Course Description: The Leadership in Ministry Workshop at Atlanta 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 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 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.

Participants are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. Masks are not mandatory but recommended. Decisions on safety protocol can change between registration and the event. Any changes will be made via email.

Location: Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia

With: Joel Alvis, Michael Cook, Vanessa Ellison, Skip Johnson, Dan Koger, James Lamkin, and  Israel Galindo
 
Dates: March 6-8,  and November 13-15, 2023
 
Schedule: Program will start promptly at 10am on Monday and conclude the following Wednesday at 12PM. Plan to attend the entire program

Program Fee: $1000, includes 2 in person sessions (spring and fall), meals for both in person sessions, access to past and upcoming monthly webinars. $585 single session rate.

Housing: Housing is available on campus at the Harrington Center. 

Meals: Meals are included in the program free starting with Monday dinner, Tuesday breakfast and lunch, and Wednesday breakfast. Tuesday dinner will be on your own at any of the local establishments in Decatur. There will also be beverages and snacks served throughout the day. 

Limited scholarships are available. Submit your financial aid request HERE. Aid is limited to 50% the program fee and is not applicable to travel or housing expenses. Payment plans can also be arranged.
 
Sample Schedule

MONDAY 
10:00               Welcome and Introductions 
10:30-12:00     Plenary Presentation 
12:30               Lunch 
1:30-3:30         Coaching Groups, Genograms  
4:30-6:00         Coaching Groups, Genograms cont’d 

TUESDAY  
7:30               Breakfast  
9:00-10:30     Plenary Presentation 
11:00-12:30   Coaching Groups: Case studies: Church families/individuals 
12:30             Lunch  
1:30-3:30       Coaching Groups, cont’d 
3:30               Plenary Presentation 
6:00               Dinner on your own 
    
    
WEDNESDAY  
7:30               Breakfast  
9:00-10:30     Coaching Groups: Case studies, congregational or work setting
11:00-12:30   Break
12:30             Closure 
 
 
Contact: lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu
 
 

Limited scholarships 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. 

 

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.