Frequently Asked Questions
How Can My Church Benefit?
In 2000, Rev. Beth Pattillo and Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville, TN developed and implemented a unique spiritual leadership development program. The program has been such an overwhelming success that that we feel compelled to share this exciting initiative.
Our program graduates are currently serving as president of the women's fellowship, co-chair of our Habitat for Humanity build, chair of our preschool board, and co-chair of our Walk Thru Bethlehem experience.
Other graduates include a storyteller in our Children's Worship program, an active member of our new Greeting Ministry, a youth Bible study leader, a small group spiritual formation leader, and two members of our Parish Nurse Committee. In each case, church members were empowered to embrace a ministry not simply to fill the position but to serve where they were uniquely gifted to do so.
What commitment will my congregation make?
Each congregation selects two leaders and twelve participants. Leaders attend three on-line training sessions, OR, a 2½ day workshop to prepare them to guide participants through the Faith Leader program. Participants commit to an opening and closing retreat, as well as weekly 90 minute sessions and weekly homework.
How much is the cost?
To enroll as a Faith Leader congregation, the initial fee is $1,200. That includes enrolling two leaders for training. It also includes all the materials you need to conduct the program, including Participant Workbooks for your twelve participants and two complete Leader Manuals. Your congregation may also choose to fund the cost of your opening and closing retreats. In addition, a limited number of scholarships are available for churches starting Faith Leader in Fall 2006. Contact Sandy Smith at sandy@faithleader.org for more information.
Who should congregations recruit to lead the program?
Ideally, each participating congregation would appoint one staff person and one lay person to take part in Leader Training. In our experience, this combination of professional and lay leadership provides the best balance to a Faith Leader group. Professional leaders such as ministers, educators, or counselors bring their authority and expertise to the process in a way that enhances the feeling of security within the group. A trained lay leader, on the other hand, provides an important role model for the Faith Leader participants. In any case, those selected to attend the Leader Training Workshop should be spiritually mature individuals who are biblically literate and are comfortable and competent in leading small groups.
How do we select our participants?
Faith Leader is geared toward Christians at mid-life who have not reached their full leadership potential in the church. Leadership here is not defined only as administrative abilities. Through the use of spiritual gift and spiritual type inventories, the development of a Rule of Life, and the discernment of one's call to ministry, individuals develop a personal plan for ministry. Church members 35 and over are ideal Faith Leader participants. It can also be used to integrate newer members into the congregation, to develop the leadership of those who may have been in their spouse’s shadow, or to renew and focus those who feel burned out by their church leadership efforts.
Who funds Faith Leader?
Woodmont Christian Church has provided $75,000 to underwrite the launch of this ministry. Woodmont also provides in-kind donations of office space and meeting space.
How do I learn more?
For more information on how to become a Faith Leader congregation, contact:
Sandy Smith
615-370-0845
sandy@faithleader.org
