Leadership in Ministry Atlanta 2024

March 4-6 and November 11-13, 2024

Course Description: Leadership in Ministry is a twice-a-year, peer based, clergy leadership development program. It is part of the Pastoral Excellence Programs of the Center for Lifelong Learning of Columbia Theological Seminary. Many participants have attended for several years, with some participating for over a decade, reaping the benefits of long-term commitment to personal and professional growth. This program’s goals are to

• Provide a peer-learning forum for clergy to explore the issues particular to their congregational contexts;

• Help participants develop a theoretical framework for interpreting practice and context using Bowen Systems Theory;

• Help clergy accurately identify and name the particular challenges of ministry in their context;

• Provide clergy with a safe and stimulating peer group experience for renewal and challenge

The Leadership in Ministry Atlanta workshops will apply Bowen Family Systems Theory as further developed by Edwin Friedman, author of Generation to Generation and A Failure of Nerve, to ministerial and organizational leadership. The majority of time is spent in peer group case studies led by experienced faculty coaches. As such, participants work to apply the theory to the “real world” realities of their ministry context.

Location: Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 S Columbia Drive, Decatur, GA 30030

With: Michael Cook, Vanessa Ellison, Israel Galindo, Skip Johnson, Dan Koger and James Lamkin

Schedule: The program will begin at 10 AM on Monday and end at noon Wednesday.

Program Fee: $875 full program fee for both spring and fall sessions. $525 single session rate.

Housing: Housing will be at Columbia Theological Seminary in the Harrington Center. Housing and meals for both sessions ranges from about $835- $550 (total of 6 nights, Sun/Mon/Tues) with an option of a queen suite, single occupancy with two twin beds or double occupancy with a roommate. All guestrooms have their own bathroom. Rates for a single session range from $515-$370. Commuter rate of $180 for both session and $90 for a single session.

Meals: Meals included start with Monday lunch and dinner, Tuesday breakfast and lunch, and Wednesday breakfast. Refreshments will be available throughout the day. Monday breakfast and Tuesday dinner will be on your own to explore the city of Decatur.

Additional Information: Limited scholarships and financial aid are available. Submit your financial aid request HERE. Aid is limited to 50% of the program fee and is not applicable to travel or housing expenses. Payment plans can also be arranged. If requesting aid, you can still complete your registration and hold your spot, select “pay by check” on the payment page. You will be able to pay by card once the aid has been applied.

Contact: lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu