IFWC Cohort
Nurturing Visions for Faith & Work Integration
Work, study, and cultivate a vision for helping others to integrate faith & work within your specific context all while surrounded by the support of peers, faculty, and mentors in the field.
This 22-month program is designed for leaders (within and beyond the church walls) who crave a theological foundation (as well as practical considerations) on what it looks like to be a faith & work equipper within their unique sphere of influence.
Candidates selected for the 2026 cohort will receive 100% scholarships to cover program-related tuition costs as well as financial stipends to offset travel and lodging expenses incurred during the program.
Who Should Apply?
Ideal cohort candidates...
- Identify a gap within their specific context (church, work, community) where Christians experience tension in aligning their faith and work
- Have an emerging vision and desire to equip others integrate faith and work within their specific sphere of influence and vocation and/or practice
- Desire theological training and a community of peers and mentors to help them cultivate a framework for executing their vision
- Have prior leadership experience to draw upon for cohort assignments and discussions
- Must be enrolled in an RTS degree or certificate program by September 1, 2026. Some alumni may be eligible for cohort participation without needing to re-enroll.
All share a common desire and willingness to explore a unique framework they hope to build that will help others close the faith and work gap within their specific context.
Participation Requirements:
- Participate in all cohort required meetings. * (See below.)
- Willingness to engage in and report on independent research to inform their concept for a faith and work initiative within their context. (Each participant will be offered up to $1,000 in funding to offset travel expenses incurred)
- Hold (6) 1:1 meetings (or calls) with assigned mentor
- Complete the 12-credit hour Faith & Work Certificate (mix of in person & online)* This will include (3) 1-credit directed studies held in conjunction with planned retreats.
- Prepare, deliver, and accept feedback on presentations throughout the cohort on the unique faith and work framework you hope to build.
(Travel & lodging expenses will be covered for those traveling from outside of Orlando)
Required Coursework:Â
- Forming Disciples for Faith & Work (2 hours)
- Christ, Culture and Contextualization (2 hours)
- Pastoral & Social Ethics (3 credits)
- (3) 1 credit independent studies held in conjunction with cohort retreats
- (2) credits of electives – may include independent research
* Former RTS students or individuals with past seminary training may be exempt from some course requirements
2026 IFWCÂ Cohort Calendar
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 18–19, 2026 | IFWC Cohort Kick Off Retreat – In Orlando (1 credit elective F&W Directed Study) |
| October 12–17, 2026 (Global option avail) |
Christ, Culture and Contextualization ORL Residential Intensive (2 credits) |
| January 11–15, 2027 | January Intensive – Forming Disciples for Faith & Work (2 credits) |
| February 5–6, 2027 (optional) |
2027 Case Study Experience & Colloquium in Orlando |
| June 4–5, 2027 | Summer Field Excursion – Virginia Beach (1 credit elective F&W Directed Study) |
| November 6, 2027 | Cohort members participate in a virtual meet up to present findings from independent research |
| February 4–5, 2028 | 2028 Case Study Experience & Colloquium in Orlando (includes cohort ministry presentations) |
| June 2–3, 2028 | Summer Field Excursion – Location TBD (1 credit elective F&W Directed Study) (cohort celebration & final presentations) |
All dates above are required unless noted.
Additional Cohort Requirements:
Total 12 credit hour requirement
- Pastoral Ethics – Recommended as ORL Intensive over three weekends in Feb/Mar/April 2027 (3 credits)
- Students unable to participate in the ORL intensives in 2027 may take the classes on Global if available or wait until 2028
- Additional electives of choosing (2 credits)
- During Fall 2027 each student will participate in individual field research to inform the vision for their faith & work initiative. They will be reimbursed up to $1,000 for qualifying travel expenses incurred
- Students completing all course work will receive a Certificate in Faith, Work, and Culture
Free eBook
from the Paideia Center
Reformed Theological Seminary exists to train men and women to see the beauty of Jesus in all of Scripture and to commend his beauty to others.
This little booklet is designed to give you a taste of the kind of Christ-honoring teaching that our faculty engages in both inside and outside the classroom.
