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Leadership Development
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Overview
“
As a result of the Young Leaders' Program, I have gained a greater understanding of myself and my call. I have learned a great deal about the diverse dynamics of congregations and the varied styles of leadership required to be an effective minister. The community of faith that I serve has benefited from consultations with the Center. Our congregation has also felt the benefit of my experience with the Young Leaders' Program as I work to implement leadership practices that I learned from my time with the Center. I would recommend the Center both to congregations and ministers as a tremendous resource that will help to facilitate healing and growth. The Center is uniquely equipped to benefit both the congregation and the minister in matters of conflict, growth and change.”
James West, First Baptist Church Plymouth, NC
Young Leader's Program Graduate

Building confidence and improving communication – CCH offers congregational leaders ongoing and proven education opportunities aimed at enhancing personal strengths and overcoming limitations.

Congregational leaders—both clergy and laity—are now facing unprecedented challenges in regard to Christian leadership. Traditionally, clergy and lay leaders were expected to have strong pastoral and relational skills; churches now expect them to be effective leaders, change agents, conflict managers, visionaries and strategic thinkers as well. Developing strong leadership skills such as these is a life-long challenge, and it is vital for effective ministry leadership.

The Center for Congregational Health offers in-depth educational opportunities to help clergy and lay leaders develop pastoral and leadership skills. The Center helps leaders learn and grow by utilizing an organic approach that assists them in capitalizing upon their strengths while developing areas where they have limitations.

The Center offers several intensive leadership development programs and processes, as well as individual workshops that assist leaders with specific aspects of leadership development. We believe quality leadership development involves assessment, challenge and support, and our resources address each of these elements.

Our leadership development strategies address:

  • How should a leader respond constructively to conflict? 
  • What does a leader do when a church lacks energy or feels “stuck?”  
  • How does a leader develop and guide a staff in functioning as a team?
  • How can a leader practice emotionally intelligent leadership?
  • What does it mean to think and act strategically?
  • When is the right time to engage a critical issue in a congregation?
  • How do you lead a congregation to engage a critical issue in a healthy, constructive way?

Our programs extend over time and are based on proven models. For example, our Young Leaders’ Program is a nine-month process designed for clergy that includes three retreats. Emerge, our lay leadership development process, is aimed at developing effective lay leaders and follows a similar design.