“These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them” Mt 10:5.
THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION AND EVANGELISM BY EXTENSION
(TEEE)
Church reproduction can be enhanced by a programme of continual training of pastoral leaders. The pattern of a TEEE programme is found in Deuteronomy 18, Matthew 10, Mark 6, Luke 9 and 10, Acts 10, Colossians 4 and 2 Timothy 2:2.
Where churches reproduce spontaneously, existing Bible schools cannot provide enough leaders. A TEEE programme is a kind of apprenticeship that provides mentored training to novice church planters and leaders of new cells and congregations. Students remain self-supported and learn on-the-job. Top
A TEEE programme will normally have a distinct name and be recognised as an approved training programme. It should not have the same name as another programme, unless the two are officially related. Top
A TEEE programme is normally owned by a congregation or mission that has chosen to implement it. Such a programme normally operates aside from formal educational institutions and trains those who remain in their homes, jobs and churches. A church or mission does not have to ask permission to launch a TEEE programme. Top
Like Jesus and his apostles, a TEEE programme seeks continually to bring more folks to faith in Jesus Christ by continually making disciples in new churches. Such a programme recognises that evangelism and theological education go hand-in-hand, for most new churches are formed from new believers and are led by apprentice shepherds. Top
Trainers and apprentice shepherds learn all the doctrines of the Christian faith, master the stories and themes of the Bible, and acquire pastoral skills by working on-the-job leading new congregations and cells. Theological studies remain integrated with loving obedience to Jesus and with lovingly leading others. Top
A TEEE programme seeks to keep churches and cells reproducing by extending training through current students to new students. New students are enrolled as soon as they start to lead congregations, cells or families. Normally there will be at least four levels of trainers and students, like links in a chain. Top
The director of a TEEE programme is usually a regional church-planting coordinator who seeks to ensure that local pastors and lay missionaries receive training that enables them to train others in turn, and to supply them with suitable materials. Such coordinators are usually not voted into their office but are recognized as such by their passion for church planting and by their diligence in training others. Top
Trainers in a TEEE programme are normally missionaries and pastors who train a few others by personally mentoring them and coaching them on-the-job. Such trainers usually remain self-supported or they are salaried by their mission or congregation. The programme does not salary trainers. One becomes a trainer by starting to train others or is ready to do so while being trained. Trainers are usually recognized as such publicly by a programme director. Top
Students in a TEEE programme are normally apprentice pastors and church planters who support themselves while winning new believers, starting and leading new churches, and training new leaders. These are being mentored by more experienced leaders and may begin training others in the same manner. Top
Mentors seek to meet the needs of their students’ cells and congregations by listening to their students’ reports. Trainers plan with their students what the students will do immediately, and trainers choose studies that will help their students implement their plans. They also practice together new skills and pray together for their students congregations and those whom they train, in turn. Top
A TEEE programme keeps costs down, so that any self-supported church planter or pastor can afford to study. Fees are kept low enough that anyone can afford them. Trainers remain self-supported or are paid by their congregation or mission. Materials are kept inexpensive and are made available at cost or at a subsidized price. Thus, the programme requires little or no outside funding. Top
The training materials used by a TEEE programme should be written in easy language for non-professional planters and leaders of new congregations. Materials are normally keyed to a menu that enables trainers to find lessons that match the pressing needs of new congregations and cells. These materials can include parts of existing books that are available to students.
Materials already adapted to such a menu include these:
From Project WorldReach www.TrainAndMultiply.com obtain in many languages by license the well-tested Train and Multiply® programme.
From www.Paul-Timothy.net obtain the following:
Paul-Timothy which matches pastoral studies with lessons for children.
Sheherd’s Storybook intended for those who prefer to learn through oral means.
JUMP Menu for the highly-educatedTop
It is a privilege to be enrolled in a TEEE programme, and its materials are used only within the programme. A trainer can enroll as students those who lead new congregations or cells or are ready to start doing so. Normally, a small enrolment fee is charged. One should not enrol all the members of a cell or church. Top
A TEEE programme normally does not have a campus nor does it happen in a classroom. Rather, trainers and their students meet at arranged localities convenient to both. Top
A TEEE programme certifies studies completed. The director determines with studies qualify a student for a certificate. Top
A student enrolled in a TEEE programme will normally be mentored by a trainer between nine and twelve months. Thereafter, students and trainers can meet as needed my appointment. All pastoral leaders, students and graduates, should attend periodic seminars and conferences. Top
TEEE programmes are not normally accredited in the same way as bible schools and seminaries, for TEEE students are trained to plant and lead churches rather that to master subject matter. Nevertheless, TEEE students usually become competent missionaries, pastors and bible teachers. Top