Elder Leaders:  Mark Lancaster, Michael Morefield & Ritchey Cable

The Discipleship Team has ownership over three ministry areas within Gashland Evangelical Presbyterian Church to stimulate spiritual growth and development: “Teaching these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you” (Matthew 28:20, NLT). This team provides leadership, perspective, oversight, budget direction, delegation, and serves as an overall sounding-board for those delivering the day-to-day, week-to-week ministry efforts. The three ministry areas include adults, children/youth, and prayer.

Adults

1. Sunday School: The Discipleship Team oversees and evaluates all adult Sunday school teachers and curriculum. The teachers have the responsibility to create, plan, and implement Sunday school classes at GPC. The Discipleship Team assists the teachers through prayer, promotion, and leadership. The Discipleship Team oversees the training and recruiting of all adult Sunday school classes and teachers. The Discipleship Team is committed to offering a variety of classes ranging from topical series to Bible studies.

1. Bible Studies: The Discipleship Team encourages additional Bible study opportunities for adult men and women. The Team oversees and approves all Bible study curriculum for men’s and women’s studies and seeks to train leaders when appropriate. The Team will create and implement a system of annual evaluations to help improve the quality of such programs.

1. Wednesday Night: The Discipleship Team oversees, encourages, and promotes an array of Wednesday evening offerings that are designed for fellowship, growth, and maturity of the members and friends of all ages at Gashland EPC. The Team oversees, supports, and equips leaders for Wednesday night activities. The Team will annually evaluate the effectiveness of these offerings and oversee the development of any new opportunities deemed necessary to further the goal of fellowship, growth, and maturity.

1. New Member/New Believer: The Discipleship Team implements and oversees the education for new members/new believers. The Discipleship Team oversees the training that will meet at least annually (or more often as deemed appropriate). The Discipleship Team oversees and approves curriculum that seeks to disciple new believers. The Discipleship Team will annually evaluate the effectiveness of these offerings.

1. Pre-Marital Counseling: The Discipleship Team encourages and oversees a pre-marital counseling effort as a means to assist those planning marriage to grow and mature in their relationship together under Christ. Oversight regarding curriculum and training for counselors is provided. The Discipleship Team will evaluate the effectiveness of this program annually.

1. Deacon/Elder Training and Instruction: The Discipleship Team oversees a basic training program for all Deacons/Elders to be completed prior to taking office. The Team oversees and evaluates the continuing education of all Deacons and Elders who are currently serving. The training will adhere to the denominational guidelines.

Children/Youth

1. Wednesday Night Classes: The Discipleship Team oversees, encourages, and promotes an array of Wednesday evening offerings that are designed for fellowship, growth, and maturity of the members and friends of all ages at GEPC. The Team oversees, supports, and equips leaders for Wednesday night activities. Semiannually the Team will evaluate effectiveness of these offerings and oversee the development of any new opportunities deemed necessary to further the goal of fellowship, growth, and maturity.

1. Sunday School: The Discipleship Team oversees and evaluates all children’s and youth Sunday school teachers and curriculum. The Team assists the teachers through prayer, promotion, and leadership. The Team oversees the training and recruiting of all children’s/youth Sunday school classes and teachers. The Team will evaluate the effectiveness of this program regularly.

1. Nursery: The Discipleship Team provides oversight, leadership, and structure for the Nursery program at GPC. The Team regularly sees that appropriate cleanliness, training, and Christian nourishment is maintained in the nursery. The Team works with the Personnel to oversee all nursery workers and volunteers. The Team will evaluate the effectiveness of this program regularly.

1. Children’s Church: The Discipleship Team oversees a program of Children’s Church offered during selected times of corporate worship. The Children’s Church head will have a responsibility to plan and implement the program.  Appropriate training is provided when needed. The team will evaluate the effectiveness of this program regularly.

1. Student Ministries: The Discipleship Team oversees all youth ministries that are directed to engage the middle school and high school people toward faith in Christ and personal discipleship. The Student Ministries Director will have responsibility to envision, create, and implement effective endeavors to accomplish such goals. Regularly the Team will evaluate the effectiveness of any programs offered.

Prayer Ministry: The Discipleship Team approves and oversees a continuous effort to engage and educate our congregation into an effective prayer life—both individually and corporately. Leaders in this effort have responsibility to envision, create, and implement effective prayer occasions and education opportunities to accomplish this goal. The Team will annually evaluate the effectiveness of the programs offered.