What, Where, How, Who, and Why?
What is it? The Academy for Leadership Excellence has been launched in our conference as a place of specialized learning and experience to develop spiritual leaders of excellence. The Academy's purpose is to discover, equip, and support lay and clergy leaders for missional ministry. The Academy exists to help our conference live in faithfulness and obedience to God to build "healthy congregations and effective leaders in every place making disciples of Jesus Christi for the transformation of the world."
Where is it? The Academy occurs at different locations around our conference based on the learning needs identified. The discovery and support phases of the Academy are not limited to one location and take place all over our conference. The equipping phase of the Academy that involves all the educational events to be offered will be located in various locations, suited to the targeted learners, the type, and format of the event.
How is it done? The Academy does its work by three primary avenues: (1) by creating leader development processes; (2) offering courses and workshops which equip conference leaders in the practical, real-world aspects of leadership; and (3) supporting leaders.
A leader development process has been established for the identification and assessment of potential pastors for new church plants. This process involves the identification of potential new church pastors by our conference cabinet, followed by the completion of four self-assessment instruments, as well as small group interviews. Potential new church pastors will attend regional and national church planting conference and seminars, as well as participate in a 12-month New Church Pastor's Learning Cycle.
Lay and clergy leaders are equipped through educational events based in the local-church context and providing practical, applicable leadership skills. Academy educational events activities to date include: the New Church Pastor's Learning Cycle launched in April 2007 and extending for 12 months led by national and regional church planting experts, a fall course for new church pastors and lay leaders in new churches titled "Tune-Up for New Church Pastors," a Spring 2007 leadership transitions seminar, and district-based clergy and lay leadership development events, etc.
Eleven individuals are currently involved in the coaching network to support clergy leaders. In Spring, 2007, a national expert in coaching will provide a day-long seminar on "How to Develop a Coaching Ministry."
Who is invited and involved? The Academy is a unique opportunity for lay and clergy leaders to learn together. At times a learning opportunity will target a specialized group, i.e. new church leaders, but most events will be open to all.
Why do it? ...because of the God-honoring results that can be accomplished in our personal leadership, our congregations, our conference, and our communities, when we commit to life-long learning in spiritual leadership. In the Academy we equip lay and clergy leaders to identify congregational mission, vision, and values, and to measure excellence in terms of transformation and impact on their communities. In all Academy activities we seek to attain the benchmarks of Scripture: "live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" Philippians 1:27 and "I will show you a still more excellent way" I Corinthians 12:31. Excellence in Christian ministry is a pathway of becoming, growing, and continually learning.
