Purpose: RW Shepherd training is designed to equip pastors and other church leaders with gospel-based relational wisdom, peacemaking and conciliation skills they can use to strengthen relationships, resolve conflict and promote peace in their own homes and within the families and flocks God has entrusted to their care.

Cost: $295 | Study: 18 hours | Application: 4 hours | Total Time: 22 hours

Prerequisite: Complete Discovering Relational Wisdom course, either online through the RW Academy or by leading group study, which is available through the RW360 Bookstore.

Training Requirements: Read and summarize two relevant books, complete two online lessons (The Relational Shepherd and Introduction to Christian Conciliation), apply principles to hypothetical and real life case studies, and participate in an online discussion group that reviews key case studies. 

Simultaneous RW Instructor Certificate: You may simultaneously earn an RW Instructor Certificate (with no additional application fee) while completing the RW Shepherd Certificate requirements.

For more details, see the RW360 Academic Catalog

To register, go to RW Academy.

Purpose: Individuals who demonstrate substantial skill and experience as an RW Shepherd may apply for advanced training that will enhance their ability to build a relational culture in their church by modeling, teaching and assisting others in practicing RW and peacemaking in challenging life situations (1 Tim. 4:15).

Advanced RW Shepherds are also trained to use RW360’s values-based resources for community outreach, evangelism and church growth (see Using RW for Witnessing and Evangelism).

Cost: $295 | Study: 22 hours | Application: 4 hours | Total Time: 26 hours

Prerequisites: Complete RW Shepherd Training.

Training Requirements: Read and summarize two relevant books, complete two online lessons (Building a Relational Culture and Using RW for Outreach, Evangelism and Church Growth), apply principles to hypothetical and real life case studies, and participate in an online discussion group that reviews key case studies. 

Simultaneous Advanced RW Instructor Certificate: You may simultaneously earn an Advanced RW Instructor Certificate (with no additional application fee) while completing the Advanced RW Shepherd Certificate requirements.

Iron Sharpening Iron: Individuals who complete this training will be invited to participate in quarterly online discussions of insights, best practices and real-life case studies for RW Shepherds.

For more details, see the RW360 Academic Catalog

To register, go to RW Academy.

Exodus 18:22-23 and Deuteronomy 1:9-18 show that Moses was wise enough to realize that he could not resolve all of the relational tensions and conflicts that arose among the people God placed under his care. The same is true of shepherds today: they too need to “select wise, understanding and experienced” men and women to assist them in shepherding the flock.

One way to do this is to establish a “Peace Sower Team” that includes volunteer RW Instructors, Coaches and Conciliators who are equipped to teach and assist church members to apply relational wisdom and biblical peacemaking in their personal, church and work lives. For more information, see Peace Sower Teams.