COMMISSIONING HANDBOOK

Turn in your Commissioning Letter of Intent (attached)to your mentor or a PHC staff member. If you do not have a mentor

one will be assigned to you.

Choose 9 books from the enclosed approved curriculum.

By May 1, plan to have a payment of $100-150 for your sword or shield and $65 for a dagger. (Pricing may vary due to annual

increase in cost and shipping.)

Turn in your curriculum to your mentor on or before May 1

For each Ed Cole book a. Final Exam (in workbook) b. Short Essay (in workbook) c. Long Essay (questions attached to this packet)

For each non-Ed Cole book

a. Curriculum Packet (found at bookstore) b. Long Essay (attached to this packet)

Be prepared to be a part of the Commissioning Ceremony in June.

1

2

3

4

5

S T E P

S T E P

S T E P

S T E P

S T E P

Commissioning At a Glance

Essay questions

Choose one long essay question for each of your 9 books. Write / type the question at the top of the page before beginning your essay. It should be at least 1 page long and not more than 5 pages each. If you do not have access to a computer, good and clear handwriting is acceptable.

Courage

1. Devise what you believe are the necessary steps and elements for the “new construction” of a person’s life. What is necessary for “reconstruction”? Compare the two. Discuss which is harder and why.

2. From the materials studied, create a list of what you believe are the most important lessons a young man must learn. Support your opinion with Scripture references.

3. Why do men rebel? Give reasons, ways to prevent it, and steps to restoration, including principles from the Parable of the Prodigal and any other Scripture references that apply. Write your answers in essay form and provide a teaching outline to be used for speaking as well.

Sexual Integrity

1. List some sexual problems men encounter before and during marriage. Take each of the problems you listed above and illustrate, with examples, how men might fall into these problems. In your essay, try to walk in the shoes of the fallen men and empathize with their situations. Offer solutions to their “problems,” recognizing them as sin, but showing a way each can recover from his sin.

2. Explain the covenants of the Bible from a scriptural perspective, including the covenant of marriage.

3. Imagine you have been invited to speak to 500 teenagers to convince them to keep themselves pure until marriage. Prepare an outline of what you would say, using Scripture references, and emphasizing what points you would use to convince them.

Maximized Manhood

1. Based on 1 Corinthians 10, write a comparison of the Israelites coming out of Egypt and a modern man becoming “maximized.” Use specific comparisons such as the Red Sea and baptism. Include Scripture references.

2. Contrast the Kingdom of God to the Kingdom of Satan, using specific attributes such as love and lust.

3. Prepare a one-hour teaching on “How to Maximize Your Manhood.” Write the outline of it, including Scripture references.

Communication, Sex & Money

1. Many men have referred to this book as the “Sex & Money” book. Write what you’ve learned about why men would think of those two items and not communication. What is necessary for good communication? Compare the ideal with the real. Discuss why it is hard for men.

2. From the materials studied, create a list of what you believe are the most important attributes in a healthy marriage. Support your opinions with Scripture references.

3. Why do marriages fail? Give reasons, ways to prevent it, and steps to restoration, including any Scripture references that apply. Write your answers in essay form and provide a teaching outline to be used for speaking as well.

Essay questions

Choose one long essay question for each of your 9 books. Write / type the question at the top of the page before beginning your essay. It should be at least 1 page long and not more than 5 pages each. If you do not have access to a computer, good and clear handwriting is acceptable.

Strong Men In Tough Times

1. Part One: Develop a plan for stopping “Scriptural Illiteracy” in a person’s life. Part Two: Expand it into a plan for an entire church. Give Biblical Support for each stage of your plan.

2. Explain a father’s need to provide his family with intimacy, discipline, love, and value. Give a Scriptural illustration for each of the four. In what ways can drugs, cults, or gangs offer a counterfeit family to children? Support your opinions with references from the news media and Scripture.

3. Write what you believe about God, and what God has for your life. If you are married, work on it with your wife. Condense it to create a confession. Share the entire project with your children, adapting it to their age level. Teach them the confession and lead them in it daily.

Real Man

1. Chose a text from the Bible and write on the principle that “private philosophy determines public performance.” Include patterns, principles, Scripture references and modern quotes as applicable.

2. Prepare a personal written testimony on “spiritual unemployment.” Why is it essential for a man to be spiritually employed and active? Support your conclusions with Scripture.

3. Create a one-hour presentation of any kind on the principle that “Fame can come in a moment but greatness comes with longevity.” Write an outline for it. Include Scripture references and personal illustrations.

Unique Woman

1. Clarify the difference between men and women by writing a speech that could be given to young teenagers. In what ways are women to be treated differently then men? Support each point with Scripture.

2. Imagine you find a group of men who have been hidden in a bunker since a war occurred in your country around 1960. Find a way to prepare them for how women have changed since they last saw one. In what ways are the changes good? In what ways are the changes bad? Who is to blame, or to be congratulated? Give them a scriptural basis for conducting themselves around modern women.

3. What is the surest way to live a long, good life with the spouse of your youth? What is the surest way to destroy it? Write specific steps to avoid destruction and build a good marriage, using Biblical principles and quotes.

The Power of Potential

1. From the book of Genesis, write your personal reasons for why Joseph is a good role model for the modern men who are trying to achieve a dream. Include patterns and principles Joseph encountered or learned while waiting for his dream, and Scripture references. Include where applicable modern quotes from men today who have achieved dreams.

2. Write a personal testimony of where you’ve seen the Holy Spirit work in your life through the supernatural or spectacular or both. Contrast the two. Give instances from scripture of both. Draw parallels where possible between your experiences and those of Joseph.

3. Prepare a one-hour teaching on “Lessons from the Life of Joseph”. Write an outline for it. Include Scripture references.

Essay questions

Choose one long essay question for each of your 9 books. Write / type the question at the top of the page before beginning your essay. It should be at least 1 page long and not more than 5 pages each. If you do not have access to a computer, good and clear handwriting is acceptable.

Never Quit

1. Rephrase the ten steps of entering and leaving in your own words. Give an example of why each is important. Then offer ways to accomplish each step, regardless of how difficult it may be.

2. Imagine you have been invited to speak about God’s faithfulness to a group of prison inmates. What would you tell them about their situation? What hope do they have? Write an outline for a one-hour message including Scriptural references and personal experiences you may have had.

3. The path to victory can be excruciatingly painful. Create a chart that shows specific steps to victory backed up with Scripture. Then show the steps to maintain victorious living with Biblical principles.

Treasure

1. Explain this statement, “Choices determine conduct, character, and destiny.” Please use examples in the book and in the Bible to support your opinion.

2. Dr. Cole mentions there are three things successful people master. What are they and what are you doing to master those in your life.

3. Write out a personal testimony describing how you are applying the one thing Dr. Cole talks about making you a leader.

The Alpha Male

1. Emotional detachment is a survival skill for the Alpha Male. Give reasons as to why this may occur and what his mate can do to help avoid this outcome.

2. Radical generosity is an attribute of an Alpha Male. Define this term and write a personal testimony of how you are living a life of “radical generosity”.

3. If you are married, imagine you have been invited to speak to a group of newlywed women on this book. Prepare an outline including key points, personal testimonies, and scriptural references.

Lioness Arising

1. What does being a lioness mean to you?

2. What does the quote well-behaved women rarely make history mean to you? Use biblical examples.

3. What was your favorite chapter and why?

Take Your Place

1. From the chapter titled “Maturity” give some scriptural examples of fathers in the faith, explain why being mentored by a spiritual father is important, and outline the steps to take to identify your spiritual father.

2. What are some of the consequences we are experiencing in our society today as a result of fatherlessness? Describe how men taking their place as leaders and heads of families is the answer to stabilizing the family and society as a whole.

3. Explain what Dr. Cole meant when stating his messages were to men but for women. Describe some of the benefits husbands and wives gain by having a marriage mentor. Have you or will you implement this support mechanism in your marriage?

candidate questionnaire

The purpose of this questionnaire is to ensure that all candidates requesting to be commissioned areproperly qualified according to the guidelines set forth as well as

Printed Name of Candidate Date

Date of Birth Mentor

Marital Status Married Single Divorced

Phone Number Email

Have you read the nine (9) books of the PowerHouse Commissioning curriculum, completed the curriculum, exams, and essays?

Are you currently tithing faithfully for a minimum of 6 months? (Must be documented by the Church Financial Administrator)

Are you giving into the vision of the house which is Jordan Ranch for a minimum of 6 months either directly or through the President’s Club Membership? (Must be documented by the Church Financial Administrator; minimum of $20 per month)

Have you been spiritually employed for the past 6 months? Please explain what area of the church you have been serving in.

Have you accompanied a staff pastor on a ministry trip? (At your own expense; this caninclude serving at a PHC or Jordan Ranch event in a full-time capacity) Please explain.

Have you attended an Encounter God Weekend at Jordan Ranch? If Yes, When?

Have you been convicted of a crime within the past year? If “Yes”, please explain. (Sentence must have been completed for a minimum of 6 months).

candidate questionnaire

What does being commissioned mean to you?

I hereby certify that all answers in this questionnaire have been completed with honesty and integrity.

Signature of Candidate Commissioning Candidate

Have you divorced or are separated (or in the process) within the last year? If “Yes”, please explain.

Are you involved in any lawsuits, legal issues, Internal Revenue Service issues? If “Yes”, please explain.

Have you been involved in a homosexual relationship, fornication, adultery, idolatry, thievery, drunkenness, extortion, spousal or child abuse within the last 6 months? If “Yes”, please explain.

Are there any issues of unforgiveness toward anyone that has not been rectified? If “Yes”, please explain.

Do you use drugs, alcohol, or tobacco? If “Yes”, please explain.

Do you feel that you are ready to lead by example and that you are prepared to be recognized publicly as a Christian leader?!

commissioning checklist

Pick up Commissioning Packet with Letter of intent.

Attend Mentor Matchup Meeting.

Turn in Letter of Intent to your mentor or PHC staff, before beginning curriculum.

Choose 9 books from the enclosed approved curriculum.

Complete required reading, exams and essays for each book.

Tithe for minimum of 6 months.

Be spiritually employed; serve at PHC for a minimum of 6 months.

Go on a missions trip, outreach event, or serve at Jordan Ranch at least 3 full daysprior to May 1.

Attend an Encounter God Weekend at Jordan Ranch.

Turn in payment for sword, shield or dagger by May 1 to PowerHouse Church Admin staff.

Turn in curriculum (exams and essays) to your mentor.

Prepare to participate in Commissioning Ceremony in June.

Date Completed

commissioning curriculum

commissioning Letter of intent

I, , offer this instrument as a formal “Intent to Be

Commissioned”. I certify that I have met with my Mentor and have read and do fully understand all the

requirements necessary for Commissioning by PowerHouse Church.

I understand that the requirements include: reading the curriculum books, completing the exams

and essays, purchasing a sword (men), shield (women), or dagger (youth), tithing for a minimum of 6

months, being spiritually employed for 6 months, going on a mission trip (or serving at Jordan Ranch

at least 3 full days in the past 6 months), attending an Encounter God weekend at Jordan Ranch, and

not being involved in any sin or legal issues that would disqualify me from this position.

Should I fail to fully complete and comply with all set requirements, I understand that I may not be

approved for Commissioning and will be asked to requalify for a minimum 6 month period, prior to

the next set Commissioning date.

Printed Name of Candidate Commissioning Date

Date of Birth Mentor

Phone Number Email

Signature of Candidate Date