To All The World
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6 Weekly Sessions
Wednesdays, May 20th to June 24th, 2026
3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. ET
2:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. CT
12:00 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. PT
$299
Many churches affirm the biblical offices of elder and deacon but struggle to see them function with clarity and joy. Elders may feel stretched thin, uncertain where their responsibility ends, or burdened with tasks that distract from shepherding. Deacons may feel underutilized, reduced to task managers, or unclear about how their service fits into the church’s spiritual wellbeing.
This cohort is designed to help elders and deacons recover the biblical purpose and partnership of these two offices. Over six 90-minute sessions, we will explore what Scripture teaches about elders and deacons, how their distinct callings serve the same gospel mission, and how healthy churches cultivate trust and collaboration among those who serve in these roles. Each session will combine biblical teaching, pastoral wisdom, and practical guidance aimed at strengthening church leadership structures and fostering long-term church health.
Those who sign up for this cohort will receive free copies of:
Are you on a church staff or considering this cohort as a group at a church? If so, check out this brief PDF with three ideas of how to use this cohort as a group. It also has instructions for deep discounts, provided through the support of generous donors. We hope these online learning cohorts will bless the church.
As a result, we never want finances to hinder someone from participating. If you want to participate in this cohort and have a need, please send us an email ([email protected]) and tell us more about your circumstances.
* We are unable to offer refunds for any cohorts
* Registration WITH books closes on May 13 and LATE Registration WITHOUT books closes on May 19.
* All sessions will be recorded and available for streaming or download at your leisure in perpetuity and so if you can’t make it live or even for months the material is still readily available for you
* NOTE: we are unable to ship to those outside the USA but please use the coupon code “BOOKS15” for 15% off as our courtesy to international participants. You may also use coupon code “BOOKS15” if you DO NOT WANT the books for the cohort.
* If you have any questions pertaining to signing up for your cohort, group rates, elder/preaching team rates, or church rates email [email protected].
An introduction to the biblical rationale for these church offices. This session explores why Scripture insists on qualified leaders, how elders and deacons function as gifts to the church, and what is lost when these roles are blurred, minimized, or misunderstood.
A close look at the biblical qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. This session explores why Scripture prioritizes character over competence, how these qualifications function as a profile of mature Christianity, and how churches can cultivate and guard the character of those who serve as elders and deacons—while also considering how God works through weakness in leadership.
Q&A with Matt Smethurst and Dave Harvey
A focused look at the Bible’s job description for elders, including shepherding, oversight, teaching, and prayer. This session addresses common misconceptions, practical challenges elders face, and how faithful elder leadership promotes the spiritual health of the church.
A focused look at the Bible’s job description for deacons. This session clarifies what deacons are—and are not—called to do, highlighting their role in meeting tangible needs, protecting unity, and supporting the ministry of the elders for the good of the congregation.
A practical session on how elders and deacons work together in healthy churches. Topics include trust, delegation, communication, and the shared responsibility of guarding the church’s unity and advancing its mission.
Q&A with Ligon Duncan
A concluding session that brings the threads together. This session focuses on sustaining healthy elder and deacon teams over time and cultivating a leadership culture marked by clarity and joy.
Q&A with Mark Vroegop
Many churches affirm the biblical offices of elder and deacon but struggle to see them function with clarity and joy. Elders may feel stretched thin, uncertain where their responsibility ends, or burdened with tasks that distract from shepherding. Deacons may feel underutilized, reduced to task managers, or unclear about how their service fits into the church’s spiritual wellbeing.
This cohort is designed to help elders and deacons recover the biblical purpose and partnership of these two offices. Over six 90-minute sessions, we will explore what Scripture teaches about elders and deacons, how their distinct callings serve the same gospel mission, and how healthy churches cultivate trust and collaboration among those who serve in these roles. Each session will combine biblical teaching, pastoral wisdom, and practical guidance aimed at strengthening church leadership structures and fostering long-term church health.
Those who sign up for this cohort will receive free copies of:
Are you on a church staff or considering this cohort as a group at a church? If so, check out this brief PDF with three ideas of how to use this cohort as a group. It also has instructions for deep discounts, provided through the support of generous donors. We hope these online learning cohorts will bless the church.
As a result, we never want finances to hinder someone from participating. If you want to participate in this cohort and have a need, please send us an email ([email protected]) and tell us more about your circumstances.
* We are unable to offer refunds for any cohorts
* Registration WITH books closes on May 13 and LATE Registration WITHOUT books closes on May 19.
* All sessions will be recorded and available for streaming or download at your leisure in perpetuity and so if you can’t make it live or even for months the material is still readily available for you
* NOTE: we are unable to ship to those outside the USA but please use the coupon code “BOOKS15” for 15% off as our courtesy to international participants. You may also use coupon code “BOOKS15” if you DO NOT WANT the books for the cohort.
* If you have any questions pertaining to signing up for your cohort, group rates, elder/preaching team rates, or church rates email [email protected].
An introduction to the biblical rationale for these church offices. This session explores why Scripture insists on qualified leaders, how elders and deacons function as gifts to the church, and what is lost when these roles are blurred, minimized, or misunderstood.
A close look at the biblical qualifications in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1. This session explores why Scripture prioritizes character over competence, how these qualifications function as a profile of mature Christianity, and how churches can cultivate and guard the character of those who serve as elders and deacons—while also considering how God works through weakness in leadership.
Q&A with Matt Smethurst and Dave Harvey
A focused look at the Bible’s job description for elders, including shepherding, oversight, teaching, and prayer. This session addresses common misconceptions, practical challenges elders face, and how faithful elder leadership promotes the spiritual health of the church.
A focused look at the Bible’s job description for deacons. This session clarifies what deacons are—and are not—called to do, highlighting their role in meeting tangible needs, protecting unity, and supporting the ministry of the elders for the good of the congregation.
A practical session on how elders and deacons work together in healthy churches. Topics include trust, delegation, communication, and the shared responsibility of guarding the church’s unity and advancing its mission.
Q&A with Ligon Duncan
A concluding session that brings the threads together. This session focuses on sustaining healthy elder and deacon teams over time and cultivating a leadership culture marked by clarity and joy.
Q&A with Mark Vroegop
6 Weekly Sessions
Wednesdays, May 20th to June 24th, 2026
3:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. ET
2:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. CT
12:00 P.M. to 1:30 P.M. PT
$299