SOWERS' training offers distinct benefits. Transferability and multiplication are key features. Yes, the Program is very low cost, sustainable, simple, Biblical, church based and singularly effective. Yet the ability of trained churches to pass the Program on to others is a key benefit to many.
Although training is normally given to churches, the Program may be available to Bible Schools to train future church leaders.
What is the training like?
A key to the SOWERS' Program is the step by step approach to training. Here is how it works:
Level 1 - Members of a local church are trained as an open air team. The seminar takes one or two days and the curriculum includes:
- How to be used by God
- How to lead a person to Christ
- The church team in the open air
- Counselling after an evangelistic meeting
- The responsibilities of spiritual parenthood
After a team program in the open air, Level 1 graduates who have mixed with the crowd will counsel enquirers.
Level 2 - Level 1 graduates with leadership potential will be chosen for Level 2 training as evangelists and team leaders. The course provides training in how to conduct open air programs. It includes Biblical inspiration, manual-based instruction and the development of the student's practical skills in the classroom, in the sketchboard workshop and open air meetings.
When a church has people trained at these two levels it is able to continue using the Program for its outdoor evangelism without further input from the Mission.
Level 3 - If a Sower wants to learn to train others, then with the endorsement of the church leaders he/she may apply for further training. Entrants to the Level 3 Refresher Seminar must have completed a minimum of ten open air meetings since their graduation from Level 2. Graduation to Level 3 will qualify them to teach Level 1. This is a two or three day seminar, the curriculum consisting of:
- Review and improvement of open air ministry
- Enhancement of team leadership skills, etc
- Teacher training for Level 1, team leadership and local church mobilisation
Level 4 - Leading to the status of SOWERS Associate Level 4, this is a supervised period of learning how to arrange and conduct Level 2 SOWERS Seminars.
Lastly, there are two advanced levels of teacher training and leadership development:
Level 5 - This training gives resources to selected SOWERS Associates to conduct Level 3 Refresher Seminars. Their appointment as SOWERS Associate Level 5 will involve other SOWERS Program functions to inspire and develop active Sowers.
Level 6 - Consisting mostly of practical work and assessments, completion of SOWERS training at this final level equips a SOWERS Associate Level 6 to teach students and teachers of the Program at all levels including this one.