leading edge
leadership events to resource church leaders making disciples, developing leaders, growing churches
CPAS have developed a range of leadership events for those in leadership of churches. Individual days, often run as part of CMD or IME. Short courses: three or four days, one a month, to explore a particular theme in some depth (for example sustaining yourself in leadership). Learning communities exploring leadership of multi-parish benefices over two years, involving clergy and other key people from the benefice. A diocesan leadership programme: a year long leadership development process. This leaflet describes some of the days we offer. We are always keen to tailor events to the particular needs of a diocese, so the descriptions in this leaflet are simply illustrative of the range of things we can cover.
These high quality, practical days vary in format but generally include: Teaching, including tools that can be applied in a local context. Group activities (for example case studies, reflective exercises, scenario exploration). Opportunity for the sharing of ideas and experience. Space for reflection on personal context. If you would like further information on costs and availability, or on our courses, learning communities and programmes, do contact us using the details below.
CPAS, Sovereign Court One (Unit 3), Sir William Lyons Road, University of Warwick Science Park, COVENTRY, CV4 7EZ T 0300 123 0780 E info@cpas.org.uk W www.cpas.org.uk
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The shape of Christian leadership Leadership seems to be the ‘in’ topic. But how much do we allow our understanding of leadership to be shaped by business or psychological models, and how much is it shaped by the Christian heritage? This day explores leadership in relation to the Bible, the Christian tradition, ministry and the gospel. Whilst somewhat theological in its approach, the practical outworking of the day impacts just about every aspect of leadership in a church!
Missional leadership Many church leaders want to help their church(es) become more missional – but what sort of leadership might make that happen? How do leaders help churches to know mission as part of their DNA? The day explores how we understand what it means to participate in the mission of God and to be formed as leaders who retain an outward focus in all we do. It considers theological models for mission and then looks at the impact social changes have for mission in local contexts, offering space for engagement with local contexts.
Discerning direction Leadership is about going somewhere, and for those in Christian leadership it is about going God’s way, but how do we discern where God is leading a church? What is the role of vision and why is it important? This day identifies why having a clear vision is so vital, explores the role of clergy in facilitating the development of vision, and offers three practical models for discerning God’s direction.
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Vision to action Research tells us that 60-70% of vision statements are never put into action. How can a church turn vision into action and make change happen? The day explores the practical issues and potential pitfalls, including discerning priorities, setting goals, getting people on board, generating momentum and reviewing progress.
Changing culture Many in church leadership know that culture change is what is required in their context, but culture change is perhaps the most difficult leadership challenge. How do you change culture but not trash the past? How do you change culture and not impose personal preferences? How do you change culture and ensure it is lasting and not just until you leave? Combining a strong model on culture change with practical tools this day explores what is culture, what sort of culture do you currently have, and how to bring about culture change.
Communicating well Talk to any organisation or church about areas of struggle and it won’t be long until communication is mentioned. One of the many leadership responsibilities is to facilitate great communication: this is multi layered and increasingly complex in a social-media networked age! The day explores the variety of communication methods available to church leaders (from to one-to-one to one-to-many including networking, social media, printed material) and offers practical insights into how to improve our communication in each.
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Leading well with others Day one – Engaging people Christian leadership is best exercised in community. It isn’t a solo venture, but involves leading well with others, from the PCC to the Church Wardens, from leadership teams to staff, from leaders of small groups to leaders of activities. The day explores both how to engage people, and how to make sense of Anglican structures so that we can ensure we exercise leadership that encourages the growth and health of the local church.
Day two – Building teams A more focused development of this approach to leadership is a day on building teams. We recognise that while, on paper, collaborative leadership is a key model for leading in today’s church, in reality, working well with others and engendering a culture of effective teamwork within a church, which encourages and nurtures the skills and gifts of all, is not easy. The day explores how to launch a team, what makes an effective team and how to overcome the pitfalls that can arise. It also explores the role of a team leader and common dysfunctions in team life
Day three – Across the generations Gen Y (those born between 1980-2000) are among us. They are different, and many churches are finding that they don’t seem to lead in the same ways as other generations. This day explains the differences between the generations (Gen Y, Gen X, Boomers, Trads), and explores how to attract, engage and motivate Gen Y in leadership (for example paid staff such as younger youth workers or curates, as well as volunteers).
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Developing leaders Day one – Developing leaders Does leadership in a parish, benefice or team keep coming back to one person or a few ‘usual suspects’? Will it all fall apart without those few? Drawing others into leadership is a crucial area for the present and future ministry of any church – but how? The day looks at ways to identify, nurture and encourage new leaders and to work better with the people you already have in leadership roles. Day two – Growing Leaders training the trainers As part of this theme we offer a ‘training the trainers’ day for the CPAS Growing Leaders and Growing Leaders - Youth Edition courses. Both are comprehensive packs of materials that provide everything a parish or deanery needs to run a year long course to grow both emerging and existing leaders. The training day is for those thinking about running one or both of the courses, and provides practical insights into how to run a good course.
Nurture disciples Mentoring matters ‘Discipleship is the key issue facing the church today’ – so comment a number of thinkers and authors. Mentoring is one way to help nurture whole life disciplemaking disciples. This day looks at what is mentoring, what is distinctive about Christian mentoring and how it relates to other helping roles (such as coaching, spiritual direction, counselling, pastoral care and so on). It then offers a framework for a mentoring relationship, considers core skills for mentors to use and introduces how to establish a church-based mentoring network. The day in linked to the CPAS resource Mentoring Matters which is a practical take-home resource for those who want to set up mentoring networks.
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Sustaining yourself in leadership Day one – Staying fresh, staying faithful All leadership is demanding and burnout is familiar to those exercising leadership in all sorts of contexts. This days looks at a model of handling pressure, whilst exploring what drains and sustains us. Day two – Personal orderliness, handling the admin avalanche Admin is a part of life. Yet rarely does anyone talk about how to handle it. This day focuses on the practicalities of diary management, email, phones, meetings, filing, and creating a conducive working environment. Day three – Time, personal admin and working with an administrator A slightly different day with three sessions exploring three topics, offering practical insights with maximum application. People can come for all, one or two of the sessions, and are invited to bring their administrator with them if they attend the third session. Day four – ‘Do not lose heart’ Structured as a quiet day, we explore Paul’s injunction in Corinthians not to lose heart. With three period of input and lots of space for personal reflection, thinking and prayer, it provides an encouraging oasis in the midst of busy ministry lives.
Multi church leadership ‘How many churches can one person juggle?’ is a question asked by those leading in multi-parish situations. The day offers space to reflect and think theologically and practically about the leadership required for grouped churches to become truly missional in attitude and action. With practical tools and ideas, helpful case studies, and a chance to work with others who've struggled with the issues, it includes some antidotes to ‘spinning plates’.
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Making meetings matter The average church leader will have 564 meetings a year. That is 20,304 hours in 25 years, the equivalent of 846 days of their life! Does that excite you or depress you? This day will look at how we can make the most of every meeting, with practical insights into everything from the PCC to a pastoral occasion, from a supervision to a gathering of the WI. Meetings matter because meetings are ministry.
Leading from the second chair Some people will always be second chair leaders – those who serve with others in overall leadership. Others will be passing through to becoming the incumbent or some other first chair leader. Many in overall leadership will have those who lead with them. This day identifies some of the common issues for those in the second chair, explores how to work with those tensions, and offers a forum to share concerns and struggles.
Moving On This day will offer insight into the tricky subject of moving jobs. It will provide some biblical framework to the discernment process and how to make good choices. It will also look at the practicalities of making good applications and handling interviews well. ‘Moving On’ will give Godly space to think about this important subject.
Contact us to discuss what you’d like to address. T 0300 123 0780 E info@cpas.org.uk page 8