theology, the Church, leadership, discipleship, evangelism, communication, and practical ministry.
Students increasingly identify how God has gifted them, how those gifts serve the Body of Christ, and what faithful ministry leadership requires. Formation becomes more outward-facing: What have I been given? Who am I called to serve? How do I help equip others?
THE EQUIPPING
COMPOSITION II · PUBLIC SPEAKING · THEOLOGY I · ACTS & CHURCH HISTORY · LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT · DISCIPLESHIP & EVANGELISM · MINISTRY PRACTICUM II
YEAR TWO OUTCOME
Students finish Year Two prepared for increased ministry responsibility and leadership. The Licensed Level develops theological understanding alongside communication, discipleship, evangelism, leadership, and continued ministry experience.
LICENSED MINISTERS · ASSOCIATE PASTORS · YOUTH PASTORS · WORSHIP LEADERS
FORMATION MOVES FROM KNOWING WHO YOU ARE TO LEARNING HOW TO SERVE.
YEAR THREE
03
MATURITY & MULTIPLICATION
ORDAINED LEVEL · 30 QUARTER CREDITS
Year Three moves toward mature ministry leadership and multiplication. Students integrate theology, leadership, ministry administration, human development, mission, and practical experience as they prepare to lead, disciple, equip, and multiply others.
The question is no longer simply, Can I serve? It becomes: Can I help form and equip others to faithfully serve Jesus and His Church?
THE MULTIPLICATION
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY · HUMAN DEVELOPMENT · QUANTITATIVE REASONING FOR MINISTRY · HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY · THEOLOGY II · ROMANS · CHURCH ADMINISTRATION · LEADERSHIP MULTIPLICATION · MINISTRY PRACTICUM III
YEAR THREE OUTCOME
Students finish Year Three prepared for mature ministry leadership, greater responsibility within the Church, mission, disciple-making, and ordination preparation. The goal is to produce leaders who multiply healthy disciples and help equip the Church.
ORDINATION PREPARATION · CHURCH LEADERSHIP · MISSIONS LEADERSHIP · DISCIPLE MULTIPLICATION
THE PROGRESSION
ONE JOURNEY. THREE FORMATION MOVEMENTS.
IDENTITY
Who am I in Christ?
Rooted in Jesus. Grounded in Scripture. Formed in character.
EQUIPPING
How has God prepared me to serve?
Growing in theology. Discovering gifting. Developing ministry skill.
MULTIPLICATION
How do I help form others?
Leading faithfully. Equipping the Church. Making disciples who make disciples.
IDENTITY → EQUIPPING → MATURITY → MULTIPLICATION
PRACTICE THROUGHOUT
MINISTRY IS NOT SAVED FOR YEAR THREE.
Practical ministry is embedded throughout the entire Formation journey. Each year includes ministry practicum so that students continually move between learning and application. Students observe, serve, lead, reflect, receive feedback, and increasingly take responsibility as their formation progresses. The expectation is simple: Truth should eventually become practice.
THE COMPLETION
THREE YEARS. ONE INTEGRATED FORMATION.
CERTIFIED LEVEL · LICENSED LEVEL · ORDAINED LEVEL
Together, the three-year pathway totals 90 quarter credits and leads toward completion of the Associate of Arts in Ministry Leadership. But the structure exists to serve something larger than the credential. The intended outcome is a Christ-shaped leader able to interpret Scripture faithfully, demonstrate spiritual maturity, communicate biblical truth, integrate theology and practice, disciple and equip others, participate in God’s mission, and serve the Church effectively.
A LIFETIME OF DISCIPLE-MAKING BEGINS WITH A LIFE BEING FORMED.
EXPLORE FIVE-FOLD FORMATION →