The Need
While we benefit from several fine institutions that train pastors for ministry, the brick and mortal format removes those desiring to serve from the church and community that affirms those gifts. The result too often is that when those desiring to enter ministry move to new city to receive the education, they often do not return. NXTGEN appreciates the value of the academic institution by leveraging distance education in community in which the pastor seeks to serve.
This is especially critical for church planting urban and rural communities, among minority and immigrant peoples, and in those regions it is important for church planters to understand the unique qualities of a given community.
The Goals
NXTGEN entrusts the academic process to those institutions and ministries with which they partner, but desires to add an important component to pastoral training. While pastors are often trained in the vitally important biblical and theological constructs, there is little engagement in the soft skills needed for ministry. Emotional and cultural intelligence, spiritual formation and soul-care, oversight of the home and church require mentoring that a classroom setting cannot apply.
The Benefits
NXTGEN is committed to the formation of cohorts where in, on a regular basis, students walk through a cycle of skill development in the context of a bond of brothers that will serve them well into the future.
Who is NxtGen?
Rev. Christopher Vogel has served as the church planter and senior pastor at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Delafield, Wisconsin for over 25 years. Chris’ education includes University of Delaware and Moody Bible Institute where he earned a BA in Biblical Studies; Columbia International University, earning an M.Div. in 1987. He pursued a Ph.D. at Marquette University, partially completing his dissertation before being called to plant Cornerstone.
In addition to his duties at Cornerstone and serving on presbytery committees, Chris is the Director Church of Development for the Presbytery of Wisconsin and leads the On Wisconsin Network, overseeing church planting as well as forming a new pastoral formation program, that works in conjunction with RTS (Reformed Theological Seminary-Orlando), CTS (Covenant Theological Seminary) and LAMP (Leadership and Ministry Preparation). Chris’ interest in training the next generation of pastors focuses on mentoring men in the areas of spiritual formation, soul-care, emotional and cultural intelligence, and leadership skills. This mentoring is done through ministry cohorts, thus providing the men with a community for a lifetime of mutual shepherding.
In 2018, Chris is stepped down as Senior Pastor to devote full time to NXTGEN, encouraging other regions of the country to adopt ministry cohorts, such as is happening in Wisconsin.
Chris and Janet have been married for 40 years. They have three children. Jenny is married to Sam Brown, a PCA pastor, and has three boys, ages 12 to 7. Son John lives in Houston, working as a marketing manager. Michael and Emma live in Madison, WI where he serves as pastor at Harvest Church of Madison.
Testimonial
“I am thrilled with the opportunity for RTS Orlando to partner with On Wisconsin Church Planting Network. Not only do we share the same values and commitments when it comes to ministerial preparation. Above and beyond that, we also share the same passion to see the name of Jesus Christ honored and glorified in the gathering and discipleship of his church.”
Scott R. Swain, Ph.D. | President
James Woodrow Hassell Professor of Systematic Theology
Reformed Theological Seminary – Orlando
Who is NxtGen?
Rev. Christopher Vogel has served as the church planter and senior pastor at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Delafield, Wisconsin for over 25 years. Chris’ education includes University of Delaware and Moody Bible Institute where he earned a BA in Biblical Studies; Columbia International University, earning an M.Div. in 1987. He pursued a Ph.D. at Marquette University, partially completing his dissertation before being called to plant Cornerstone.
In addition to his duties at Cornerstone and serving on presbytery committees, Chris recently assumed the role of Director Church of Development for the Presbytery of Wisconsin and leads the On Wisconsin Network, overseeing church planting as well as forming a new seminary program in Wisconsin, that works in conjunction with RTS (Reformed Theological Seminary-Orlando) and LAMP (Leadership and Ministry Preparation). Chris’ interest in training the next generation of pastors focuses on mentoring men in the areas of spiritual formation, soul-care, emotional and cultural intelligence and leadership skills. This mentoring is done through ministry cohorts, thus providing the men with a community for a lifetime of mutual shepherding.
In 2018, Chris is stepped down as Senior Pastor to devote full time to NXTGEN, encouraging other regions of the country to adopt ministry cohorts, such as is happening in Wisconsin.
Chris and Janet have been married for over 35 years. They have three children. Jenny is married to Sam Brown, a PCA pastor, and has three boys, ages 2 to 7. Son John lives in Milwaukee and works for Milwaukee Public Television. Michael and Emma live outside Madison, interning at Lake Trails Presbyterian Church as he is enrolled in RTS-O, and a part of the new seminary format here in Wisconsin.
Testimonial
“I am thrilled with the opportunity for RTS Orlando to partner with On Wisconsin Church Planting Network. Not only do we share the same values and commitments when it comes to ministerial preparation. Above and beyond that, we also share the same passion to see the name of Jesus Christ honored and glorified in the gathering and discipleship of his church.”
Scott R. Swain, Ph.D. | President
James Woodrow Hassell Professor of Systematic Theology
Reformed Theological Seminary – Orlando
Who is NxtGen?
Rev. Christopher Vogel has served as the church planter and senior pastor at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church in Delafield, Wisconsin for over 25 years. Chris’ education includes University of Delaware and Moody Bible Institute where he earned a BA in Biblical Studies; Columbia International University, earning an M.Div. in 1987. He pursued a Ph.D. at Marquette University, partially completing his dissertation before being called to plant Cornerstone.
In addition to his duties at Cornerstone and serving on presbytery committees, Chris recently assumed the role of Director Church of Development for the Presbytery of Wisconsin and leads the On Wisconsin Network, overseeing church planting as well as forming a new seminary program in Wisconsin, that works in conjunction with RTS (Reformed Theological Seminary-Orlando) and LAMP (Leadership and Ministry Preparation). Chris’ interest in training the next generation of pastors focuses on mentoring men in the areas of spiritual formation, soul-care, emotional and cultural intelligence and leadership skills. This mentoring is done through ministry cohorts, thus providing the men with a community for a lifetime of mutual shepherding.
In 2018, Chris is stepped down as Senior Pastor to devote full time to NXTGEN, encouraging other regions of the country to adopt ministry cohorts, such as is happening in Wisconsin.
Chris and Janet have been married for over 35 years. They have three children. Jenny is married to Sam Brown, a PCA pastor, and has three boys, ages 2 to 7. Son John lives in Milwaukee and works for Milwaukee Public Television. Michael and Emma live outside Madison, interning at Lake Trails Presbyterian Church as he is enrolled in RTS-O, and a part of the new seminary format here in Wisconsin.
Testimonial
“I am thrilled with the opportunity for RTS Orlando to partner with On Wisconsin Church Planting Network. Not only do we share the same values and commitments when it comes to ministerial preparation. Above and beyond that, we also share the same passion to see the name of Jesus Christ honored and glorified in the gathering and discipleship of his church.”
Scott R. Swain, Ph.D. | President
James Woodrow Hassell Professor of Systematic Theology
Reformed Theological Seminary – Orlando