ENJOY SCHOOL OF MINISTRY

A lot. But the core areas you'll grow in are Theology, Leadership, and Character (TLC):
THEOLOGY
ESM will help you:
Read and interpret the Bible responsibly
Understand the overarching story of Scripture more fully
Explore key doctrines
Study the purpose and mission of the church
See how theology shapes everyday life
Engage culture and mission through a biblical lens
LEADERSHIP
You’ll learn:
Foundations of healthy, biblical leadership
How to lead house churches and teams
Communication and teaching skills
How to mentor and disciple others
Navigating conflict and difficult conversations
Understanding your strengths and areas for growth
How to plan, organize, and execute ministry with excellence
CHARACTER
The most important part of ministry is who you’re becoming.
Formation areas include:
Spiritual disciplines and rhythms of life
Integrity, humility, and emotional maturity
Sustainable ministry habits
Self-awareness and self-leadership
Discerning calling and living with purpose

Thursdays (4-5:30pm) are where all three core areas of TLC come together. A typical session will include:
Discussion around the week’s theology or leadership theme
Reflection and processing as a group
Scripture and spiritual formation practices

The optional half-day (12-4pm) gives space for deeper formation in all three areas of theology, leadership, and character. If you choose this track, attendance is required.

It will look different each week, but a typical half-day schedule might include:

12-12:45pm: Shared Meal & Conversation
Eating together, processing the week, and discussing the day’s theme.
12:45-2:30pm: Teaching & Formation
Extended teaching on rotating topics within theology, leadership, character, and culture. This block may also include guest speakers and longer-form discussions.
2:30-3:30pm: Skill + Practice Labs
Hands-on training to help you develop practical ministry skills through exercises, practice, and feedback.
3:30-4pm: Reflection
Space to process what you’ve learned through personal reflection or guided group conversation.

Yes. ESM is designed for two semesters (January-May and August-December). The full year allows you to get the most out of the program!

No. ESM is for anyone who wants to grow as a follower of Jesus and develop in leadership and ministry skills. You don’t need to feel called to full-time vocational ministry. Whether you’re considering missions, mentoring others, serving in the church, leading a house church, or exploring any ministry-related calling, ESM will provide tools, training, and experience to help you grow.

It’s not for people who don’t feel called to serve or lead in any capacity, but for anyone who wants to engage in ministry, this program will help you discern and step into that calling.

You’re eager to grow and you welcome being stretched.
You want to deepen your understanding of Scripture, sharpen your theology, and develop as a disciple of Jesus. You’re open to being challenged and letting Scripture shape your beliefs.
You’re genuinely teachable and willing to learn.
You’re okay with being wrong sometimes. You value feedback. You want to learn from pastors, leaders, resources, and peers. If your theology or church traditions are stretched, you’re willing to engage that process humbly.
You sense a calling to ministry in some form.
This doesn’t have to mean full-time church employment. Whether it's missions, teaching, preaching, worship, youth, discipleship, church planting, evangelism, or something else God has been stirring in you.
You value community and honest conversations.
You want to walk with others who are also hungry for spiritual formation and discipleship.
You’re committed and reliable.
You show up and you keep your word. You understand that formation happens through consistency. You’re willing to give your best to both the required gatherings and the optional (but deeply rewarding) half-day blocks.
You’re ready for both skill development and character formation.
You want to grow in competence (teaching, leading, discipling), but you also care about integrity, humility, emotional health.

You want something casual or low-commitment.
ESM is intentional, relational, and hands-on. If you’re looking for something more drop-in style, this won’t match what you’re hoping for. The weekly meetings, one-on-one coaching, serving on a team, being part of a house church, and completing monthly assignments are all core to the experience. If your schedule or season of life doesn’t allow for that level of consistency, you may feel pulled in too many directions.
You’re not ready to be teachable or humble in your learning.
Throughout the program, your theology and your assumptions about leadership will be challenged in healthy and biblical ways. If you’re not open to examining your beliefs, receiving feedback, or being shaped by Scripture and community, ESM will feel uncomfortable.
You don’t see yourself doing any form of ministry in the future.
ESM is for those who sense some kind of ministry calling, whether that’s missions, worship, teaching, pastoral ministry, house church leadership, youth ministry, evangelism, discipleship, church planting, eldership, or another ministry expression. If you don’t feel drawn toward ministry in any capacity, this program likely won’t align with your passions or goals.

$0. We believe leaders are worth investing in, so the Enjoy School of Ministry is completely free to participate in. The only cost to students is purchasing a few required books throughout the year. We'll provide a full list in advance so you can plan ahead.

Not automatically. Applying is just the first step. We'll review applications and do interviews to make sure the program is a good fit for you. We want to make sure students can fully engage and contribute, so acceptance is based on your fit for the program, your willingness to learn, and some sense of calling to a form of ministry. We're looking for FAT students (Faithful, Available, Teachable)! :)