The mission of the Academy is to discover, to equip, and to support lay and clergy leaders.
.TO DISCOVER LEADERS
A process has been defined to discover, identify, and assess potential new church pastors. The North Carolina Conference Cabinet will identify pastors they recognize as having the leadership gifts and graces for potentially starting new churches. The Academy will administer four self-assessments: a) Potential New Church Pastor Profile; b) Myers-Brigg Type Indicator; c) Personality / DiSC Profile; and d) Ministry gifts inventory.
Potential new church pastors will be involved in a small group assessment and interview as a part of the continuing discernment process, as well as participate in regional and national church planting conferences and seminars. The Academy will offer a New Church Pastor's Learning Cycle that is set in a 12-month cycle and based on the practical needs of planting a church: visioning, team-building, outreach, evangelism, worship, disciple-making, stewardship, creating ministry action plans, etc.
A detailed explanation of Becoming a New Church Pastor in the North Carolina Annual Conference can be accessed by selecting the link on the home page of this website.
• April and May 2007: Four assessments will be given to 16 pastors identified by the North Carolina Conference Cabinet.
• April and May 2007: Small group interviews are being held for potential new church pastors.
• A fall 2007 seminar on "How to Interview and Assess Church Planters" is being planned.
.TO EQUIP LAY AND CLERGY LEADERS
A central core of the mission of the Academy is to offer excellent educational events to lay and clergy leaders, based in the local congregation context and providing practical learning and development around key leadership issues. The methodology of Academy educational events include practical and relevant presentations; interactive, peer-based learning and dialogue; and a safe environment for asking questions and reflecting on your ministry and leadership. Academy courses, workshops, and seminars will be held at various locations in our conference based on learning needs, the format of the event, and the focus. This is a wonderful opportunity for lay and clergy leaders to learn together.
The following is a listing of our current educational events, realizing that more will be added as we further develop our spring, summer, and fall plans.
• April 2007: new and potential church pastors will participate in Basic Training "Boot Camp" for Church Planters, a 2.5 workshop led by Rev. Jim Griffith, national church planting expert. Rev. Griffith has trained over 7000 church leaders and pastors.
• April 2007 - March 2008: New church pastors will be involved in the Academy Learning Cycle. Eleven pastors have been identified to participate in Academy educational events, which include workshops, seminars, retreats, and courses.
• May 15, 2007: How to Develop a Coaching Ministry is a one-day seminar for leaders in new church starts, high impact churches, and turn around churches. Rev. Jim Griffith is founder of Griffith Coaching Network, a network of coaches committed to helping church leaders develop more fruitful ministries. He coaches 15-20 churches each year.
• May 13 and 14, 2007: Rev. Jim Griffith will be in our conference to conduct leadership consultations with leaders of our conference and congregations.
• September 2007: A "Tune-up" for New Church Leaders (lay and clergy) in new starts in their first or second years. Eight pastors and members of their new congregations will participate. This seminar will be led by Rev. Jim Griffith, a national leader in church planting.
• Providing district-based clergy and lay leader development events: (1) January 2007 "Spiritual Leadership for Laity," Rocky Mount District: (2) September 2006 and January 2007, leadership team, Raleigh District; (3) March 2007 "Looking in the Mirror: The Spirituality of Leadership," Sanford District.
.TO SUPPORT LEADERS
Currently, the Academy is providing support for new church pastors through one-on-one coaching. Coaching is a deliberate leadership development process in which focused conversations create an environment for individual growth, action, and sustained improvement. The coach and coachee meet at least 2 hours a month for 12 months. Research has documented that this learning process is a highly effective ministry and leadership development tool.
• Eleven clergy are currently involved in the coaching network facilitated by the Academy.
• Coaching manuals have been prepared for all coaches.
• The development of future coaches can be achieved by participation in the May 2007 one-day seminar, How to Develop a Coaching Ministry, and future events.
