Leadership Centers 2006 A Year in Review

1. Leadership Centers 2006A Year in Review A Report on a Conference-Wide Pastor and Participant Survey

2. Input from Pastors • Statistical Data • 92% of participating Associations contributed to the results • 63% of pastors reported they spent more time mentoring • 86% of EM Phase participants place high value on their mentoring experience • Pastors reported LC grads would be: • Considered as P.T. or F.T. staff members – 100% • Likely candidates as future LC facilitators – 73% • Gifted mentors for future LC participants – 69% • Had adopted new spiritual disciplines as a result of their LC experience – 77% North American Baptist Conference, 2006

3. Input from Pastors • Exploring New Ministry Opportunities – Themes • There is a great degree of intensity and focus for ministry on the part of those who have gone through the LC process • They are more deliberate about what they participate in and more thoughtful about the vision and direction of the church • Participants are zeroing in on their giftedness and being far more effective • We’ve seen emerging leaders step up to ministry more readily and eagerly North American Baptist Conference, 2006

4. Input from Pastors • Impact on the Local Church • Mentoring culture has been established • Grads joining church staff • Increased commitment to existing ministries and programming • Development of new ministries • Preparing for, or entering vocational ministry • Grads embracing leadership roles on governing boards and committees • EM Phase as pre-req for those being considered for future church leadership roles North American Baptist Conference, 2006

5. Input from Pastors • Impact on Individual Participants • “Finishing well” part of the lingua franca • Every student that has kept involved has felt the benefits • Participants are “spreading the word” to others in the church • EN leaders experiencing push/pull as they feel God’s call on their lives in areas not currently part of existing ministries and programming – a challenge for the church and the pastor • “(The LC process) is not just another program. It is a way of doing church.” North American Baptist Conference, 2006

6. Input Enriching Phase Grads • Statistical Data • A group of 20 would not produce meaningful statistical information, so the focus was on uncovering thematic insights from open-ended questions North American Baptist Conference, 2006

7. Input Enriching Phase Grads • Impact on Individual Participants – Entire LCTM Experience • God’s unique way of developing disciples individually • Value of the learning community • The “journey-nature” of the Christian experience • The servant-nature of leadership • Developing others • Spiritual authority • “Particularizing” others North American Baptist Conference, 2006

8. Input Enriching Phase Grads • What is Working Well • Working with a cohort of pastors and churches • Phase/Stage curriculum • Sr. Pastor involvement is very important • Keeping the bar high (high expectation of participants) North American Baptist Conference, 2006

9. Input Enriching Phase Grads Subject to be Studied Student Student Student Student Student Student Student Student Student Subject Matter Expert Authority Teacher Subject to be Studied Facilitator • What is Working Well • The “facilitator” model v. the “teacher” model North American Baptist Conference, 2006

10. Input Equipping Phase Grads • Statistical Data • 31% response rate in the EQ Phase • 18% of the EM Phase group transitioned to the EQ Phase • 90% of responders indicated they held leadership positions in their church • 80% felt they were called by God to serve in positions of leadership in Kingdom ministry • 97% recognized the importance of their “response patterns” • 90% clearly understood the Christian leadership equates to servanthood. • 93% believe that “team” is required to be effective in ministry • 77% felt they were empowered by their church and pastor to begin a new ministry they felt God had called them to North American Baptist Conference, 2006

11. Input Equipping Phase Grads • Age and Gender Distribution North American Baptist Conference, 2006

12. Input Equipping Phase Grads • Projects - Examples North American Baptist Conference, 2006

13. Input Emerging Phase Grads • Statistical Data • 22% response rate in the EM Phase (441 total participants) • 73% of responders indicated they held leadership positions in their church • 80% felt they were called by God to serve in positions of leadership in Kingdom ministry • 94% (highest score on the Survey) indicated the timeline/ narrative exercise was highly beneficial • 93% (second highest score on the Survey) indicated the mentoring relationship they experienced was highly beneficial North American Baptist Conference, 2006

14. Input Emerging Phase Grads • Age and Gender Distribution North American Baptist Conference, 2006

15. Input Emerging Phase Grads • Participant Preparation North American Baptist Conference, 2006

16. Concluding Comments and Observations (NAB Perspective) • Only Two “Non-Negotiable” elements of the LCTM • Faithfulness to the curriculum • Faithfulness to the process North American Baptist Conference, 2006

17. Different Approaches …Similar Outcomes (NAB Perspective) • Less Critical than Initially Thought … • The necessity for a cohort of churches • The necessity to attend events and experiences • The necessity for supplemental texts • The necessity for kick-off and graduation events • The necessity for every participating church to have a representative on the A-Team Other components of the Model may or may not be included with little effect on outcomes as long as the local Leadership Center remains faithful to the curriculum and the process. North American Baptist Conference, 2006

18. Common Themes Observed in All/Most Leadership Centers • A High Level of Commitment is Required (All Levels) • Sr. Pastor Commitment is Critical (Personal Participation is Ideal) • Transition to “In Addition to Leading, Developing Others to Lead” is a Difficult Cultural Change • Not Just Another Program – A Way of Doing Church • Cost (Several Approaches by NAB are being taken) • A-Teams – Various Structures, but Always a Critical Contribution • One Size Does Not Fit All – The LCTM May Not be Equally Effective in Every Context (Though Acknowledged as Highly Adaptable) North American Baptist Conference, 2006

19. For More Information … Ken Nemson, Leader Leadership Development North American Baptist Conference 1 South 210 Summit Avenue Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181 knemson@nabconf.org North American Baptist Conference, 2006