Elder & deacon training · in production
The Faithful Shepherd
Foundations for Serving in Church Office
A cinematic video course that prepares men to serve as elders and deacons. Made for every NAPARC church, and free to every church, forever.
The vision
The church does not need more executives. It needs more shepherds.
Many capable men turn down church office, or serve anxiously for years, because no one ever prepared them for it.
They have never made a house visit or sat in a discipline case, and nobody walked them through what the vows really ask.
The Faithful Shepherd gives every council, session and consistory a beautiful, trustworthy place to start, so the next man can say yes with confidence and serve with joy.
The series
One course, from the first call to the long haul.
For the man weighing a nomination, the man in his first year, and the man who has served for decades. Short lessons that a man can watch over lunch, or a council can work through together, one module per evening.
For every office-bearer
- 01The Church Christ Rules
- 02The Call
- 03Serving Well
- 04The Heart of a Shepherd
The elder’s work
- 05The Elder as Shepherd
- 06The Elder as Overseer
The deacon’s work
- 07The Deacon
- 08The Deacon at Work
Opened and closed by all four hosts together, ending with a commissioning charge for every man who has watched.
What makes it different
Made to serve every church for years to come.
Rooted in Scripture
Every lesson is built on the texts that define the offices, from 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 to Acts 6 and 1 Peter 5, and anchored in the Reformed confessions.
Made for the whole family
Written from the first draft for Presbyterian and Continental Reformed churches alike, and taught by pastors from both traditions.
Beautifully filmed
Professionally filmed and edited by Faith to Film, with the same care that went into the Reformed Confessions Project.
Free, forever
On YouTube and the Shepherd’s Portal, with worksheets, quizzes and a certificate. No church will ever pay to use it.
For the churches of NAPARC
The faculty of four
Four pastors, each teaching what he knows best.
The Churchman
Makes church government feel like shepherding.
The Pastor’s Pastor
Speaks to the heart of the man who serves.
The Shepherd
Teaches the elder’s care for the flock.
The Deacons’ Teacher
Gives the diaconate its full dignity.
The road to launch
- Confirm
- Write
- Film
- Edit
- Launch
Who is making it
From the team behind the Reformed Confessions Project.
Faith to Film is a Reformed video ministry in Lethbridge, Alberta. Since 2020 it has made teaching films for the church and given every one of them away.
- 52Heidelberg Catechism films
- 26Pastors from across NAPARC
- 27Essential Truths films
David Visser, director and animator · Kyle Vasas, producer and web developer
Join us
Help bring The Faithful Shepherd to life.
Your gift helps us film the series and prepare the next generation of faithful shepherds. Charitable receipts are issued through The Great Commission Foundation.
“Shepherd the flock of God that is among you.”1 Peter 5:2