What will it take for your parish to become the vibrant Christian community you long for it to be?  To connect deeply with your neighbors and serve those in need within your parish mission field? Even in the midst of uncertainty, how might we function as the body of Christ?

The healthiest parishes are those with leaders who authentically and consistently utilize proven leadership tools rooted firmly in Orthodox principles and disciplines.  Unlike other leadership programs, the Intensive Program in Servant Leadership starts from a clear premise:  that Scripture provides the foundation for understanding true servant leadership and serves as the essential blueprint for all those practicing leadership in the Church.  

The Programs six-month intensive modules offer key principles, disciplines, and tools to clergy and laity, so that, in working together, the local church body may be more equipped to thrive in the community it serves.  Each focused module offers engaging material to prepare for the intensive half-day workshop with you and your parish leaders.  Complete the workshop with a clear path forward and check in regularly with your parish health coach to continue implementing the principles, disciplines, and tools that nurture a healthy parish. 

Contact us if you are interested in utilizing one of these modules for your parish leaders.  We are committed to serving the body of Christ with you! 

Cultivating vision and change

In the Orthodox Church, our ultimate vision is not something we get to make up on our own. It is the Gospel itself. Defined in Scripture and manifested over, and over again in the lives of the saints through the ages.

The duty of Orthodox parishes is to bring the Gospel in word and deed to those God has put before us to serve - in our neighborhoods, in the lives of those who come to our doorstep in need, and in the daily lives of every member of our church community. 
The unique mission of parish stems from clearly understanding the context in which we serve, and the gifts and resources God has provided for us to offer. Fulfilling that mission depends on the capacity of the Parish Leadership Team to lead the community in awareness and obedience to the Gospel’s command.

In this module you will:

  • Learn the core principles of Orthodox Servant Leadership, how they are applied to vision and change in the church, and the common pitfalls in applying those principles in parish leadership
  • Understand the core disciplines common to every Orthodox Servant leader and how to put those disciplines into practice in both your personal and parish life
  • Define a personal Servant Leadership Development Plan for yourself based on Orthodox servant leadership core principles and disciplines 
  • Create a clear vision and mission for your parish utilizing best-practice leadership tools rooted in Orthodox servant leadership principles and disciplines
  • Develop an implementation plan for your vision and mission based upon John Kotter’s proven change management methodology 
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​Recommended Reading

Building Effective Parish Leadership Teams 

Healthy and effective parish leadership teams are built upon a shared understanding of who it is the Gospel calls us to be as Christians, how we are commanded to work with and care for each other, and what ministry it is that we are commissioned by Scripture to fulfill in the world.
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Built upon that foundation, the mandate of the Orthodox parish leadership team is far more than to merely tolerate boring meetings limited to bills, budgets, and buildings. Rather than being a place where ideas and initiatives go to die, parish leadership teams can become environments of loving and creative collaboration, with each serving according to their station.
This session is designed to help improve the effectiveness of your parish leadership team, according to biblical principles, while inspiring new levels of careful governance and selfless cohesion.

In the module you will:
  • Learn the core principles of Orthodox Servant Leadership, how they are applied to parish leadership teams, and the common pitfalls your team may encounter
  • Understand the core disciplines common to every Orthodox servant leader and how to put those disciplines into practice in both your personal and parish life.
  • Define a personal Servant Leadership Development Plan for yourself based on Orthodox servant leadership core principles and disciplines
  • Assess the strength, consistency and effectiveness of your parish leadership team’s composition, governance, and decision-making practices
  • Develop a Parish Leadership Team Covenant to define and govern what healthy teamwork should be in your parish leadership environment  

​Recommended Reading

inspiring generosity and stewards

A true stewardship mindset stems not from our own whims and wishes to do some sort of good in the world, but from the Scriptural command laid upon us as Orthodox Christians and a recognition that nothing of what we have is actually ours. The roots of authentic Christian generosity are found in heartfelt gratitude and obedience to God.
In this session, you will be challenged to re-examine your own personal stewardship as a parish leader and Orthodox Christian. And you will be equipped to help lead your parish toward a clear understanding and application of Christian stewardship as individuals and as a parish community.

In the module you will:

  • Learn the core principles of Orthodox Servant Leadership, how they are applied to stewardship and generosity in your personal and parish life
  • Understand the core disciplines common to every Orthodox Servant leader and how to put those disciplines into practice
  • Define a personal Servant Leadership Development Plan for yourself based on Orthodox servant leadership core principles and disciplines
  • Assess your personal and parish stewardship practices and identify opportunities for growth
  • Develop a plan to inspire generosity and stewardship in your parish

​Recommended Preparation
  • Submit your Personal Stewardship Questionnaire:  ‘Stewardship’ will mean many things for many people. Take a minute to identify your own personal journey in learning about and practicing Orthodox Christian Stewardship. 
  • List some of the gifts you have been blessed with in your life
  • Write a few sentences about what you would like to learn in this session and what specific questions you may have about personal or parish stewardship

​FINANCE PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

​Imagine a parish in which money and finances evoke feelings of gratitude, rather than grief. Imagine a parish in which accounting and controls are met with commitment and responsibility rather than resistance. Imagine a parish in which budgets and balance sheets connect to an inspired Christian mission rather than to meaningless legacy budget line items.
The relationship Scripture prescribes between our parishes and our treasure is clear. Our money does not belong to us. It belongs to Christ. Our budgets do not serve one faction or another within our community. They serve the poor and the marginalized. Our financial plans and practices are not subject to our fallen, earthly motives and fears. They are subject to God’s command to share with others.
 
We can find peace in the management of our parish finances when we place it under the authority of God.
 
In this module, you will:
  • Learn the core principles of Orthodox Servant Leadership, how they are applied to parish finances, and the common pitfalls you may encounter
  • Understand the core disciplines common to every Orthodox servant leader and how to put those disciplines into practice in both your personal and parish life.
  • Define a personal Servant Leadership Development Plan for yourself based on Orthodox servant leadership core principles and disciplines
  • Learn tools for planning and managing parish finances in accordance with Orthodox Servant Leadership core principles and disciplines
  • Take the first essential steps in building a sound financial plan for your parish connected to mission and the biblical command
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