One-Year Learning Cohorts

A: The cohort will meet 3 times virtually (late Fall, January, and early Summer) and once in-person for a Sunday/Monday retreat. Members are asked to prioritize these meetings, especially the in-person retreat.

A: Reading assignments. are given ahead of each gathering. Each assignment will likely involve multiple chapters and/or articles from the selected resource material. The retreat assignment will be a full-length book or equivalent by the retreat speaker.

A: The purpose of these cohorts is to provide theological undergirding and thoughtful context for issues relevant to your current ministry context. Examples of relevance include a current need for further discipleship, vision, funding, or ministry development in your local church, the relevance or challenges of this topic in your community context, or a need for better educating your leaders on the topic. It is helpful to include a specific story or circumstance that connects your church or ministry to the topic.

A: The primary costs are the $99 enrollment fee (per individual, paid to CPT) and the cost of your travel or airfare to the retreat (purchased on your own). You may also incur incidental expenses during your travel.

CPT will purchase and ship to you all your resource materials. Your lodging and meals during the retreat will also be arranged and paid for by CPT. Special needs regarding diet or accommodations can be discussed upon acceptance and may possibly entail extra expenses.

A: We want these cohorts to be small enough for deep, relational conversations. Cohorts will be roughly between 12-16 individuals (representing 4 -7 churches, as well as the CPT Fellow Host, and a CPT staff member).

We value pairs from the same church joining the cohort together, as it helps continue the conversation throughout the year and after the cohort is finished.

A: Depending on your church size, polity, and the relevance of this topic in your context, the ideal applicants could be the senior/lead pastor, a staff member over this area, a key lay leader, a board member, or somebody else passionate about or influential in relation to the topic.

Regardless of church and staff size, we encourage two leaders from your church to apply together, as we have found it to be a more rewarding experience when you have somebody with whom you have shared experience and ongoing conversation between gatherings.

A: No formal training or experience is required. We would like to hear about any resources you have consulted or experience you have had prior to this cohort for the sake of context, which you will notice on the application form.