On September 20th the PCA Permanent Committee on Christian Education and Publications voted – unanimously – to recommend to the 2013 General Assembly that they approve the Reverend Dr. Stephen Estock of St. Louis as the 3rd Coordinator of the CE/P Committee.

Estock will be replacing Teaching Elder Charles Dunahoo, who officially stepped down at the 2012 General Assembly and is serving as the ‘Provisional Coordinator’ until December 31st of this year.  Estock will assume the provisional roll as of January 1st.

Estock has family roots in Alabama and attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee (the school famous for blueberry and chocolate chip pancake suppers cooked by faculty and staff for students during finals week!).  During college, he became active in the ministry of Young Life in the Memphis high schools.  His initial call to the ministry began to take for form during those years.

After graduation he served for 5 years as a USAF intelligence officer, stationed first at Goodfellow AFB (San Angelo, TX) and then at Norton AFB (San Bernardino, CA). He met his wife, Susan, in California (she is from the Niagara Falls, NY area) at a small PCA church in San Bernardino (Foothills PC). At that church, both of them were introduced to the Reformed Faith, and he was ordained a deacon in February 1990. He and Susan were married in September 1990, and he entered Covenant Seminary the following year. He received his MDiv in 1995.

His first ministry call was to the Covenant Church in Montgomery where he served as an Assistant and Associate Pastor until 1999 when the church called him as the Senior Pastor.  In 2002 Estock was called to be Minister of Education at Kirk of the Hills Church in St. Louis where he will continue to serve until his move to Atlanta early next year.

While at ‘The Kirk’ Estock completed a PhD in Education at the highly respected Capella University, a leader in online education (an experience that will certainly affect his new position). In his specialization, Estock focused his study on adult education theory and assessment. His dissertation was on the topic of developing a competency-based training program for ruling elders.

With a strong background in Education, it was a natural for Estock to be elected as a member of the Christian Education in 2006. He served a five year term, the final three as Chairman of the committee.  Because of this pastoral experience, his academic work, and his proven leadership skills at the local church, Presbytery and General Assembly level, he was a clear front runner when the search committee went to work to find a new coordinator.

The one point that caused some initial concern among some of the committee members involved Estock’s identification with several controversial issues in the PCA, especially his work with PPLN, a group within the PCA several years back that worked hard to bring about a settlement to a long-standing disagreement in the denomination concerning Strict Subscription to the Westminster standards.  Estock served as Executive Director of the group.

After a period of discussion with Estock and among the members of the committee, the group affirmed his conviction that the position of Coordinator involved serving the entire church – even those with different opinions on policy and practice. As Coordinator, Estock believes his call is to serve the whole denomination rather than seek to advance a particular view. This consensus resulted in a unanimous vote of the committee.

The search committee had asked each of the qualified applicants to complete an extensive questionnaire concerning their backgrounds, experience, and especially their ideas of the future of the committee.  Eight individuals completed the entire process and Estock clearly rose to the top of the group and was the only one who was interviewed by the full Permanent Committee.

With the new coordinator’s permission, we have extracted several of the questions and answers from the committee questionnaire to help our readers get a better feel from for Estock’s ideas about his future.

Q:  List three specific aspects of spiritual maturity you see needed in the Body of Christ today. How would you approach meeting that need at the local and denominational level?

I think believers today need a deeper understanding of God’s grace in sanctification (i.e., the value of the biblical indicative) (Eph 3:14-20).

Having lived and served in the “Bible belt,” I have seen the damage caused by moralistic preaching and teaching. Either the person is in despair because he/she is unable to reach the standard they believe is required for God to love and bless, or he/she is characterized by an underlying self-righteousness, leading to a lack of compassion and a tendency to judge others. In both situations, the person has effectively denied the fullness of the work of Christ, including the gospel truth that a believer’s status before God is secured by his/her union with Christ.

I think believers today need a deeper understanding of the way God graciously uses His law in sanctification (i.e., the value of the biblical imperative).

In my ministry, I have seen believers who have been freed from the chains of legalism then go to the other extreme where they deny the value and use of God’s law as a standard of righteousness. I think part of this stems from the way American Christians view salvation, which is individualistic pietism. In short, many modern Christians essentially say, “I believe in Jesus, so I can live the way I think I should live. If you say my behavior is not in line with Scripture, or if you hold me to some standard of righteousness, then you are being legalistic.” The Church must disciple believers to see that salvation by grace includes sanctification by grace, and God uses His law as the standard of righteousness to which the Holy Spirit conforms those who are saved by the life and death of Christ.

I think believers today need a deeper understanding of the fullness of God’s work of redemption (i.e., God is sanctifying the believer and using him/her to redeem every aspect of where he/she lives, works, and plays).

Too many Christians live divided lives, wherein they believe God governs their times of worship and devotion, but He has given over to them their lives of work and leisure. In practice, these believers fail to obey the command to offer themselves as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1). A mature believer examines every area of his/her life to see how God is at work in and through him/her. Christ’s work of redemption affects all of creation, culminating in a New Heaven and New Earth. Although I am amillennial in my eschatological convictions, I believe the current rule of Christ has impact in every area of life today as we wait for the consummation of His kingdom (so sometimes I may sound like a postmillennialist).

Q.       How familiar are you with the work of CEP? What do you see as its major accomplishments? What are its strengths and weaknesses, as it looks to the future?

As the former chairman of the CEP committee, I believe I am very familiar with the work of CEP, though I still have more to learn about the history of the work of the Committee.

I believe CEP’s greatest contribution has been to provide training and materials that are characterized by a high level of integrity and biblical fidelity. This is foundational to a good discipleship ministry. The most obvious work is in the area of women and children’s ministry, where the blessings of reformed and covenantal theology are clearly promoted.

I believe the greatest strength is CEP’s theological and biblical integrity, along with the way the ministry of CEP is organized to address the needs of adults (men to some extent and especially women), youth, and children. One weakness is in the area of ministry to men and more mature saints. I frequently wrestle with the tension of fostering cross-generational ministry while seeking to raise up the next generation.

Another weakness (one shared by many if not all of the GA Committees and Agencies) is the perception in the denomination that CEP is more about giving direction than about providing service. In addressing the needs of a consumerist Christian culture, we need to go beyond merely telling people how great the resources are; we need to be asking what resources are needed.

Q.  What should be the major (basic) affirmations in a philosophy of Christian Education?

Jesus Christ is the source of truth. He is the wisdom of God in human flesh; therefore, all Christian Education is grounded in the knowledge of and love for Him.

Christian Education must have a telos that includes demonstrable change in the life of the believer (i.e., knowledge furthers the believer’s growth in sanctification), causing him to look beyond himself to address the needs of others (i.e., love God and love your neighbor [Mt 22:37-39]).

A philosophy of Christian Education includes the importance of cross-generational ministry (the older generation raising up the next generation, as well as learning from them.).

Christian Education ideally occurs in a relational context wherein the believer better understands who they are in Christ as an individual called to be part of the Body of Christ.

Q.       Describe your experience in developing or continuing an ongoing Christian Education program in the local church.

Since ordination, the primary focus of my ministry has been in shaping the Christian Education program of the local church. Even when I was the senior pastor, preaching every week, I viewed the sermon as one aspect of the CE program of the church and I remained active in teaching a Sunday school class so that I was able to develop a lesson more thoroughly than what a sermon would allow.

In my current position, I primarily work with adult education (which includes Sunday school, small groups, men’s ministry, women’s ministry, and college ministry), but I also oversee the work of those who direct our children and youth education ministry. I supervise the coordinators for our women’s ministry, nursery ministry, and mother’s morning out program. Our program is designed to be staff directed, but with significant input from lay leaders who serve on ministry teams. In many ways, our ministry teams function like a board. The staff member presents issues and ideas to the team to stir conversation. The team then discussions all aspects of the program to recommend new ideas, determine if goals are reached, and provide encouragement to the full and part time staff.

Regarding the adult classes, our team has developed a grid by which we plan classes to cover topics and books that we believe are important. Every term we offer at least one class in the areas of Old Testament, New Testament, Christian doctrine, and Christian living. Annually, the team examines the classes that were offered to ensure that we are offering a “well-balanced diet” to the congregation.

Over my time at the Kirk, I have developed a program to help seminary students complete the requirements for their internship. This involves classroom instruction, case studies, and informal discussion and mentoring.

As pastoral advisor to the two school boards, I provide oversight in curriculum review and classroom instruction, but my role is limited to confirming the biblical and confessional integrity so as not to interfere with the work of the school administrators.

As Minister of Christian Education, I am almost always involved when there is an issue with a parent or child involved with our educational ministries (children’s program, nursery, or the two schools). I think I have a good understanding of the needs and concerns of the students, their families, and the paid/volunteer staff.

Q.  What are your thoughts about fundraising for CEP, and how would you go about developing a fundraising strategy? What would you see as your role as the Coordinator in fundraising?

I learned many things about fundraising in the PCA as a member of the Subcommittee on AC Funding of the Cooperative Ministries Committee. I have also learned from talking to friends who have worked in the Development Offices of Covenant Theological Seminary and Covenant College.

Personal relationships are very important, along with a continual focus on customer service (e.g., “How can we serve you?”). As a pastor, I dread “visits from Atlanta” because I believe the only reason they are visiting me is to ask for money. I hope to be someone from Atlanta who visits and says, “How can we help you?” rather than “We’re here to help.” I’m convinced that over time (with significant amounts of prayer) the relational connections will bear fruit in the funds needed to continue the ministry.

The Coordinator needs to “get out among the people.” However, traveling for traveling’s sake is not the answer. Traveling must be strategic. I believe the CEP budget should include provision for staff to attend conferences and Presbytery meetings where PCA elders (TEs and REs) are concentrated. Even if there is no invitation to speak, the CEP staff could see others and be seen as those who have a sincere desire to serve the denomination.

I believe the Coordinator must be a leader in this area, but it may also be wise to enlist the help of other people who have a passion and a creative mind for fundraising (e.g., someone with a sales or marketing background). As the Coordinator works to recruit people to place their names in nomination for the CEP committee, he should seek to find men who can help in that area (i.e., fundraising for non-profit organizations). If the Nominating Committee does not choose them for the slate, the Coordinator should still keep in touch to enlist that man’s help in his Presbytery.

Q.       The ministry is a multi-faceted work. What aspect(s) of the ministry do you enjoy the most, and why?

I most enjoy being involved with the lives of people, listening to their questions and searching together to find answers from the Word. As I think about the position of CEP Coordinator, one of the primary obstacles in being excited about the position is the reality that I will be leaving the local church and therefore not be involved in person-to-person discipleship like I am in the pastorate. My hope is that through interaction with others across the denomination, I will find ways to exercise my gifts and passion for pastoral ministry.

Q.       What aspect(s) of the ministry do you enjoy the least, and why?

Although I have administrative gifts, I get frustrated if my day is only spent writing letters and answering emails. I need interaction with people. I think I am unique in that I am a “people person” with administrative gifts, and I like to have a balance between administrative tasks and interacting with people.

Q.       A car dealership is opening in your town. You need a job, and all positions (president, office manager, sales manager, accountant, salesman, receptionist, advertising manager, telemarketer, mechanic, others) are open. If level of income were not a factor, which position(s) would you seek, and why?

I would seek the position of president. One reason I believe God is calling me away from my current position is that, as an associate pastor, I am limited in (and rightly so) in how I use my leadership gifts. I believe a successful president considers the opinions of the other workers as he sets vision and gives direction. The president is a very visible position that includes a good measure of influence. By the grace of God, I would hope to use that influence for the good of the business. One drawback of being the president is the discouragement that comes when people criticize the leadership or the work of the organization.

Q.       Which position(s) would you not seek, and why?

I would avoid the telemarketer position. I dislike making “cold calls,” because I have no relationship with the person on the other end of the line. I also have a perception that a telemarketer is trying to sell something for which the person has no perceived need.

Q.       Mention any relevant knowledge and experience you have in digital communications.

I am not an expert in computers, but I use them regularly, and am eager to learn more. My PhD was from a university (Capella University) that utilized online classes and resources, and I learned much about the world of digital communications. However, that experience was over 4 years ago (2004-2008), which many would say is ancient history in the world of digital communications. CEP must pursue this form of communication if it is to remain viable as a ministry. More and more churches are moving into this arena. In my own ministry, I have had some creative ideas, but I have yet to make them happen. Some of those ideas include a recurring email devotion sent to participants in our men’s ministry, Sunday school lesson plans digitized and available on our website, a YouTube video training program for officer nominees.

Q.       How the tools of digital technology might be used creatively to advance CEP ministries, including publications (like Equip magazine), women’s and mercy ministries (including regional and national meetings), youth and children’s leadership training meetings and fundraising?

Just about anything CEP produces in print must also be available in a digital format (e.g., pdf of Equip magazine). CEP has begun to offer the Equip articles on the CEP website, but we need to do more. The website needs to be revamped (as do the websites of almost all of the C&A’s), and the website must be the way we expect people to access the resources CEP offers. The website should be the “go-to” place for PCA pastors whenever they need resources. For example, if a pastor wants to begin an officer nominee training program, we need to have something available for him or at least a link to lead him to where he can find help. Additionally, there needs to be a person’s email address for the pastor to contact if he needs assistance. This mixture of digital convenience but with the opportunity for personal contact will foster the perception that CEP truly exists to help the local pastor rather than simply tell him what to do (even though the resources he obtains will tell him what to do).

Another area that needs development is the use of web videos for training, along with webinars. I do not have much experience in this area, but I see that this is where the world of training is going (some would say “has gone”). In the past, we have been concerned about having a quality DVD product with study guides and other training materials. The volume of the materials produced slows the process and increases the cost. I see my children produce You-Tube videos for class in which they communicate a simple point. I think CEP could tap into the talent in the PCA and create some simple training videos on a wide range of topics. By enlisting the help of a variety of PCA pastors (e.g., officer training with Joe Novenson, and Ligon Duncan, and Don Clements, and Tim Keller), we can appeal to a broader base. I was encouraged to see some of the marketing materials Great Commission Publications produced for the new “So What?” high school curriculum. I believe CEP could do something similar with other discipleship training materials.

Q.       What staff, consulting services, equipment, and financial resources might be needed to implement your vision?

I long for CEP to connect and equip the members of the PCA. In the electronic world in which we live, we will need staff capable of working with electronic media. I would want someone to design and maintain a revamped CEP website (i.e., a Webmaster), preferably someone who can design the layout. We also need people who are “connectors.” I like the idea of a director/coordinator of Women, youth, and children’s ministries.

I would also like to work toward having people throughout the denomination who are volunteers who provide input (e.g., ideas, feedback, etc.) to the CEP staff and permanent committee.

Q.  Which of your “gifts”/interests/abilities/experience/skills may seem particularly appropriate for the position of CEP Coordinator?

Gifts   My teaching and preaching gifts will be appropriate as I seek the opportunity to be the “CEP ambassador” around the PCA. I enjoy preaching and would appreciate the opportunity to preach in churches around the denomination. Though there are many who are better than I am, others have confirmed my ability to preach. The committee can hear some of my sermons on the Kirk website (http://www.thekirk.org/#/worship/online-sermons). The gifts of leadership and administration will also be helpful.

Interests       I have an interest in seeing CEP become the “go to” place for discipleship. This does not mean that we have to produce all of the materials. Rather, we would be a location that offered some resources and pointed to others – particularly through our website.

I have an interest in seeing CEP cooperate fully with the other C&A’s, particularly Covenant College and Covenant Theological Seminary. I think we have made progress in this area over the last few years, and I would like to see that expanded.

I have an interest and a passion for seeing women use their gifts in the life and ministry of the church in ways that respect the NT guidelines. Since CEP oversees the ministry of women in the church, I would enjoy the opportunity of working with a director of women’s ministries.

Abilities  Others have confirmed that I have an ability to work with people from a variety of areas within the denomination, even those with whom I disagree. I have a desire to be one who promotes peace and cooperation in the denomination without compromising our principles or doctrinal commitments.

Experience   My experience on the CEP committee, and in particular my service as chairman, will serve me well as I learn to fill the role of Coordinator. I know and am friends with the other leaders in the C&A’s and am confident that I will be able to work with them.

Skills   God has given me the skills to interact with others and truly enjoy meeting them and hearing their story. He has also given me the skills for public speaking and a slightly extroverted personality, which are important for this role

The Aquila Report will look forward to reporting on Estock’s new ministry as he moves into this important position and, we suspect, will be producing some significant changes in the future.