Eastern North Dakota Synod

Discipleship

Educational Opportunities

Congregational Leadership Academy

Mission: To equip lay leaders with the newest, freshest, best practices
for using their God given gifts in service to the congregation.

The role of pastor is complex and ever-changing. In a world where faith issues are too often drowned out by competing voices, pastors are ever more vital in community leadership and they must find ways to share the demands of ministry. Adult Education and lay leadership training has evolved through the years in Eastern North Dakota. Most recently known as GIFTS and Discipleship on the Prairie, this next evolution known as The Congregational Leadership Academy (CLA) fits the growing needs of church leadership in today’s complex world. Because of a unique partnership with the Eastern North Dakota and Northwestern Minnesota Synods, along with the ELCA Churchwide expression, we are able to offer this new opportunity for training lay leaders in specific areas of ministry.

CLA training consists of five sessions (5 hours each), participation in a mentor group, and completion of assignments/readings. It takes 6 months to complete. The cost for training is $150 per participant. The congregation is encouraged to help bear the cost of the training with the participant. Scholarships are available. Anyone who wishes to audit a class/course for personal growth may enroll at anytime. Only the enrollment form and a $30 payment is required.

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2012-2013 Class Schedule:

We are fortunate to have skilled church leaders as instructors for each of the five sessions. This year, lay leaders will have the opportunity to participate in the CLA in three areas of focus: Evangelism, Worship, and Stewardship. They will be held simultaneously so multiple leaders from the same congregation can car-pool (they also parallel the Worship Focus).

The Worship Focus launched November 17 with 12 participants from the EaND and NW MN Synods. Four more Saturdays (Jan-Apr) are scheduled to continue to equip lay leaders with best practices for using their God given gifts in service to their congregation.
Beginning February 2, 2013, the Evangelism Focus and Stewardship Focus will again be offered.

Interested in more than one focus? They will be offered again in the next session.

To receive a course completion certificate, the candidate must commit to all five sessions of a selected focus. Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate and recognition at Synod Assembly.

Sessions will be offered on five Saturdays:*
9:30 am Refreshments & Fellowship
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Class session
United Lutheran Church - Grand Forks, ND

November 17, 2012
January 5, 2013
February 2, 2013
March 2, 2013
April 6, 2013

* Please note the date changes

Registration:

Participants may register in one of two ways:

Register and pay online via PayPal or credit card
Download, print, and complete the 2012-2013 Enrollment Form (download .pdf file) and mail the form along with payment to:
EaND Synod, 1201 13th Ave No, Fargo, ND 58102

If you are a pastor and would like to recommend someone for CLA, please fill out the Recommendation Form (download .pdf file)

2013-2014 Session:

Congregational Education Leader
Launching in 2014 -- Watch this page for more information!

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FAQs

Who is this for?
CLA is for lay people. Participants in CLA are active, confirmed, communing, and contributing lay members of their home congregation. CLA participants take part in study, prayer, and leadership training to be equipped with knowledge, best practices, and leadership skills to encourage congregational health, growth, and vitality.
Why would a congregation encourage participation?
First, congregations are called to strengthen each baptized child of God in discipleship. CLA equips lay people with knowledge and skills which will help others strengthen their walk of discipleship and participation in the congregation. Second, the demands of ministry are complex; the gifts of laity are needed now more than ever. The CLA equips the laity for active leadership in the life of the congregation.
Why would I invest time, money, and energy by attending?
There is a clear need for strong, active, and well equipped lay leadership in our congregations. The training, networking, and experience the CLA offers is an exciting way to enhance your effectiveness as a congregational member. The most current best practices will be shared in practical ways which will apply to your congregation and your faith whether you attend a small, medium, or large size congregation.
Does the equip me to be a paid member of a church staff?
No. While this training may lead to further educational opportunities, CLA is focused on equipping congregational members for non-stipendiary leadership.
Where are classes held?
2012-2013 focus sessions on Evangelism, Stewardship, and Worship will be held at United Lutheran Church, 324 chestnut Street, Grand Forks, ND.
Does the same congregational member attend all the focuses/tracks?
The CLA is designed to enhance specific gifts, so it is not the intention that the same person would enroll/participate in all four focuses (Evangelism, Stewardship, Education, Worship). In fact, as the CLA moves forward, some of the focuses will run simultaneously. Over an extended period of years, it is feasible that one person could participate in all four tracks, but that is not the framework under which the CLA was developed. Congregations are encouraged to see the CLA as an opportunity to engage multiple congregational members in growing their gifts. In fact, the more people enrolled from your congregation, the wider the benefit to your congregation.

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More information:

Brochure (download .pdf file)
Contact Rev. Keith Zeh, Director for Evangelical Mission

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CLA Info

Registration:

".. you are God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
1 Peter 2:9

Class Sessions

Focus 1: Evangelism
Equips lay leaders in the Biblical foundation of evangelism; in the importance of faith sharing; in the skills and art of welcoming; and in building skills to seek/encourage others to become active in the work and life of the congregation.
Focus 1 Syllabi (download .pdf file)
Focus 2: Stewardship
Equips lay leaders in the Biblical foundation of financial stewardship; in the importance of understanding why some give generously and others do not; in the skills and art of speaking openly about financial stewardship; and in building skills to seek/encourage others to become active in the work and life of the congregation.
Focus 3: Worship
Equips lay leaders in the Biblical foundation of worship: symbols, scripture, and significance of liturgy; in the importance of contextual worship; in the skills and art of preparing and participating in worship; and in building skills to seek/encourage others to become active in the work and life of the congregation.