THE FIRST TABLE | 2026–2027
The First Table COHORT
The Apostolic Fellows in Theology & Public Life is now finalizing The First Table Cohort | 2026–2027, a select community of 12–15 Founding Fellows. Emerging and developing Apostolic leaders may request consideration or be recommended for this intentionally curated formation experience centered on substantive dialogue at the intersection of theology, ecclesiastical leadership, ministry practice, and public life.
Founding Fellows will engage distinguished theological scholars from leading seminaries and schools of divinity alongside senior ecclesiastical practitioners with significant experience in pastoral ministry, denominational governance, theological education, organizational leadership, and public life. Together, these voices create a rigorous formation table where theological scholarship encounters the lived wisdom, institutional experience, and responsibilities of Apostolic ecclesial leadership.
A selective cohort of 10–15 Fellows will engage distinguished theological scholars from leading seminaries and schools of divinity alongside senior ecclesiastical practitioners whose leadership reflects significant experience in pastoral ministry, denominational governance, theological education, organizational leadership, and public life. These voices are intentionally brought into conversation with one another and with the Fellows, creating a rigorous formation table where theological scholarship encounters the lived wisdom, institutional experience, and responsibilities of ecclesiastical leadership.
The 21st-century Church requires us to widen our lens. Today’s congregations are navigating increasingly complex theological, cultural, generational, social, ethical, technological, and public realities. Faithful Apostolic leadership must remain deeply grounded in Scripture and the spiritual life of the Church while developing the theological depth, intellectual capacity, interpretive discipline, and leadership maturity necessary to understand and serve the people and communities entrusted to our care.
The First Table is therefore designed not simply to provide access to accomplished leaders, but to create a trusted environment for serious inquiry, substantive exchange, critical reflection, and faithful discernment. Fellows will be challenged to examine inherited assumptions, deepen theological understanding, strengthen leadership practice, and consider how Apostolic faith speaks responsibly to the realities confronting today's Church and society.
Our guiding conviction is:
Not scholar or church leader, but scholar with church leader—around one table, forming the next generation together.
Applicants should come prepared not merely to attend, but to read, reflect, question, engage, contribute, and be formed for the leadership demands of the 21st-century Church.
WHO SHOULD BE CONSIDERED?
We are seeking 12–15 Founding Fellows who demonstrate spiritual maturity, intellectual curiosity, leadership capacity, and a commitment to continued formation. The First Table is designed for Apostolic leaders prepared to engage accomplished scholars, senior ecclesiastical practitioners, and one another in substantive dialogue that strengthens ministry, leadership, and faithful public life.
FELLOWSHIP INVESTMENT & REGISTRATION
Founding Fellow Investment
Participation in The First Table Cohort | 2026–2027 represents a commitment to the full AFTPL formation experience. Applicants are not required to submit payment when applying. Fellowship investment is due only after an applicant has been selected and formally invited to join the inaugural cohort.
The Founding Fellow Investment is $995 and supports participation across the Fellowship's three-part formation journey:
Opening Convocation | September 11–12, 2026
The formation journey begins with an in-person Opening Convocation hosted at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. Fellows will gather for table fellowship, theological engagement, community formation, and the beginning of their shared journey as The First Table Cohort.
*Travel and hotel accommodations are the responsibility of each Fellow unless otherwise provided through sponsorship.
Book your group rate for Apostolic Fellows in Theology for Public Life
Event Summary:
Apostolic Fellows in Theology for Public Life
Start Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
End Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:
- AC Hotel Atlanta Buckhead at Phipps Plaza for 154.00 USD per night
- Last Day to Book: Saturday, September 05, 2026
Address: AC Hotel Atlanta Buckhead at Phipps Plaza
3600 Wieuca Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
Book your group rate for Apostolic Fellows in Theology for Public Life
Ten-Week Formation Experience | September 14–November 16, 2026
Virtual intellectual and substantive dialogues with distinguished theological scholars and senior ecclesiastical practitioners, together with cohort formation and engagement. Monday's starting September 14, 2026 | 7:30 - 9:30 PM ET | Virtual
Closing Convocation | December 4–5, 2026
The Fellowship culminates in an in-person gathering where Fellows will integrate the theological, ecclesiastical, intellectual, leadership, and public-witness dimensions of their formation. Through reflection, theological engagement, prayer, and discernment, Fellows will consider how they are being formed to lead faithfully within the Church, community, and public square while remaining deeply rooted in Apostolic faith and responsive to the leading and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Closing Convocation marks the movement from formation to faithful witness and Spirit-empowered leadership. Fellows will articulate how their learning will inform their ministry and vocational contexts, identify areas for continued theological and leadership development, and be commissioned to carry the work of The First Table beyond the cohort with spiritual confidence, theological depth, ecclesiastical responsibility, and a renewed commitment to serve the Church and the world.
Sponsor a Fellow
Churches, bishops, councils, ministries, organizations, institutions, and individual benefactors are invited to support an emerging Apostolic leader through:
Sponsor a Fellow | $995
A sponsorship may underwrite the full Founding Fellow Investment for a selected Fellow. Applicants may indicate that they intend to seek sponsorship; however, financial sponsorship does not determine selection or guarantee admission to the Fellowship.
FOR SELECTED FELLOWS
Confirming Your Fellowship
Following the discernment and selection process, accepted Fellows will receive a formal invitation with instructions for confirming participation and submitting the Founding Fellow Investment.
No Payment is Required to Apply.
The Founding Fellow Investment is requested only following selection and formal acceptance into The First Table Cohort.
Following Acceptance
Selected Fellows will receive registration, investment, hotel accommodation, and Opening Convocation instructions upon acceptance.