



Everywhere Jesus went, He offered good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, and He changed the story for all of them.
What if you could step outside the walls of your church, energize alliances–with local government, community-based organizations, businesses, and others–and change the narrative of your neighborhood?
Rooted in the significance of Luke 4:16-21, the Chapter 4 Institute is an immersive, cohort-based leadership experience that creates passion for spiritual and social renewal in communities. Through experience-based learning, the Chapter 4 Institute challenges leaders to reimagine how the church might earn its place as an essential player in solving community issues.


What does a Chapter 4 Fellow do?

Work with national leaders who are shaping and implementing, best practices for community engagement success.

Build a network of peers who support and challenge one another in the pursuit of broad change and effective delivery of the gospel in the neighborhood.

Apply grounded and innovative strategies to meet existing challenges in their home communities.

Be recognized and included in a nation-wide report on the results of the Church of God’s bold experiment taking place in the West to reimagine how the church is viewed as relevant to culture.




The Year-long fellowship includes:

Five Two-Day Modules facilitated by thought leaders and community organizers from across the US and Europe, sharing proven strategies for effective change implementation. Includes extensive hands-on time working in small groups with peers and mentors, and an experiential learning opportunity to journey in the way of Jesus.

A Project that offers participants a structured process—with feedback from peers and mentors—for crafting and extending their own distinct ministry perspective on community engagement, culminating in a presentation to peers and mentors at the one-year mark of the program. Includes a rigorous analysis of data and testing of the community/church experience, the development and refinement of a vision for home community engagement, and the advancement of the Fellow’s ability to engage and build urgency around a vision for collective impact.

Mentorship by exceptional current or former ministry and community leaders who engage participants in a dynamic exchange of ideas and help them draw connections across the modules, projects, and their own ministry experiences. Includes formal and informal support and guidance throughout the year, including a series of interactive webinars.

A Trip to Europe, traveling to both Ireland and Amsterdam, will constitute Module 2, and will provide the environment for both spiritual renewal and reflection while also offering exposure to post-Christian culture. Fellows will reflect on their own spiritual journey with Jesus as they learn from European church and community leaders on the ground about the challenges of communicating our faith in the context of today’s culture.






Chapter 4 is right for you if you:

Believe the Body of Christ is the key to greater community health and vitality

Love your community and desire to partner with others to improve the lives of those in your neighborhood

Want to be bold in taking risks that lead to transformational change

Think strategically and pursue innovation

Are a pastor/leader whose state is involved in the Pacific Coast Collective





We invite applicants from all groups representative of varying race and ethnicity, gender, and physical abilities. We also encourage applicants from a variety of ministry backgrounds, including:

Pastors and church staff members

Church boards

Lay leaders not on a church staff who demonstrate deep commitment and leadership within the church family



Fellowship Information
2020 Program Dates
April 21-22
May 17-26 (Europe)
July 8-10
May 17-26 (Europe)
July 8-10
Sept 9-10
March 2021
March 2021
APRIL 21-22
MAY 17-26 (Europe)
July 8-10
SEPT 9-10
MARCH 2021
MAY 17-26 (Europe)
July 8-10
SEPT 9-10
MARCH 2021
FELLOWSHIP FEES
$1000 + the cost of the Europe Trip, which includes onsite meals during each seminar. Participants will be responsible for paying for and arranging your own travel to and from modules. Need-based financial aid is available to offset the participant’s fees and travel costs. Payment plans are available. Applications for financial aid are available after selection into the program.

Application Deadline: January 25, 2020


We are offering a variety of training courses to help assist and equip people for ministry.
Each course lasts from 4-6 weeks.
Each course lasts from 4-6 weeks.
Fall 2019 Session
Click the link below to learn more about the courses offered this fall and to register:
We are offering a variety of training cells to help assist and equip people for ministry.
Each cell lasts from 4-6 weeks.
Each cell lasts from 4-6 weeks.
Session 3
Fall 2019
Registration begins in August
A pre-session webinar will be held prior to the first cell meeting. Cell participants and coaches will establish the cell meeting times.
Registration begins in August
A pre-session webinar will be held prior to the first cell meeting. Cell participants and coaches will establish the cell meeting times.
Have you tried new ways and processes but keep bumping into the same results? Have you noticed that there are some key leadership skills that keep tripping you up? Have you wondered why someone else seems able to get the results from a team or from people that don’t work for you? Understanding your personality profile and how God hard wired you will open new windows of understanding and help raise the lids limiting your leadership.
Have you tried the church growth courses and books and found out they don’t work for you? Have you wondered why visitors don’t return or stay? Would you be willing to authentically examine where you church is at and what competencies might help to get it growing and going again? This study is for you! We will look at church lifecycles, change management, conflict resolution and team building.
Would you like to understand more about the theological traditions that have shaped what we believe in the Church of God? Do you know why we support women in ministry? Have you ever tried to explain what we believe about the gifts of the Holy Spirit? This study will walk through the various doctrines that our forefathers held to and taught.
How do you help new people in your congregation or new to Christ put down strong roots and gain clear understanding of how to grow in their relationship with the church and with Christ? Would you like to discover some effective ways to equip your congregation with spiritual growth tools? Join us as we explore several effective tools for helping all people know more about their faith and grow in their walk with Christ.
Would you like to get involved in coaching others as they journey through the ordination process or perhaps you would be willing to coach a pastor wanting to go to the next level? Maybe you have a passion and knowledge or experience for coaching in the area of theology or ministerial competencies. This study is designed to equip you with best coaching practices and tools and connect you with the growing coaching opportunities in the Church of God. ** Please note: you must take Module 1 prior to taking this module.
Are you new to the Church of God? Have you been attending a Church of God congregation for a long time, but you would like to know about the history and heritage of the movement? Have you wondered where some of our quirkiness comes from or why we do somethings certain ways? Would you like to understand how local churches, state ministries and national offices all work together for global impact? This study will be a fun, interesting and informative journey of where we have come from, what influenced us, where we are now and the vision of where we are headed.
Have you tried passing out water bottles with the church name on, wearing t-shirts with your logo on it while you work in your community? Have you tried the outreach programs and not seen them bring anyone to the church? Are you willing to really explore what your church has to offer your community to connect them to the love of God? This study is designed to help each congregation find their own specific DNA and understand the dynamics of the community around you. The outcome of this study will be for your leaders to create a specific strategy of outreach and apply for grant money from Church of God Ministries to implement that strategy. Highly Recommended the pastor and at least 3 to 4 leaders from that church should attend this module together. Group fees can be arranged.
Do you have Muslim neighbors or Hindu co-workers? Most people in America today find they live next door to people of other faith groups or no faith at all. Do you know how to share Christ with your Muslim or Jewish neighbors or do you think religion is a personal matter and shouldn’t be discussed? Would you like to know how to have a conversation about spiritual matters with people who have a different faith than you do? This study will help us to understand the major religions of the world and how they differ from Christianity and how we can share our faith in effective and meaningful ways.
Have you often wondered how to grow stronger spiritually? Do you struggle to read the scripture and have it be meaningful to you? Would you like to know more about spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, silence, reflection? This study is meant to help each person explore how they can grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ and find that growth empowering.
Have you noticed that good ideas in your church get lost? Have you showed up for a meeting at the church only to find out someone else is already occupying the same space you planned to use? Have you ever wondered what you’re supposed to do with all those registration cards from your outreach last fall? Do people leave your church and nobody notices for 3 weeks? How do you follow up with visitors to ensure the greatest possibility for a second visit? This study will help you to evaluate the “systems and process” that will help empower and protect the various ministries and administrative issues of your church.
This cell will help you to dig deeper and learn more about church budgeting; pastor/staff compensation planning; personal financial planning; and retirement planning. Discussions will include strategies, management, compensation factors unique to ministers, taxes, insurance, and proactive savings and investments for the future.
Session 4
Fall 2019
Registration begins in August
A pre-session webinar will be held prior to the first cell meeting. Cell participants and coaches will establish the cell meeting times.
Registration begins in August
A pre-session webinar will be held prior to the first cell meeting. Cell participants and coaches will establish the cell meeting times.
Have you tried new ways and processes but keep bumping into the same results? Have you noticed that there are some key leadership skills that keep tripping you up? Have you wondered why someone else seems able to get the results from a team or from people that don’t work for you? Understanding your personality profile and how God hard wired you will open new windows of understanding and help raise the lids limiting your leadership.
Have you tried the church growth courses and books and found out they don’t work for you? Have you wondered why visitors don’t return or stay? Would you be willing to authentically examine where you church is at and what competencies might help to get it growing and going again? This study is for you! We will look at church lifecycles, change management, conflict resolution and team building.
Would you like to understand more about the theological traditions that have shaped what we believe in the Church of God? Do you know why we support women in ministry? Have you ever tried to explain what we believe about the gifts of the Holy Spirit? This study will walk through the various doctrines that our forefathers held to and taught.
How do you help new people in your congregation or new to Christ put down strong roots and gain clear understanding of how to grow in their relationship with the church and with Christ? Would you like to discover some effective ways to equip your congregation with spiritual growth tools? Join us as we explore several effective tools for helping all people know more about their faith and grow in their walk with Christ.
Would you like to get involved in coaching others as they journey through the ordination process or perhaps you would be willing to coach a pastor wanting to go to the next level? Maybe you have a passion and knowledge or experience for coaching in the area of theology or ministerial competencies. This study is designed to equip you with best coaching practices and tools and connect you with the growing coaching opportunities in the Church of God. ** Please note: you must take Module 1 prior to taking this module.
Are you new to the Church of God? Have you been attending a Church of God congregation for a long time, but you would like to know about the history and heritage of the movement? Have you wondered where some of our quirkiness comes from or why we do somethings certain ways? Would you like to understand how local churches, state ministries and national offices all work together for global impact? This study will be a fun, interesting and informative journey of where we have come from, what influenced us, where we are now and the vision of where we are headed.
Have you tried passing out water bottles with the church name on, wearing t-shirts with your logo on it while you work in your community? Have you tried the outreach programs and not seen them bring anyone to the church? Are you willing to really explore what your church has to offer your community to connect them to the love of God? This study is designed to help each congregation find their own specific DNA and understand the dynamics of the community around you. The outcome of this study will be for your leaders to create a specific strategy of outreach and apply for grant money from Church of God Ministries to implement that strategy. Highly Recommended the pastor and at least 3 to 4 leaders from that church should attend this module together. Group fees can be arranged.
Do you have Muslim neighbors or Hindu co-workers? Most people in America today find they live next door to people of other faith groups or no faith at all. Do you know how to share Christ with your Muslim or Jewish neighbors or do you think religion is a personal matter and shouldn’t be discussed? Would you like to know how to have a conversation about spiritual matters with people who have a different faith than you do? This study will help us to understand the major religions of the world and how they differ from Christianity and how we can share our faith in effective and meaningful ways.
Have you often wondered how to grow stronger spiritually? Do you struggle to read the scripture and have it be meaningful to you? Would you like to know more about spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, silence, reflection? This study is meant to help each person explore how they can grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ and find that growth empowering.
Have you noticed that good ideas in your church get lost? Have you showed up for a meeting at the church only to find out someone else is already occupying the same space you planned to use? Have you ever wondered what you’re supposed to do with all those registration cards from your outreach last fall? Do people leave your church and nobody notices for 3 weeks? How do you follow up with visitors to ensure the greatest possibility for a second visit? This study will help you to evaluate the “systems and process” that will help empower and protect the various ministries and administrative issues of your church.
Equipping, encouraging, and empowering women in ministry along with female lay leaders of all ages, races, and cultures.
Learning how to revitalize your local and state Christian Women Connection group and how to be an effective leader. (Local & State President/Coordinator Training)
If you are a current partner or a local or state CWC coordinator, you could receive a discounted rate! To learn more, call 866-778-0804.
How to discover your authentic voice while loving and serving God and others.
Gaining a perspective on four critical elements of cross-cultural ministry: biblical foundations, the global church context, cultural competency, and personal development. Each topic will be taught in one lesson and will give an overview of the concept for future learning. This is a great course for anyone traveling for ministry!