Why choose Leadership Fellows this year?
New to Your Church? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a strong relationship with an energized lay member of your church, eager to partner with you in dreaming and enacting a vision for your congregation’s next steps in ministry? Pastors who begin Fellows in the first year of their appointment often have the best experience in using the program and relationship-building toward a strong start in their new community.
Need an Advocate in Your Congregation? We find that lay Fellows increase their commitment to their church as a result of the Fellows experience. New knowledge and familiarity with the UMC often translate to saying yes to preaching or teaching and yes to expanded leadership roles. The Fellows experience can transform laity with potential into true ministry partners.
Established in Your Ministry? Leadership Fellows is a program with benefits for every stage of pastoral ministry. Often, it is our more seasoned pastors who are able to both contribute the most and make the best use of the material they are learning alongside their lay partner.
In Need of Renewal? These past few years have been tough. Wherever you are in ministry, consider giving yourself the gift of joining the Leadership Fellows community. Take time to be filled spiritually, to be inspired and energized for ministry, and to gain a lay partner who is equally inspired and energized to renew the ministry of your congregation.
Let’s schedule a 15-minute Zoom call to answer your questions! The application is open until September 5, so it is a great time to start talking with someone in your church who might become your lay partner in this nine-month journey.
Retreat One: Grounded in God and Self
Oct 16-18, 2023 @ Camp Rockfish
After introductions and some focused time on experiential spirituality as a critical facet of leadership, Fellows will explore their EQi results and learn effective strategies to build relationships and build connected ministry teams. Retreat Facilitators: Lisa Yebuah, Heidi Gailor, and Donna Banks.
Retreat Two: The Arc of Change
Feb 5-7, 2024 @ Camp Rockfish
Spiritual discernment and decision-making are critical to ascertain where and how the church needs to change. This retreat will outline a discernment process and equip Fellows to move their churches through appropriate and thoughtfully-considered change. Retreat Facilitators: Heidi Gailor and Erin Lane.
Retreat Three: Transforming Community
May 6-8, 2024 @ the Trinity Center
During this final retreat, Fellows explore strategies to transform conflict in churches and how to fully embrace this liminal season of church leadership to see it as a gift and an opportunity. Retreat Facilitators: Teresa Holder, Margaret Brunson, and Lisa Yebuah.