The Journeyman
“Wandering with Jesus, together.”
The Vision
A Journeyman is a term rooted in the medieval trade guilds — someone who has moved beyond the basics of their craft into being able to practice their trade interdependently. They would move from apprentice (one who learns and absorbs) to journeyman (one who practices on their own).
To make that transition, the guild system required a season called the Wanderjahre — the wander years. After the apprenticeship ended, journeymen were sent out from their comfortable home base, tasked with working under different masters and building a brotherhood of fellow travelers called a Compagnonnage. At the end, they were required to present a masterpiece — a chief work that proved the wander had actually changed them. They were not allowed to accumulate money or status along the way. The only goal was formation.
The local church needs men like this. Not men who are simply absorbing knowledge about Jesus, but men who have moved into the harder, more costly work of practicing life with Jesus for the sake of others — in their homes, their neighborhoods, and their common work.
The Journeyman Cohort exists to form that kind of man. Over nine months, a small band of men will commit to the wander together — beginning with a wilderness retreat to build the brotherhood, moving through a rigorous curriculum of spiritual disciplines and real accountability, taking on the challenge of leading their own group or serving team, and carving out a personal silent retreat to go deep with God alone. No longer just absorbing — each man puts his faith into action through daily consistency, personal accountability, and outpouring of the gospel into the people around him.
At the end, every Journeyman produces his masterpiece: a Rule of Life and a personal ministry philosophy built from the ground up and tested in real community.
He does not claim to be a perfect master. But he is fully committed to the lifelong journey of following Christ.
If you're ready to stop absorbing and start practicing — this cohort is for you.
9 Month Overview
Sept 2026 - May 2027
1 | Lead
Lead (or continue to lead) in a significant area of ministry (team lead, apprentice, CORE leader, etc)
*Note, if you aren’t currently leading anywhere, you’ll be given an opportunity to assume one during cohort.
Be a part of the church-wide men’s ministry leadership team.
3 | Learn
This is a ~ 60-90min early morning semi-monthly meeting that will include:
learning & practicing spiritual disciplines
reading & review 1-2 books a month on different spiritual formation, leadership, and discipleship topics
accountability for consistent quiet time (the commitment is 6 days of quiet time a week)
prayer
practical challenges for the next two weeks
4 | Hospitality
Your cohort will have Dinner parties, every other month. These will rotate each house/apartment so that each person gets to learn how to host and be hospitable while engaging in meaningful dialogue (spouses and significant others are included).
5 | Serve
This will be an opportunity to serve through men’s events, and other opportunities.
6 | Discipleship
Must be meeting with a “master” (discipler) monthly with a goal to disciple someone as well by the end of the cohort.
7 | Personal Silence Retreat
Pulled from the spirit of the Wanderjahre (German), or the wander years, you will take a 24 hr minimum silent retreat focused on connecting with God and nothing else.
8 | Final Masterpiece
Formally called the Chef-d'œuvre (french), it was the chief masterpiece, designed to show the skills and craft learned and honed which was to be presented, critiqued, and honored as proof of growth. Each cohort member will craft a personal rule of life and ministry vision that has been practiced, refined, and owned during the 9 month journey.
2 | Retreat
Attend the cohort’s mens wilderness trip (Sept 16th-19th) and retreat from the busyness of life to center on Jesus, creation, and community in the wilderness.
Apply
Pray and think through the above overview and commitment
Time commitment - Quiet time, book reading up to two books a month, two cohort meetings a month, one dinner party every 2 months, wilderness trip trip (potential 1 vacation day).
*You are required to remain in a CORE group while doing this cohort.
Financial commitment ($100-200 for retreat, ~$150 for books, hospitality dinner hosting, etc)
Complete the application below.
*Please note two things when applying:
If you aren’t able to attend the wilderness trip, or at least 75% of the meetings due to schedule conflicts or affordability, you will not be accepted due to how pivotal those are to the cohort’s vision.
There is no “out” during it. So you must be committed for the entire 9 months (not moving, have margin to read, consistent quiet time etc). If you are not able to keep up with the required expectations you will not be allowed to continue.
If you are interested in applying, please fill out the application by clicking the appropriate button below:
Applications close Aug 31st.