theFormation
Cohort
2027
A year in the Word, in doctrine, and in the heart
A reading-and-discussion cohort for members of Vertical who want to go deeper in the story of God, the Word of God, the doctrine of the church, and the formation of the heart.
Why a cohort
Not a class. A cohort.
The Formation Cohort is a fixed group of people who read the same material, show up prepared, speak honestly, and pray for one another for a full year. It is led by Pastor Ben Hacker and sits at the center of Vertical's discipleship pathway: all of us making all of life all about Jesus Christ.
The year moves from frame, to tools, to content, to the heart.
What we'll study
Four movements across one year.
Jan.–Feb.
True Story + Our Story
The Bible as one story in six acts, and your story told inside it.
The True Story of the Whole World and Saturate's How to Share Your Story
March
Hermeneutics
Reading any passage faithfully, in a Friday-evening and Saturday-morning training led by WordPartners.
WordPartners' Dig & Discover principles
April–June
Doctrine
The core teachings of the Christian faith, cover to cover, under the teaching of Vertical's elders.
Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrine
Aug.–Nov.
Spiritual Formation
Opens with the Journey Home Retreat in August and ends with a personal rule of life.
Emotions Unveiled, The Relational Soul, Sacred Rhythms, and David Benner's Spiritual Journey trilogy
The rhythm
One Saturday a month.
Every gathering mixes teaching, discussion, and practice. The pre-work is what makes the room work.
2027 at a glance
The calendar.
| January | Sat., Jan. 9 | True Story: Acts 1–3 |
| February | Sat., Feb. 13 | True Story: Acts 4–6, and Our Story |
| March | March 12–13 | WordPartners training Fri. evening + Sat. morning |
| April | Sat., April 10 | Doctrine: God and his Word |
| May | Sat., May 8 | Doctrine: humanity, Christ, and salvation |
| June | Sat., June 12 | Doctrine: the church and the future |
| July | Sat., July 10 | Mid-Year Celebration |
| August | Aug. 12–14 | Journey Home Retreat Eden Project |
| September | Sat., Sept. 11 | Formation: Made for Connection |
| October | Sat., Oct. 9 | Formation: The Voice of the Heart |
| November | Sat., Nov. 13 | Formation: Sacred Rhythms |
| December | Sat., Dec. 11 | End-of-Cohort Party |
Training and retreat times will be confirmed in the cohort Slack channel.
The reading list
What's on the table.
Every book is included in tuition and handed to you before the unit begins.
True Story
- The True Story of the Whole WorldMichael Goheen and Craig Bartholomew
- How to Share Your StoryAbe Meysenburg, Saturate
Hermeneutics
- Dig & Discover PrinciplesWordPartners
- Dig & Discover Quick Reference GuideWordPartners
Doctrine
- Bible Doctrine, 2nd ed.Wayne Grudem
Spiritual Formation
- Emotions UnveiledJeff Schulte and Phil Herndon
- The Relational SoulRichard Plass and James Cofield
- Sacred RhythmsRuth Haley Barton
- Surrender to Love, The Gift of Being Yourself, and Desiring God's WillDavid G. Benner
August
The Journey Home Retreat.
Spiritual Formation opens with a few days away together, led by the Eden Project. Fixed triads, no screens, and room to hear from God. It is part of the cohort, not an extra.
Aug. 12–14, 2027. Location to be announced.
Is this for you?
What we ask of you.
The cohort works because everyone in it shows up prepared and stays in the room. Before you apply, count the cost.
Presence
Every gathering. Miss no more than two across the year, and never two in a row.
Preparation
Two to three hours of pre-work each week, finished before we gather.
Participation
Speak honestly, listen generously, and keep what is shared in the room.
The events
The WordPartners training in March and the Journey Home Retreat in August.
Membership
For members of Vertical and those actively moving toward membership.
Application
Everyone applies. Participants are confirmed Dec. 1.
Tuition
- Every book on the reading list
- Printed materials for each unit
- Breakfast at every Saturday gathering
Key dates
| Nov. 1 | Registration opens |
| Nov. 30 | Registration closes |
| Dec. 1 | Participants confirmed; January pre-work sent |
| Jan. 9 | First gathering, 8:30 AM |
"Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."Colossians 1:28–29, ESV
Questions
Frequently asked.
Who should apply?
Members of Vertical, and those actively moving toward membership, who want to go deeper and can commit to a full year. Membership is given substantial weight in the application.
How much time does it take?
One Saturday morning a month, 8:30 AM to noon, plus two to three hours of reading and reflection each week. March runs Friday evening into Saturday morning, and August is the Journey Home Retreat.
What does tuition cover?
Every book on the reading list, printed materials, and breakfast at each Saturday gathering.
What if I have to miss a gathering?
Life happens. You can miss up to two gatherings across the year, but never two in a row. Let Pastor Ben know ahead of time.
What happens after the cohort?
By November you will have told the whole story of Scripture, written your own confession of faith, and drafted a rule of life for 2028. Those who finish are ready for the next step in Vertical's pathway: leading a life group, serving as a minister of the gospel, or the Lead Year.
Registration open Nov. 1–30
Apply for the Formation Cohort.
Applications close Nov. 30, 2026. Participants are confirmed Dec. 1, and the January pre-work goes out the same day.
Start your applicationQuestions? Pastor Ben Hacker · ben@verticalstpaul.org