Intentional Character Development Program
At Talbot School of Theology, we believe the long-term fruit of a ministry is related to the leader's spiritual formation. That's why we created the Intentional Character Development (ICD) program and added it to our seminary curriculum. With the ICD program, you will develop habits of the heart as you participate in a combination of classroom, small group and mentoring experiences that enable you to grow in character and understand the different stages God takes leaders in their spiritual development. The ICD program will also challenge you to formulate a life and ministry purpose statement and discover how your character, emotions and spiritual maturity affect your relationships. At Talbot School of Theology, we want to help you develop sustainable spiritual disciplines so you can build a foundation for a lifetime of ministry.
Growth in Christ-likeness and love occurs in the context of relationships with other believers. For this reason, Talbot School of Theology strongly encourages a personal relationship network for mentoring, accountability, and discipleship. Talbot has also developed the following components to ensure that intimacy with Christ and meaningful engagement with the Body of Christ is at the heart of your journey through seminary:
Courses
As a part of the Intentional Character Development Program, Talbot School of Theology offers classes that integrate a theology of sanctification and spirituality with an awareness of one's sin, pain and unresolved issues. The Personal Foundations of Ministry class is required in your first semester at Talbot. It establishes the foundation for personal openness to the transforming work of the Spirit during your seminary experience.
Spiritual Mentoring
Spiritual mentoring is a relationship between the student, a mentor and the Holy Spirit, where the student can discover a model for character formation and deeper intimacy with God.
Talbot Mentors
Each student will select a mentor from their local church or area who will support, encourage and meet with them monthly throughout their seminary experience. Having an established pattern of support is an effective safeguard during times of pain and struggle or transition in ministry.
Spiritual Mentoring Group
Each student is required to participate in a semester-long mentoring group. This is an opportunity to build more intimate relationships with God, other seminary students, and a spiritual mentor and to experience God's present action in their life.
Spiritual Retreats
Each semester, all seminary students will be encouraged to participate in a spiritual retreat to nurture and cultivate their inner lives with God. The consistent times spent on retreat will begin to develop habits of openness, solitude, and intimacy with God.
Marital Retreats
Marital retreats will be offered each semester for seminary students and their spouses to continue building intimacy with each other and God. This is an opportunity to establish the habits of refreshment, reflection, and renewal that are necessary to maintain a strong marriage during the trials of graduate school and a lifetime of ministry.
Baccalaureate Celebration
This will be a dinner celebration and thanksgiving service for the transforming work of the Spirit accomplished in your life during your time at Talbot School of Theology. This banquet, attended by spouses, family members, mentoring couples, mentors, and faculty, will focus on accomplishment, thanksgiving, commissioning into ministry and acknowledgement of the people who encouraged and supported you throughout your seminary experience.
Progress Reviews
Talbot School of Theology's desire is to graduate men and women who are well suited for church leadership and prepared for a lifetime of effective ministry. As we desire that you grow in grace and truth, in the love of Christ, and in the character of a biblical leader as recorded in I Timothy 3, we ask that each student engage in a process of reflection and evaluation. After the completion of 30 units and before more units may be taken, we require that each student complete their Progress Review. The Progress Review will be different for each student, but will provide an opportunity to celebrate progress, to discuss struggles, and if necessary, to focus on appropriate course corrections. This review will cover theological, spiritual, academic, emotional, and practical concerns. For most students, this review will result in a celebration of their progress and growth. For some students, this review will include a referral to the "Focused Needs Program," to provide assistance, encouragement and accountability. For a few students, this review will result in dismissal. More information may be found in the Student Handbook.