Small Church Academy is a small-group gathering of Pastors who meet regularly to study important aspects of their ministries/Christian service and to share accountability and encouragement from like-minded, caring friends.  Relational-based learning is a collaborative learning style in which each group of individuals advance through a program of study and time together.  The goal of each module (Pastor, Church Leaders, Church Members, New Believers) is to focus on personal discipleship, ministry potential and spiritual development.

  • A small group of individuals along with an experienced leader who will commit to meeting together approximately every two weeks for one hour, either face-to-face or virtually via Zoom. Groups will engage in directed discussion around the required reading or watching a video for the session, discussion on pertinent issues that the group’s individuals are facing in their respective ministries, and a short time of prayer before closing the session.

  • There is no cost to the program and all materials including textbooks or videos will be provided by the BSCLN and her partners.

  • Of course, the Bible (personal translation) shall be the primary textbook used within any program. There are three paths of study that Cohort members may take.


    -What the Bible Says to the Minister: The Minister’s Personal Handbook (LMW)
    -What the Bible Says to the Believer: The Believer’s Personal Handbook (LMW)
    -What Every Pastor Ought to Know –video series (LWF)
    -What Every Christian Ought to Know – video series (LWF)
    -Evangelism in the Small Church--digital series (LWF)
    -"Reclaiming Glory" by Mark Clifton-book study


    These books or videos are used as reading background to the discussion sessions of the Cohort meetings. For more information on the books, please visit Leadership Ministries Worldwide. For more information on the video series, please visit Love Worth Finding.

  • The greatest expectation of commitment shall be simply that each participant will do their best to attend the sessions, read the background material or watch the videos, and share/discuss during the meeting with the others.

  • What the Bible Says to the Minister is a comprehensive guide to everything the Bible says to pastors and ministers of God's Word. In this study, ministers will delve deeply into God’s word and how it applies to ministry. The text book will be provided to participants. To learn more please visit our ministry partner Leadership Ministries Worldwide (lmw.org).

    Season 1:

    Session 1 – Your Call To The Ministry

    Session 2 – What Are My Goals As A Minister?

    Session 3 – The Purposes Of My Ministry

    Session 4 – The Gifts Of God To Do Ministry

    Session 5 – The Duties Of Ministry

    Session 6 and 7- The Minister As Preacher and Teacher

    Season 2

    Session 8 – Dealing With False Teaching

    Session 9 – Daily Needs To Walk As A Minister

    Session 10 – The Personal Life Of A Minister

    Session 11 – On Ministry To And With Others

    Session 12 – The Minister Who Suffers

    Session 13 – The Reward Of Ministry

  • In this cohort, members will utilize LWF’s video series and workbooks.

    Anyone desiring to understand more about the roles and responsibilities of a pastor should take this course. It is delivered personally by Dr. Adrian Rogers, many times known as a "pastor to pastors" because of his love and concern for pastors. Also included are sessions on Dr. Rogers's own methods for sermon preparation and delivery.

    Season 1:

    Week 1 – The Pastor’s Job Description

    Week 2 – The Pastor’s Personal Integrity

    Week 3 – The Pastor’s Spiritual Priority

    Week 4 – The Pastor’s Marital Fidelity and Parental Responsibility

    Week 5 – The Pastor’s Sexual Purity

    Week 6 - The Sermon’s Exposition

    Week 7 - The Sermon’s Preparation

    Season 2

    Week 8 – The Sermon’s Illustration

    Week 9 - The Sermon’s Presentation

    Week 10 – The Sermon’s Invitation

    Week 11 – The Church’s Organizational Principles

    Week 12 – The Pastor’s Spiritual Authority

    Week 13 – The Pastor’s Personal Leadership

    Week 14 - Practical Ideas For Your Ministry

  • In this cohort, members will utilize LWF’s video series and workbooks

    Pastor Adrian Rogers takes the basic doctrines of the Christian faith and breaks them down into simple, easy-to-understand lessons. The ideal doctrinal foundation for the brand new Christian and positive reinforcement for the mature believer. What Every Christian Ought to Know will help each viewer to establish firm spiritual roots, deepen their convictions, and equip them for hands-on ministry.

    Season 1:

    Week 1 – How to Know the Bible is the Word of God

    Week 2 – How to Be Saved and Know It

    Week 3 – How to Be Sure You Are Eternally Secure

    Week 4 – What Happens When a Christian Sins

    Week 5 – What the Bible Teaches About Baptism

    Week 6 - How to Handle Temptation

    Week 7 - How to Be Filled With the Spirit

    Week 8 – How to Know the Will of God

  • In this cohort, members will utilize LWF’s online course.

    "In partnership with Evangelism Explosion, we are here to help you be successful in sharing your faith! During this online course, you will be learning the basics of how to share your faith with confidence. This free course has seven sections and includes videos, quizzes, action steps, and discussion prompts.reinforcement for the mature believer. What Every Christian Ought to Know will help each viewer to establish firm spiritual roots, deepen their convictions, and equip them for hands-on ministry."

    1. Getting Started

    2. Your Story

    3. Diagnostic Questions

    4. Sharing The Gospel

    5. Transferring Trust

    6. Leading In Commitment

    7. Beginning Discipleship