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 six sessions (6 hours each), participation in a mentor group, and completion of assignments/readings. It takes 9 months to complete. The cost for training is $325 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 $50 payment is required.

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Class Schedules:

Focus 2: Stewardship

The second focus for the Congregational Leadership Academy will strengthen gifts in Stewardship. It launches launches February 4, 2012. While stewardship encompasses all aspects of our lives, our focus is on financial stewardship. This focus session will equip lay leaders in:

the theology of financial stewardship
the importance of understanding why some give generously and others do not
the skills and art of speaking openly about financial stewardship
building skills to seek/encourage others to become active in the work and life of the congregation

Sessions

We are fortunate to have skilled church leaders as instructors for each of the six sessions in the Congregational Stewardship Leader focus. To receive a course completion certificate, the candidate must commit to all six sessions/focuses.

* Please note the date changes *

The Biblical Story and Stewardship - February 4, 2012
The Cultural Story and Stewardship - March 3, 2012
The Congregational Story & Stewardship - March 31, 2012
The Art of Weaving the Biblical, Cultural, and Congregational Story Together - April 14, 2012
The Art of Asking and Believing - May 19, 2012
The Art of Developing Key Stewardship Competencies in the Congregation - June 9, 2012

Focus 2 Downloads:

Enrollment Form and Brochure (download .pdf file)
Core Assignments & Syllabus (coming soon)

If you are a pastor and would like to recommend someone for CLA, please fill out the Focus 2 Recommendation Form (download .pdf file).

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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?
We are proud to have the participation of one of our ELCA church colleges; all classes will be held at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN.
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

".. 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
Concluded February 4, 2012.
This focus equipped lay leaders in the theology of evangelism, the importance of faith sharing, the skills and art of welcoming, and building skills to seek/encourage others to become active in the work and life of the congregation
Focus 2: Stewardship
Begins February 4, 2012

Assignments & Syllabi: