Dates: March 21-23 and September 19-21, 2022

Course Description: The Leadership in Ministry Workshop at Lynchburg 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. Each annual workshop meets for two sessions (spring and fall). Some participants have attended for several years, with some participating for almost 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 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 groups case studies led by experienced faculty coaches. As such, participants work to apply the theory to the “real world” realities of their ministry context.

Participants are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and will be expected to wear masks while in indoor public spaces until COVID health restrictions are lifted.
 
Location: Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center, 1 Eagle Eyrie Dr, Lynchburg, VA 24503

With: Andrew Archie, Lance King, Bill Pyle, Elaine Boomer, Israel Galindo, and Carla Toenniessen

Schedule: Program will start promptly at 2PM on Monday and conclude the following Wednesday at 12PM. Plan to attend the entire program.

Program Fee: $800 for two sessions, spring and fall. Includes access to past and upcoming monthly webinars. $480 single session rate.

Housing: Housing rates are $325 for double occupancy (2 nights per session, 4 total) and $450 for single occupancy (2 nights per session, 4 total). Housing covers Monday and Tuesday nights.

Meals: Are included in housing prices. Meals included are: Monday dinner, Tuesday breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Wednesday breakfast.
 
Limited scholarships are available. Submit your financial aid request HERE. Aid is limited to program fee and is not applicable to travel or housing expenses. Payment plans can also be arranged.
 
Additional Information: Sample Schedule: 

MONDAY 

2:00-2:30 Welcome and Introductions 
2:30-4:00 Plenary Presentation 
4:00-5:30 Coaching Groups A: Genograms 
6:00 Dinner  
7:00-8:30 Coaching Groups A, Genograms cont’d 
8:30 Free time. 
 
TUESDAY 
 
7:30 Breakfast
9:00-10:30 Plenary Presentation 
11:00-12:30 Coaching Groups B: Case studies: Church families/individuals 
12:30 Lunch  
1:30-3:00 Coaching Groups B, cont’d 
3:00-6:00 Free time 
6:00 Dinner  
7:00-8:30 Coaching Groups C: Case studies, congregational or work setting 
 
WEDNESDAY 
 
7:30 Breakfast
9:00-10:30  Plenary Presentation 
11:00-12:30  Coaching Groups C cont’d: Case studies, congregational or work setting 
12:30 Closure
 

Earning CEUs for this course: If you desire to earn a certificate confirming earned CEUs in this course, please contact the Center for Lifelong Learning.

In order to qualify for CEUs in this course you must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Confirm that you have read the assigned text.
  2. Participated in the full course and all discussions.
  3. Completed any assignments, papers, and projects.
  4. Completed the course evaluation.
  5. Made a formal request for a CEU certificate.