Fellowship Curriculum

Our curriculum includes meals together, mentorship, reading, practical assignments, and four retreats with classes, discussion, and activities.

Module 1: Foundations of Formation

Understand God's vision for a good life and be transformed through disciplines of grace.

  • As we follow God, we learn to see the world as God sees it - full of his Good creation, yet in need of redemption. All people, all of creation, have inherent dignity and worth because of the One who made them, and yet we are all fallen and broken and must be restored to full flourishing as God intended, and will one day bring about, in his kingdom. We live between the tension of the Kingdom that is coming and the reality of our current, broken world as agents of flourishing for all as we pursue the good, the true, and the beautiful.

  • Our lives are shaped by who and what we love as evidenced by the desires of our heart and what we give our attention to. This is reflected in our thoughts, habits, use of time, spending, etc. To be transformed into the image of Christ, we must grow to desire him above all else in response to His great love for us and to give our attention to the things of God - what he calls "good."

  • Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, the last Adam, the culmination of thousands of years of God working in His people and he has invited us to be his followers - his apprentices - to be with him, become like him, and do as he did. Jesus provides teachings and the example of the practices and character that we must inhabit. We are not able to do this alone, but through the power of the Holy Spirit and in a community of followers of Jesus.

  • Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

Module 2: Purposeful Life Work

Reframe your work to find meaning and purpose in all of your paid and unpaid labors.

  • In the New Testament we are provided with a second mandate that calls us to bring the Gospel to all people and make disciples. This work isn't limited to those in "full time ministry" but kingdom-establishing work is part of the call of all followers of Jesus. What does it look like to be a witness in our current cultural context - how do we lovingly confront our neighbors with the Gospel and make disciples?

  • Despite how it might feel or how we wish it was, our work life is not severed from the rest of our life. Our identity as a follower of Christ and calling to be a witness and cultivate flourishing includes our work and the actual people with whom we interact. We were placed among these people for a purpose and are uniquely positioned to be ambassadors of God and his Kingdom, seeking the flourishing of all with whom we work alongside, serve, and lead in our workplace.

  • Scripture provides a general mandate for all people that includes work. Not only is work necessary, but it is good because we are made in the image of God, the Maker. No matter how mundane, paid or unpaid, our tasks have dignity, value, and purpose.

    How can we approach all of our work and life with creativity and imagination, working to serve our neighbors as co-laborers with God?

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Module 3: People & Place

Invest in the people and places nearest to you with a vision for their flourishing.

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Module 4: Living for Shalom

Seek the common good of your city - the peace and prosperity of a society for all people - giving special attention to the poor, oppressed, and marginalized.

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Retreats

Four retreats are held each year for teaching, hands-on experience and community-building. Retreats are not overnight and are held in Lancaster, PA.

Applicants must able to commit to attending all retreats in order to be considered for acceptance into the program.

2026-2027 Retreat Dates

Module 1: August 28 & 29

Module 2: October 30 & 31

Module 3: January 15 & 16

Module 4: March 12 & 13

Typical Retreat Schedule*

Friday

7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Activity, Film Screening or Lecture

Saturday

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM Class I

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM Break

10:45 AM - 12:15 PM Class II

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM Lunch (provided)

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Activity

4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Wrap-Up & Reflection

*actual schedules may vary

Common Meals

Fellows gather every other week in a host home for a meal together. During common meals, fellows have the opportunity to:

  • build deeper relationships with one another

  • share their story

  • discuss reading

  • reflect on podcasts, spiritual practices, and any other assignments

  • ask questions

  • gain leadership & hospitality skills

Common Meals are on Thursday evenings from 6-9 PM.

Mentorship

Each fellow is placed with a Christian mentor who will provide personal guidance throughout the program. Fellows should anticipate meeting with their mentor at least once each month, though we recommend meeting bi-weekly when possible. During mentor meetings you will:

  • share your story

  • ask questions

  • reflect on your learning & experience

  • gain wisdom and insight

Spiritual Practices & Reflection

Fellows will complete a Liturgical Audit and create a Rule of Life that will be a foundation for building their spiritual practices. Some practices will be done in community with the rest of the cohort and some will be practiced on your own. The provided workbook will guide you through practices, personal reflection, and group discussions.

All fellows will begin with the following practices:

  • Daily scripture reading

  • Daily prayer

  • Weekly Sabbath that includes church attendance

As the program continues, you will build on and add to these practices.

Fellows will write a 1-2 page reflection paper each semester.

Reading

Our reading list changes from year to year, but below is a list of some of our past books. Fellows read eight books (one per month) during the course of the program, along with some select articles and discuss them during Common Meals. Reading will be discussed during common meals.

The Narrow Path by Rich Villodas

Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer

Work: It’s Purpose, Dignity and Transformation by Daniel Doriani

Naming the Animals by Stephen Roach

The Ministry of Ordinary Places by Shannon Martin

How to Know a Person by David Brooks

Generous Justice by Timothy Keller

How Far to the Promised Land by Esau McCaulley

Teachers

Our teachers are typically local to the Lancaster area where they work and serve in various capacities. Below are some of our past teachers.

Tom Becker

Director of The Row House

Aaron Brown

Executive Pastor at Manheim Brethren in Christ Church

Bruce Etter

Founder of the Alyosha Society

Dr. Justin Harbin

Director of the Center for Teaching & Learning

Dr. Justin Hawkins

Post-Doctoral researcher at Columbia Medical School

Kimberly Ibarra

Nurse Practitioner

Luke LeDuc

Senior Pastor at Wheatland Presbyterian Church

Adam Nagle

Executive Director, The Factory Ministries

Zachary Northen

State Parole Agent for Pennsylvania

Rev. David Peck

Rector at Saint James Episcopal Church

Kaitlyn Schiess

Author, Cohost of The Holy Post podcast and Host of the Curiously Kaitlyn podcast

Samuel Spatola

Director of Student Ministries & Outreach at Wheatland Presbyterian Church

Keith Winder

Associate Pastor at Wheatland Presbyterian Church

Kristen Zimmerman