Most of our Bible study throughout our Christian lives focuses on understanding God and learning how to live in right relationship to Him, ourselves and each other - and this is certainly vital to our spiritual growth. However, the Bible also teaches us how to live in right relationship to every aspect of God's creation, which includes society, culture, art, economics, education and politics just to name a few. Furthermore, the Bible helps us understand how to properly order (or re-order) the fallen world as we join Christ in his work of restoring all things. This is where a "Christian worldview" proves vital. 

Ours is a world where the "powers and principalities" are actively working to dis-order God's good creation in areas such as marriage, family, human sexuality, and personhood. As disciples of Christ, we cannot truly love our neighbors and remain indifferent to ideas and actions that do harm to people and God's creation. The fact is "ideas have consequences and bad ideas have victims." Because we care about the victims of "bad ideas," we are pleased to partner with the Colson Center for Christian Worldview in bringing the Colson Fellows Program here to Hill Country Bible Church.

The Colson Fellows Program is a transformational course that compresses a lifetime of Christian wisdom...into ten months. This program will establish a solid foundation for those who are new to the study of Christian worldview, and for those who are well-versed in worldview and apologetics; you will gain new insights into today's rapidly changing culture. Colson Fellows-in-Training go beyond understanding worldview as mere arguments and facts, and develop instead, the critical thinking skills or wisdom to discern what is or is not true, good, and beautiful in every issue that assails us today so they can understand the times and engage others thoughtfully and with grace. 

Beginning each July, Colson Fellows-in-Training follow a carefully curated curriculum that helps them understand and identify worldviews and how they manifest in today's ideas, philosophies, policies and practice. You will learn how to analyze and understand culture and its influence. Additionally, we will examine current cultural flashpoints such as race relations, progressive sexuality, religious liberty, the role of government, economics, and sanctity of life. Finally, Colson Fellows-in-Training will examine the concept of "calling" and develop a "Personal Ministry Plan" that will help them discover their calling, identify their unique gifts and sphere of influence. 

Colson Fellows Brochure

Course Duration: July 1, 2024 through May 2025

Course Commissioning: May 2025

Course Requirements:

• Daily Devotionals (Monday- Friday) that provide a scriptural thread weaving together all course components
• Weekly video assignments that serve as resources for discussion and teaching
• Bi-Weekly webinars with Christian thought leaders and many of the authors of the assigned books
• Monthly in person gatherings with your HCBC cohort members and mentors to discuss course material for a deeper understanding and application of the content

Course Projects:

• Teaching Practicum in which you will develop a 4-5 session mini course on a worldview topic of your choice in order to grow your participants understanding of God’s mission in the world and their part in it.
• 3-year Plan for Ministry in which you will develop a strategy to impact the world around you through what you’ve learned in the program and what God has called you to do.

Additional Program Features:

• 24/7/365 access to the Colson Fellows Online Learning Platform
• Strengths Finder Assessment
• Lifetime access to Colson Center resources and ongoing worldview education
• Inclusion in a network of over 2,500 Colson Fellows working across the globe in various spheres of Christian ministry.

Cost:

Typically, participants in the Colson Fellow Program pay $900 in tuition. Through an exclusive licensing agreement with the Colson Center, Hill Country Bible Church members only pay $550 in tuition.

Participants will need to purchase course books from a source of their choosing, such as Amazon. Estimated book cost is an additional $200.

Schedule:

Applications are due no later than June 15, 2024

Pre-reading begins on or before July 1, 2024

Online access to the course opens the first week of August 2024.

Cohort meetings with fellow Hill Country attenders will be held monthly on the first Saturday of the month from 9:00 am - 12:30pm beginning August 2024 and run through May 2025.

Students should expect to spend 6-8 hours a week on curriculum throughout the 10 month program

Students completing the program will be commissioned in May 2025.

Registration for the 2024-25 Course is closed.

• 1st Step: Apply on the Colson Fellows website by June 15, 2024
• 2nd Step: Register on HCBC site to pay fees by June 30, 2024

Involvement in the Colson Fellow Program has deepened my awareness of the culture I am living in. My understanding of historical events and philosophical trends has given me better perspective to articulate and process from a Biblical Worldview. I feel a greater sense of urgency and responsibility to engage with our culture to make an impact.                   

Tana, Colson Fellow 2023

The ancient Philosopher Socrates once said, “An unexamined life is not worth living”. Living with the headlines of our present day, I now believe the unexamined culture is not worth following. Participating in the Colson Fellows program has equipped me to dissect our culture through a scriptural and historical lens to learn how the faithful believers of the past made a difference in their cultural moments. I’m able to engage with people across the cultural spectrum kindly, confident the beliefs I hold are based on truth and the Word of God.                     

Laurie, Colson Fellow 2023

I feel that I have read a lot more information that I expected, and that while there was some repetition, this has been a very valuable study.  I have recommended it to several other people in our neighborhood small group.  I have already begun to use some of this information in interactions with family and coworkers!  

Bryan, Colson Fellow 2023

It has provided me with rigorous intellectual content while emphasizing spiritual growth. The practice in practical application of Christian principles has helped me identify real world cultural contradictions. Having the opportunity to discuss these topics with like-minded classmates has provided insights into how we might respond to those who think differently. In addition, collaborating with like-minded individuals has provided a community.

Marion, Colson Fellow 2023

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