Welcome to Porterbrook: Serenissima (Venice)
Situated at the base of the Dolomite Mountains just north of Venice, Italy, the
Serenissima Ministries would like to invite men and women from all of
Europe to partake in the Porterbrook Network’s strategic training co-operative
for churches. The course is delivered through distance learning with an
introductory day and 3 residential weekends throughout the year. The
residential weekends will be wonderful opportunities to form rich, enduring
partnerships, refresh your heart and mind with lovely worship, and enjoy some
of the best food this side of Heaven all in the beautiful surroundings of the
Veneto-Friuli region.
The full course covers two years comprising a foundation year and advanced
year. While it does not require the academic load of seminary training, there
will still be about 5 hours of necessary study each week. Students can join
either year at any residential weekend depending on their needs and
circumstances. The advanced year is for people who have had some previous
theological training or experience of church leadership or have completed the
foundation year.
There will be assignments to prepare for each residential weekend, either in
the form of a short presentation or a written assignment with notes for
discussion. The aim is to help 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. We will also be inviting and hosting special speakers
with excellent gifts, skill-sets, and experience in the ministry to the peoples of
Europe.
We do require each student to have the support of their local church, and
ideally, to foster a relationship between us and their ministry leaders. We believe the experience will be so beneficial to every student that the
Serenissima Ministries will defray all of the costs of food and lodging for each
student in the residential weekends. We are seeking to invest in you and the
Lord’s work through you. The student will be responsible for their travel costs.
If arriving by plane, the three nearest airports are Venezia Marco Polo,
Treviso, and Manfalcone Trieste. If arriving by train, the two nearest stops are
Sacile or Pordenone.
Currently, the training is offered in English. However, with the assistance of
God’s people, we would like to develop the materials into Italian and other
languages in the future.
Dates 2010-2011
(the dates are subject to change. Also, you may enter at anyone of these but we encourage you to start at the introduction day if at all possible):
Introductory Day – 13 November 2010
Winter Residential – 4-6 February 2011
Spring Residential – 6-8 May 2011
Summer Residential – 9-11 September 2011
Fees: 300 Euros per year, which includes a CD of the materials, special
speakers, accommodations, and catering for all of the residentials.
NOTE: Sponsorship is available. Please contact us for more information if
you have any needs.
