Congregational

Leadership Academy

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Congregations that are truly alive, healthy and missional are no accident.  Above all else, they have been created by the Holy Spirit and their life together is marked by spiritual practices -- prayer, Bible study and service.  They have also been guided and shaped by gifted leadership --helped to see their purpose, to pursue their mission, and to tend to their own health and vitality.

Leadership, too, is no accident.  While God blesses many with natural abilities for leading, leaders nevertheless can be strengthened by the acquisition of insights and skills.  Leadership should never simply be assumed, it should be cultivated.

The Congregational Leadership Academy will not only help in team-building, but will sharpen each team’s understanding of congregational dynamics, the role and purpose of leadership, and a vision of congregational  wholeness and health.

The goals of the Congregational Leadership Academy are that all participants (1) be revitalized for service as faithful and effective leaders, and (2) discover greater clarity about the attainment of congregational health, wholeness and mission.

Thus the Academy will help good leaders and congregations become even better.  It will foster a higher degree of mutual support and accountability within the Leadership Team.  And it will help congregations respond to whatever challenges and opportunities are ahead.

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Sowing and Growing Disciples of Jesus

What You Will Learn

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• How to understand and appreciate the congregation as a living, striving, purposeful, emotional system.
• How self-awareness and self-regulation can facilitate healthier outcomes in difficult congregational situations.
  
• How healthy congregations focus on vision, manage conflict and resistance and become life-giving for one another.
• How vital congregations find courage and hope for their mission.
  

Build Your Team

 Effective leadership is a team effort.  Around every good leader are those insightful and capable people who know how to work together to achieve the vision that they share about the mission of the congregation.  Look around you.  Who are they for you?  They are likely to be the lay leaders who are pivotal to the life of the congregation -- people who enjoy broad respect, who work for the common good and not personal agendas, and who are full of faith and commitment.  They make things happen.

The Congregational Leadership Academy is for your leadership team, consisting of the pastor(s) and 2-4 key lay leaders.  One pastor plus two lay leaders is the minimum size team for this training.  A total of five persons per team is the maximum.  Assemble your team thoughtfully and prayerfully.  

Academy Sessions & Topics

The Faculty

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 Ms. Pam Davidson: past congregational president; served on committees for personnel, transition, community service and Call; a spiritual and valued leader.

Pastor Jon Lee: over thirty years in parish ministry at King of Glory, Dallas; student of church dynamics and leadership; associated with Dr. Peter Steinke.

Ms. Kari Voight: trained through Lombard Mennonite Peace Center and seasoned by an experience in congregational conflict while serving as president.

Pastor Mae Jean Zelle: experienced in parish and interim ministry settings; trained in congregational dynamics, pastoral leadership and conflict management

Academy Program

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The Academy consists of three sessions, with readings and homework occurring between the sessions.  Each Leadership Team must attend all three sessions.

January 20-21  ~  February 10-11  ~  March 2-3

Primary Text: A Door Set Open (Peter Steinke) provided

All sessions take place at

  

Course Tuition

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Application Process

Deadline Nov. 15

1. Assemble your team being mindful of the qualities for leadership found above.
2. Secure everyone’s commitment to be present at all three events and complete the assigned readings and work.
3. Secure the Congregation Council’s approval for the team’s attendance at the Academy.  It is anticipated that the Council will provide financial support as well.
4. Collectively write two brief statements (125 words each) that address (a) why your team wishes to attend the Academy and (b) what you hope to accomplish by participating.
5. Complete the application (see below).
   
6. Applications are due by Nov. 15.
7. Space is limited; the list of those accepted into the Academy will be announced by Dec. 1.
8. Your tuition payment is due by Dec. 31.
9. The first reading assignment and materials will be sent to you no later than Jan. 1.
   
10. Make your own arrangements for overnight accommodations as we gather for our first session: January 20-21.  
    

Application Form

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The application form asks you to

1. Name each of the team members (five maximum) and their leadership role.
   
2. Give each team member's phone number and email address.
3. Explain why your team is interested in participating in this Academy (125 words).
4. Explain what you hope to gain from the Academy (125 words).
5. Identify how the $550/team tutition will be paid.

When you are ready to fill out the form, CLICK HERE.