2024 Consistory Reading Plan

Based on With a Shepherd’s Heart by John Sittema

February

• pp. 1-21

March

• pp. 22-38 (“Give Yourself an EKG”)

• We’ll do Group Seminar #1 (pp. 39-40) in Consistory

April

• pp. 49-78 (Part 2: Section 1)

• We’ll do Group Seminar #2 (pp. 41-43) in Consistory

May

• pp. 79-126 (Part 2: Section 2)

• We’ll do Case Study #1 (p.245) in Consistory & Case Study #2 (p.246) in Council

June

• pp. 127-150 (Part 2: Section 3)

• We’ll do Case Study #3 (p.247) in Consistory & Case Study #4 (p.248) in Council

July

• pp. 151-174 (Part 3: Section 1)

• We’ll do Case Study #5 (p.249) in Consistory & Case Study #6 (p.250) in Council

August

• pp. 175-208 (Part 3: Section 2)

• We’ll do Case Study #7 (p.251) in Consistory & Case Study #8 (p.252) in Council

September

• pp. 209-216 (Church Membership)

• We’ll do Case Study #9 (p.253) in Consistory & Case Study #10 (p.254) in Council

October

• pp. 217-231 (Discipline)

• We’ll do Case Study #11 (p.255) in Consistory & Case Study #12 (p.256) in Council

November

• pp. 232-242 (The Elder’s Meeting)

• We’ll do Case Study #13 (p.257) in Consistory & Case Study #14 (p.259) in Council

December

• We’ll do Case Study #15 (p.260) in Consistory & Case Study #16 (p.261) in Council

Extra Credit: pp. 262-271

2024 Deacon Reading Plan

2023 Officer Training Schedule

Based on the book Faithful & Fruitful

Materials & Methodology

This year, we’ll do a series of monthly readings drawn from a book co-written by numerous URC pastors, called Faithful and Fruitful (hard copies provided). Officers are expected to complete assignments in time to edify one another through brief discussion.

Most chapters will be discussed at council. But sections that apply exclusively to deacons or elders will be handled at their respective meetings, allowing standard devotions to continue as well. Most readings take less than 25 minutes to complete. I recommend doing so on the Sunday before meeting.

January

• (Council) Chapter 1, “Training Church Officers”

February

• (Consistory) Chapter 8, “Classical Christian Catechesis”

• (Deacons) Chapter 9, “Managing the Offerings of God’s People”

March

• (Council) Chapter 2, “Practicing the Mission of the Church”

April

• (Council) Chapter 4, “Continuing in prayer”

May

• (Consistory) Chapter 18, “What Every Elder Needs to Know About Congregational Singing”

• (Deacons) Chapter 10, “Getting Acquainted with Congregational Needs”

June

• (Council) Chapter 3, “Positive Leadership”

July

• (Consistory) Chapter 16, “Navigating the Broader Assemblies”

• (Deacons) Chapter 12, “Tending the Shepherd: Honorable Provision”

August

• (Council) Chapter 7, “The Office Bearer and Household Management”

September

• (Council) Chapter 6, “Ministering to the Sick and the Dying”

October

• (Consistory) Chapters 19 & 20, “Encouraging Lay Witnessing” / “Promoting Lay Missions”

• (Deacons) Chapter 13, “Tending the Shepherd: Sabbaths & Sabbaticals”

November

• (Council) Chapter 11 & 13, “Avoiding Officer Burnout” / “Sabbaths & Sabbaticals”

December

• (Council) Chapter 5, “Elders & Deacons as Hospitality Leaders”

• (Consistory) Chapter 14, “How to Evaluate Your Pastor”