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Frequently Asked Questions about Midwest Leadership Development Network
How can I register for the Midwest Leadership Development Network?
Fill out the Registration Form. Send it with the $50 registration fee to Midwest LDN.
Send a copy of the Registration Form to your council and ask that they fill out the Church Recommendation Form.
Who may attend the Midwest Leadership Development Network?
MLDN 101 is open to all people who desire to improve their Bible knowledge, increase ministry skills, and develop a godly character. You are expected to be in some type of ministry such as: Sunday School teacher, small group leader, prayer coordinator, elder, deacon, or youth leader.
MLDN 201 – 301 is open to those who have completed MLDN 101 and have a specific desire for more intensive training toward a possible position as a ministry associate or church planter.
What will be covered in MLDN 101?
MLDN 101 is an overview of the Bible with a focus on the covenants and doctrines. You will be reading selected Bible passages (Genesis 12-50 for the October class). You will discuss character issues touched on in these passages. You will be taught life and ministry skills. See the MLDN 101 curriculum outline for the complete list. While some of the “basics” of MLDN 101 will be familiar to you, it is designed to stretch your knowledge and the ways you integrate it into your life and ministry.
What is the difference between MLDN 101 and 201 and 301?
MLDN 101 is a more basic training that covers the whole Bible through the perspective of covenants. We will work on skill and character development. MLDN 201 and 301 go deeper into theological studies and skill and character development. In general MLDN 101 focuses on helping you increase your ministry abilities for your current situation. In general MLDN 201 and 301 will help people develop skills that may often lead to new ministry positions.
Who are the leaders?
Pastor Jim Hoogeveen received his B.A. from Dordt College and a Master of Divinity from Calvin Seminary in 1976. Since then he served in three established churches and planted two new churches. He is the pastor of Heartland Community Church in Sioux Falls, SD. Jim, as the director of MLDN, has a desire to raise up and equip leaders.
Lois Hoogeveen attended Dordt College and later received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She developed and directed the leadership training program for GEMS. She is a CRC Home Missions Small Group Ministry Developer for West Central United States. Lois is an author of children’s Bible curriculum and is on the writing team for Ascending Leaders Disciple Formation Curriculum. Lois has a passion to help people apply scriptural truths to their lives.
Dr. John Lierman is an Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Sioux Falls since 2005 where he is on staff with Dr. Christina Hitchcock who is on Sabbatical this year. His degrees include B.A. Rice University, M.Div. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, M.A. Trinity International University and Ph.D. Cambridge University. John has a heart and passion for people to know the scriptures and Jesus Christ to whom they point.
Some other people may be brought in to teach certain sections.
How much time will it take to do the assignments?
You can expect the reading and writing assignments to take about 5 to 7 hours a week.
What does it mean to be a mentor?
A mentor is a person who works with the trainee to encourage them and hold them accountable to their study and ministry. The mentor should meet with the trainee a minimum of 1 hour per month. Contact by phone and email will help foster this relationship. The mentor will be provided with training as to what questions to ask and how to help the trainee.
Why must the home church pay a $100 fee?
It demonstrates that the church leadership believes that the person they are recommending for MLDN training is worthy of their time and money. The fee helps cover costs for the training of the mentor. We believe that the training the person receives will make them a more valuable ministry asset to the church. Church Order Article 64 b. states: “Each church shall provide opportunities for continued instruction of adult members.”
How is this different than seminary?
Seminary is a formal educational experience, designed to prepare people for the ordained ministry. There are some similarities between the two, but MLDN emphasizes practical knowledge and character development alongside biblical understanding, where seminary emphasizes theoretical knowledge and competence in Hebrew and Greek. MLDN also allows the learning to happen locally and within the congregation, instead of going “out of the system” for a graduate degree.
I don’t want to be a pastor or associate minister. Is this for me?
Year one is especially for you! Year one in the Midwest LDN targets anyone from elders and deacons to youth leaders to prayer coordinators to exhorters to small group leaders to Sunday School teachers. It’s geared for people who aren’t seeking ordination – but are hungry to be more mature and effective in their ministries. The optional years two and three are for those who desire more training that may possibly lead to the position of “ministry associate.”
What happens if I can’t make it to class on one of the Saturdays?
It is very important to make every possible session since we do not meet very often and interaction with others is an important part of the training. Sessions are digitally recorded and can be sent out after the session.
What happens if we can’t meet because of weather conditions?
We will try to reschedule the week following.
Where is the best place to purchase the books I need?
We will purchase the books in bulk to get some better deals and you can purchase them from us. Almost all the books you will need can be found online at www.cbd.com or www.amazon.com. For books that pertain to the CRC more directly, you can acquire them at www.faithaliveresources.org. The Midwest LDN will also provide print-outs of articles to you. There is a continual effort to keep book expenses low while helping you build a library that will assist you in your ministry.
May I audit a session?
Yes, you may audit a session. Just let the MLDN leaders know about it in advance.
Mentors are encouraged to audit sessions or a part of a session.
Can some of the assignments be personalized for my particular needs for ministry?
Yes, definitely. We will work with you in personalizing certain projects.
Will this be any fun?
Yes! You will learn, share, laugh, and rejoice about the things God is doing in you and in others.
Will my spouse have to do anything?
Spouses do not have to participate in any of the course work. Spouses are encouraged to attend the May retreat session. Their major role through the year is to encourage and support you to do the work and stick with it. The spouse may and is encouraged to attend the sessions for free, and be involved at the level they feel comfortable with.
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