Training Environments
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He selected a few men that would be the future leaders of the Christian church to train for the next three years. These men would be taken from among the disciples who were following Jesus at the time. “And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles.” (Lk. 6:13, NASB) “And He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out [without Him] to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons.” (Mk. 3:14-15)
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These verses reveal not only a list of twelve names, but also a plan for three environments that He would use to develop them. These three environments serve as the biblical basis for IGSL’s three educational environments:
Teacher-Learner Environment
Jesus established a teacher-learner relationship between Him and the twelve when he called them apostles. An apostle is “one who fulfills the role of being a special messenger… active in proclaiming the message of the gospel (Louw-Nida). The twelve were chosen to be trained for a special purpose of reaching the world with the truth of Christ.
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The Leadership Programs (LP) Strategic Team establishes a teacher-learner environment with a clear purpose of developing leaders. A commitment to work and sacrifice is made by both the teacher and the learner. Without such commitment, little learning may occur.
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Relational Environment
Within the “educational” environment as a teacher-learner, Jesus established a relational environment of being “with Him” that removed barriers between the teacher and the student. As a result, the twelve disciples were deeply mentored by Jesus. They could hear and see what Jesus said and did both publicly and privately. And just as important, Jesus could hear what they said and see what they did in public and private.
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The Life Mentoring (LM) Strategic Team seeks to create a community that removes barriers and connects faculty, students, employees, and student families together. Iron 7 Sharpening Groups (ISG) provide one of the key components of the environment. Deeper discipleship and greater growth occurs when open and honest relationships are forged.
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Ministry Environment
Jesus included a third environment that would prepare His disciples to become leaders equipped to reach the world. Leadership could not be forged in just classrooms and intimate groups. Jesus carefully planned real-life ministry experiences that pushed the disciples beyond their comfort zone.
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The Leader Impact (LI) Strategic Team designs real-life ministry opportunities for students. These “sending out” activities allow students to develop beyond the classroom and community environments of LP and LM.