Theology for Everyone

Porterbrook Austin 2011-2012 Year

Porterbrook Austin is a rich theological training program that helps Christians learn how to serve Jesus and his people better — whether they are church leaders, church planters, or simply Christians wanting to deepen their theological understanding and become more mission-focused. The programs are flexible and have been designed to be integrated with your whole Christian life in whatever context you’re serving. The courses above are being offered for the upcoming quarter, click here for the full curriculum.

Program Options for Soma Austin

For those at Soma Austin, there are several programs:

  • Theology for Everyone: Full 2 Year Program (all 4 courses each quarter)
  • Soma Austin D-Groups
  • Soma Austin Leader Development

Program Descriptions

  • Theology for Everyone: Full Program ($480 per year) (sign-up)
    This program is a two-year church-based theological training program with a supported self-study structure. The supported self-study structure consists of a 9-week self-study schedule with quarterly seminars, online support and pairing you with a learning cohort team. In the full program you will take 24 courses over a two year schedule. (4 courses per quarter x 3 quarters x 2 years). You can find the full curriculum here.
  • Soma Austin D-Groups ($20 per course) (sign-up via your D-Group leader)
    If you are leading a D-Group (a Soma Austin discipleship group) or a member of a D-Group you can take any course from the two year syllabus as a D-Group together. You do not need to use the formal format, but it does need a D-Group leader who is approved to walk the group through the course. If you are a D-Group leader and want to use this material, please email Adam Wilder. You can find the full curriculum here.
  • Soma Austin Leader Development (free for required leadership courses)
    We believe in the Porterbrook Austin program so much we are also using it for Leadership Development at Soma Austin. We have leadership tracks for D-Group Leaders, Soma Group Leaders, Deacons, Elders and Church Planters. Sign-up for this program is automatic for those training for one of the listed roles. Contact Adam Wilder if you are interested in serving as a D-Group Leader, Soma Group Leader or as a Church Planter. The Deacon and Elder roles are by recruitment only. You can find the full curriculum here. 

Fall 2011 Course Offerings
Foundation Courses:
Bible & Doctrine: Reading God’s Story: Introducing Exposition & Biblical Theology 
Character: Gospel Living
Church: Missional Community Life
World: Apologetics

Advanced Courses:
Bible & Doctrine: The Bible And Missional Perspective
Theology Character: Living The Cross & Resurrection
Church: Missional Church & Church Planting
World: Engaging With Context

Fall 2011 Course Schedule
09/10/11 Fall 2011 Intro Seminar
09/17/11 Unit 1 Complete
09/24/11 Unit 2 Complete
10/01/11 Unit 3 Complete
10/08/11 Unit 4 Complete
10/15/11 Unit 5 Complete
10/22/11 Unit 6 Complete
10/29/11 Unit 7 Complete
11/5/11 Unit 8 Complete
11/12/11 Unit 9 Complete/Fall Seminar Presentations of Assignments/Winter Intro Seminar

Winter 2011 Course Offerings
Foundation Courses:
Bible & Doctrine: Applying Exposition & Biblical Theology
Character: Gospel Relationships
Church: Engaging Globally
World: Evangelism

Advanced Courses:
Bible & Doctrine: Bible Teaching In Mission Context
Theology Character: Pastoral Care: Part One
Church: Gospel Leadership
World: Engaging With The Urban Poor

Winter 2011 Course Schedule
11/12/11 Winter 2011 Intro Seminar
11/19/11 Unit 1 Complete
11/26/11 Thanksgiving Break
12/03/11 Unit 2 Complete
12/10/11 Unit 3 Complete
12/17/11 Unit 4 Complete
12/24/11 Christmas Break
12/31/11 Christmas Break
01/07/12 Unit 5 Complete
01/14/12 Unit 6 Complete
01/21/12 Unit 7 Complete
01/28/12 Unit 8 Complete
02/04/12 Unit 9 Complete + Seminar Presentations of Assignments

Spring 2012 Course Offerings
Foundation Courses:
Bible & Doctrine: The Real God for the Real World
Character: Gospel Change
Church: Keeping It Missional
World: Culture

Advanced Courses:
Bible & Doctrine: 2000 Years of the Great Comission
Theology Character: Pastoral Care: Part Two
Church: Beyond The Church Plant
World: Engaging With The City

Spring 2012 Course Schedule
02/04/12   Spring 2011 Intro Seminar
02/11/12 Unit 1 Complete
02/18/12 Unit 2 Complete
02/25/12 Unit 3 Complete
03/03/12 Unit 4 Complete
03/10/12 Unit 5 Complete
03/17/12  Spring Break
03/24/12 Unit 6 Complete
03/31/12 Unit 7 Complete
04/07/12 Easter Break
04/14/12 Unit 8 Complete
04/21/12 Unit 9 Complete
04/28/12 Seminar Presentations of Assignments/Final Seminar


More on Pricing

Pricing Above Represents Subsidized Costs for Soma Austin Members

As an investment in Soma Austin members we are subsidizing a majority of the cost. For the purposes of the subsidized costs, 'Soma members' is both Covenant Members and participating members, those who participate in the Soma Austin community, but who are not yet members. It's ok if you've only been here once recently, if you are progressing toward calling Soma Austin your community, then it's for you. (sign-up)

What is included in the costs?

Cost includes 1) Workbooks, 2) Learning Seminars with drinks & light snacks, and 3) Online community support with others taking the courses alongside you. We will also have optional deeper discussions and presentations for those in the full program with Soma Austin pastors and area pastors. (sign-up)

Financial Assistance

If you need financial assistance, please email us with the program your interested in and we will work out an affordable rate. It's called Theology for Everyone so we will make it happen.

What is the Learning Philosophy of Porterbrook Austin?

Let's face it, we want to learn but where do we fit it in our schedule. Some of us are great at self-study and some of us, well, not so much. We believe the hybrid approach of a supported learning community is the solution. In this approach, your learning will be done through self-study that is supported by monthly seminars (a Week 0 Intro to prepare you for success & Week 9 Seminar where we share teaching, learnings & presentations), a learning cohort team, and an online community that is walking through it together. We believe this structure helps students keep on track, apply their learning to their context, and learn from other students who are applying the material to their church and context. Taking four courses in a quarter requires 25-30 pages of reading and 5 hours of study each week. (sign-up)