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.
[Back to top]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).
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
Participants may register in one of two ways:
If you are a pastor and would like to recommend someone for CLA, please fill out the Recommendation Form (download .pdf file)
Congregational Education Leader
Launching in 2014 -- Watch this page for more information!

".. 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
EaND Synod Office
1201 13th Ave N
Fargo, ND 58102
(Get Directions)
Phone: 701-232-3381
Toll Free: 877-895-4598
Fax: 701-232-3180
Office Hours
Mon-Thurs: 8 am - 5 pm
Fridays: 8 am - 3 pm
Sat-Sun: closed
We are a synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with 223 congregations and a variety of ministries.
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