OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM IN

FINLAND/ESTONIA

1. Candidate studies

3. Officer Training

5. In-service Training

1. Candidate studies

-studies and assignments during ½ year period before entering the SFOT

2 Officer Training

Goal

The training should aim at equipping officers for a leadership with the goals to guide people to salvation- to teach and to direct them towars a holy life – to serve the suffering world (save souls-grow saints and love the suffering humanity)

Methods

2. Flexible training system: - two study days in a week

- study weekends 4 per year

- study weeks 2 per year

- practical learning at a corps/ social institute

2. Personal guiding

3. Mentoring ( each cadet has her/his own mentor during cadetship)

4. Lectures & Assignments

Length of Studies

2-3 years depending of earlier studies and professions

Studies are divided into 3 main blocks:

Block 1 SPIRITUAL LIFE

- this block is the basis of the entire officership – a mentor is required throughout the whole process.

Some part will consist of self-development/studies, some part of tuition and practice.

A Spiritual formation

1) Personal development ( as a human being)

2) Personal devotional life

3) A sanctified life

4) Counselling

5) Spiritual days

B The life of worship

1) Homiletics

2) Prayer

3) Song and music

4) The place of worship

5) Symbols, ceremonies and symbolic acts

6) Public speaking /technique)

C Evangelism

1) Evangelism in words and deeds (spiritually and socially)

2) God’s world today – and its people

D Leadership

1) Spiritual leadership – theology of officership

2) Leadership models

3) Orders and regulations concerning officers

Block II THE AQUIRING OF KNOWLEDGE

- This block consist of lectures, self-study and tuition. It is most important to learn the study techniques, as knowledge has to be acquired on one’s own throughout life.

A Introduction of studies

1) Reading and study techniques

2) Writing technique

3) Making use of dictionaries, library, internet etc.

4) Languages

E Ethics

1) Human dignity and human values

2) Ethical agenda of today

3) Positional statements

4) Psychology

B Biblical knowledge

1) Introduction to the New Testament and the world in which it came into being. The Gospel (general studies, one is chosen for trorough examination and exercises), Pauline Epistles, The Pastoral letters (general studies), The Revelation(general studies)

2) Introduction to the Old Testament. The historical books (general studies), The Prophets (general studies, one is chosen for thorough examination and exercises) The Psalms, the Wisdom literature, Book of Job (general studies, one is chosen for thorough studies and exercises)

C Faith

1) The doctrine of the Salvation Army

2) The history of dogmatics

D History

1. Church history

2. The history of the Salvation Army

3. Ecumenical issues

4. History of religion

5. Other religions

E Ethics

1) Human dignity and human values

2) Ethical agenda of today

3) Positional statements

4) Psychology

F Administration

1) Economics – fund raising, administration of funds, book-keeping

2) Properties and administration of properties

3) The labour market and its rules

4) Reports (statistics etc.)

5) Contacts to the media – press releases and advertising

Block III PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

This block is to be studied with the help of an apprenticeship – practical experience together with those working in the these areas.

A Salvation Army expressions

1) Social work on all levels

2) Work with children and young people

3) Corps activities – programme – new planting – growth

4) Song – and music – special events

Co-operation We have co-operation with

1) University of Joensuu, Faculty of Theology

2) Åbo Akademi, Faculty of Theology

3) Other Bible Colleges in Finland

4) SA School for Officer Training

A. Nordic block

B. European connections

3. In-service Training (for officers)

- Further Education Courses for young officers (”Captain Course”); 1 week/year during 5 years period (Themes: leadership, pastoral care, Bible, society themes,

- Officers’ Councils/Officer courses for all active officers; 1 week/year (different themes)

- Individual courses depending of need and interest