Overview

A Learning Community

Do you care about the church in the world and want to build skills to lead Christian-inspired projects with joy and creativity?

Foundations of Christian Leadership brings together emerging leaders from a variety of faith-based organizations as colleagues in an encouraging and collaborative learning environment.

The program includes two four-day gatherings. Thanks to the generous support of the Lilly Endowment Inc., participants are only responsible for a $150 registration fee and will have the opportunity to apply for a $5,000 grant to support innovative approaches within his or her institution.

Ideal applicants are those who have been in a leadership position in a Christian institution for fewer than five years. If leaders with more than five years’ experience apply, they should be working on new projects or have an expanded scope of responsibility and be seeking ways to sustain key activities over time. Learn more about who should attend Foundations.

Program Objectives

Participants will…

• Form a learning community rooted in Christian practices
• Refine a vision of thriving communities that includes the work of Christian institutions
• Learn how to assess the context in which they are serving and appropriately plan for the future
• Hone skills in organizational leadership and theological reflection
• Explore the concepts of traditioned innovation, transformative leadership and vibrant institutions as the underpinnings of effective Christian leadership

Session One helps participants foster a positive vision regarding how our work with organizations and churches contributes to God’s plans in the world. By delving into our individual identities, this session aims to enhance our self-awareness as leaders. Through this process, we seek to build our confidence in our calling and capabilities, informing our continuous development.

In Session Two, our focus shifts toward unleashing our creative thinking capacities and cultivating a perspective that positions us as catalysts for continuity and transformation, benefiting both our institutions and the world. We anticipate that participants will emerge from this session with a renewed sense of purpose and a trusted network of ecumenical conversation partners: a community of peers essential for sustaining the work of traditioned innovation.

Both sessions are designed to equip participants with sharpened skills and newly acquired resources, spanning creative collaboration, communication, supervision, team-building and facilitation, as well as a new appreciation of the resources participants already have.

To learn more about the program and whether it's right for you, please use the menu to explore details of this program. You may also nominate a colleague.

Join us!

Foundations of Christian Leadership is offered twice a year in varying locations. Visit Dates & Locations to learn more about upcoming cohorts, Who Should Attend for participant criteria and How to Apply for more information on the application process.