The C.S. Lewis Fellows Program is designed for believers in the Washington, DC area who already have a solid faith but want:
- to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus Christ;
- to be more credible and effective for Christ in the Church and the world;
- to actively serve Christ in their sphere of influence;
- to be equipped for evangelism, discipling, and mercy ministry.
The program offers life-changing teaching from key biblical themes in theology, spirituality and worldview, along with spiritual mentoring. Fellows can also expect to build close friendships with a group of like-minded believers in similar stages of life and career. Separate groups are provided for men and women in order to facilitate deeper engagement with the issues of life.
While the Fellows program follows an educational format with readings, lecture, discussion, and mentoring, the purpose of the program is not primarily academic. Rather, the goal is the development of committed disciples who are actively engaged in their spheres of influence, seeking to bring the truth of Christ to the everyday struggles of life in Washington, D.C.
A small group format of no more than ten Fellows and two mentors is employed for discussion and reflection on readings. A large group format, which combines multiple groups, is used for the group’s main lecture.
Two levels are available: Year One and Year Two. In each level there are groups for men and groups for women. Year One is further divided based on seasons of life (when applicant numbers allow):
- Young Professionals (approximately ages 24-34)
- Mid-Career Professionals (approximately ages 35-54)
Fellows continue in their careers while participating in this year-long program, and requirements are designed to be achievable for busy professionals. Institute staff and selected guest lecturers provide the teaching, and Institute staff and associates provide spiritual mentoring.
The program’s primary goal is to equip believers to know God more intimately, be more faithful and fruitful disciples of Jesus, and to live out their faith in daily life for the glory of God. Fellows who participate in the program for the full twelve months will grow significantly in their knowledge of God and His truth and can expect to experience substantial spiritual growth, becoming a more loving person, more effective church leader, more credible in the workplace and more focused on and effective in doing God’s will. This includes learning how to share your faith, disciple another believer, and reach out to the poor and needy
Those who complete Year One of the program are eligible to participate in Year Two, either the following year or at a later time. Year Two continues the teaching and spiritual mentoring of Year One, but at a deeper level. Continuation in Year Two of the program will also introduce the Fellow to the larger network of C.S. Lewis Fellows in the Washington area.
Program Design
Within the framework of historic orthodoxy, the Year One program seeks to nurture a discipleship of mind and heart, which integrates knowing and doing, thus the following design:
Theology & Apologetics
In the area of theology we focus on the nature of God and how He reveals Himself to us. Special attention is given to the inspiration and authority of Scripture. Apologetics provides the outlines of a biblical worldview and an understanding of key elements of contemporary culture, while also enhancing your ability to articulate and defend the faith by addressing such topics as absolutes, relativism and postmodernism. The emphasis will be upon developing a solid framework for personal and public life. We will always be looking at the practical implications of each doctrine.
Discipleship & Spirituality
In discipleship and spirituality we focus on growing to know God in a more intimate and personal way, coming to know ourselves better and living more faithful and fruitful lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. We explore the nature and experience of grace, Christ’s call to discipleship, loving God and our neighbor, and the means of grace (especially prayer and biblical meditation) which nurture us in the life of grace. The practical implications of these teachings will draw our attention to the nature of true conversion, the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, the development of a richer devotional life and finding freedom from particular sins and hindrances in our personal lives. We will also learn skills in evangelism, discipleship, and outreach to those in need
Schedule
The program roughly follows an academic calendar (September through June), but begins with an orientation meeting in the preceding June where Fellows will meet other members of their group and will be given reading assignments for July and August. Regular group meetings commence in September.
In September, Fellows will meet for a weekend retreat with their group. This will run all day Friday through lunchtime on Sunday. Thereafter, Fellows meet as a group one Saturday morning per month, 8:30-12:00 for instruction and discussion followed by lunch and fellowship. (On two of the Saturdays during the program, there will be an afternoon session lasting until 4.00pm) Fellows also meet as a group once a month for fellowship over a meal and/or viewing and discussing a movie in the curriculum. Fellows meet once a month with two other group members for prayer and accountability. And each Fellow meets privately once a month (breakfast or lunch) with one of the group’s two leaders for discussion and spiritual direction. In October, Fellows participate in an Urban Plunge in Washington, D.C. which requires an addtional weekend.
Twice a year, Fellows are invited to meet for an evening with a visiting world-class scholar/leader for an informal teaching time, followed by a time for questions, and fellowship . Spouses are welcome. These meeting are optional but strongly recommended.
Commencement is held in the spring.
Program Description
Fellows engage with selected books, readings, brief articles (combined total of about 300 pages per month); in addition, audio and video resources, and personal exercises are utilized. These are then processed in small group discussion and brief written responses. Assignments are spread out over the course of a year and have thus far proved to be achievable. Fellows will also learn how to share their testimony, how to disciple another believer, and how to reach out to those in need.
The C.S. Lewis Fellows program requires a high level of commitment. Fellows are expected to prepare for and attend all regularly scheduled meetings, including mentoring sessions.
Thematic Overview of Year One
- The Grace of God and True Conversion
- The Call to Discipleship
- Living a Life of Love
- Walking in Humility
- Growing in Prayer
- The Authority of Scripture
- Being Transformed through the Word
- Understanding Worldview & Post-modernism
- Articulating & Defending the Truth
Cost
- It costs the Institute approximately $3,200 per person to provide the Fellows program. However, in order to remove barriers to participation, we do not use a fixed tuition structure. Instead, we ask Fellows to make the Institute one of the ministries (after the church) that he or she supports on a regular basis.
- Notwithstanding the above, all Fellows are asked to cover the cost of their participation in the weekend retreat, which is about $300.
- Fellows are also expected to pay for the books and materials required for the program, which will cost about $300+ for the year. There is also a $65 fee for participation in the Urban Plunge weekend.
Several factors are considered for acceptance into the program:
- A strong desire on the part of the applicant to know and love God more deeply and to live out the gospel more faithfully.
- A strong desire to engage in ministry upon completion of the program, evidenced by a commitment and tentitive plan of action.
- A strong desire to share the gospel of Christ with others and to help them grow as his disciples.
- A reasonable expectation that the applicant will benefit from the program and become a stronger, more credible and effective disciple of Jesus Christ in his or her sphere of influence.
- The applicant's commitment to engage with the program in terms of attendance, reading, group participation, and being mentored in the spiritual life.
- A willingness to be open about one’s intellectual, spiritual, and personal life along with a desire to receive godly insight and guidance from a spiritual mentor.
- A resident of the Washington, DC area (Fairfax, Arlington, Montgomery and Prince Georges counties and the District of Columbia) who plans to remain in the area for at least five years. Priority is given to applicants from these areas; persons from other areas will be considered if space is available.
- Completion of an application, an interview with Institute staff, and two recommendations, one of which must be the applicant's pastor.
- Support of applicant's spouse, if married. (Applicant is also expected to negotiate an equitable arrangement with his or her spouse to prevent the spouse from being excessively burdened from applicant’s participation in the program.)
- Availability of space in the group; compatibility with the group is also taken into consideration.
- A positive recommendation from one’s pastor and a close friend.
- Once admitted to the program, Fellows complete a Spiritual Autobiography, Personal Spiritual Inventory, and a “Texture of My World” paper.
TO APPLY: Download the PDF application and recommendation forms. The deadline for applications is May 9, and decisions are announced by May 15. Completed applications can be submitted via e-mail at:
-- or submitted online here,
-- or submitted by standard postal mail to:
C.S. Lewis Institute
8001 Braddock Road, Suite 300
Springfield, VA 22151
The Year Two program follows the same format and schedule as Year One but uses different books and lecturers. It is designed to further develop and strengthen discipleship for the mature believer.
There are groups for men and groups for women, typically with a range of ages in the groups.
Thematic Overview of Year Two
- Going on to Maturity: A Deeper Life with God
- Preconditions of Continuous Renewal: Knowing the Holiness of God
- Preconditions of Continuous Renewal: Knowing the Depth of Our Sin
- Exploring the Seven Deadly Sins
- Primary Elements of Renewal: Justification and Sanctification
- Primary Elements of Renewal: The Indwelling Spirit and Authority in Spiritual Conflict
- Secondary Elements of Renewal: Orientation toward Mission and Dependent Prayer
- Secondary Elements of Renewal: The Community of Believers
- Secondary Elements of Renewal: Theological Integration and Disenculturation
- Summing It Up: What Have We Learned about Connecting What We Believe with How We Live?
Resources
The amount of reading is less than in Year One and several articles will also be assigned for each month. Cost of reading, audio and video materials is estimated at approximately $300.
Admission
Those who have successfully completed Year One of the Fellows Program may request admission to Year Two by sending an e-mail to the Fellows Program Coordinator.
Use this email link: Year Two Fellows Admission
