Newfrontiers : Creating a Culture of Leadership

Creating a Culture of Leadership

‘Whatever we do, we must create leadership cultures. We must identify emerging leaders, invest in them, and coach them into effectiveness. Then we can each experience the thrill of watching them soar. That will be leadership at its very, very best.’ – Bill Hybels

Training leaders is one of the key ways we can increase God’s kingdom in our nation. Spiritually gifted and biblically trained leaders of all levels are vital as we grow and seek to build the church and change the world. Whether elders or deacons, men or women, youth workers or lead worshippers, all are integral parts of the leadership of our church family.

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Leadership Training Foundations is a two-year course in which trainees are based in local churches and attend theological training throughout the year. The training includes lectures on doctrine and theology, followed up with written assignments as well as interactive sessions and open forums. Each trainee is assigned a mentor who will personally invest in their ministry and there is also the opportunity to attend preaching classes and discuss leadership issues with established apostles and leaders from Newfrontiers.

The main areas of focus on the course are leadership skills, theology and doctrine, and character development, aiming to equip for church planting, preaching and teaching and pastoral ministry.

Leadership Training is open to all those involved in leadership in some way in their church. For an insight into the course read these interviews with current students…

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Amy Sawyer is from Hope Church Orpington and Bromley and is currently in her first year of Leadership Training.

1. What do you do day to day?
I work full-time for Hope Church as the youth worker for young people aged between 15-18. Day to day it varies a lot! Most weeks consist of organising and working out events for youth socials, preparing Bible teaching and general administrative tasks. Individual discipleship and support is really important, so I focus on meeting up with and maintaining contact with the young people.

2. Why did you decide to do Leadership Training?
I did FP Impact training last year and gained so much from it. The elders at Hope recommended Leadership Training as part of taking on the role of youth leader, and it seemed like a great opportunity to learn more.

3. How does each block of training benefit you?
I think the benefit from each block varies depending on different topics and doctrines being covered. The level of teaching is very high and God brings revelation after revelation, which equips me to teach others so on a theological level, it's great!

4. How do you find the assignments?
I enjoy getting stuck into the assignments; they stretch you. The element of research in each assignment helps you understand what you learnt from the training block and then reveals what you still don't know!!!

5. What is the best thing and what is the most challenging aspect of the course?
I think the most challenging thing about the course is when you hear different leaders teaching on their specialist subject at such a high standard - you are immediately inspired and want to spend more time studying that subject. Then it happens with most, if not all, subject areas, and you can feel a bit overwhelmed! The best thing is probably the same thing! Though at times a little overwhelming, the teaching, discussions and opinions you are exposed to and the people you meet really do have a huge impact. I am so pleased I am able to take part.

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Richard Smith is from Woodside Church, Bedford and is currently in his first year of Leadership Training.

1. What do you do day to day?
I’m loving working at Woodside Church in Bedford, getting stuck into loads of areas that the church is involved in – including Alpha, social action and outreach on the streets! I work 9-5 at the church office with the staff team, and one week every two months I’m down in Brighton on training. It’s a privilege!

2. Why did you decide to do leadership training?
18 months ago, God began to speak to me, little by little, about His desire to take me on a journey. I’d always been keen to dig into the Bible and learn to lead, but I felt that I was about to start a new season, a journey which begins with training and ultimately leads overseas. I’m just taking the first steps, but getting solid foundations in now is the vital beginning.

3. How does each block of training benefit you?
The variety of theological content that we cover is huge. One week is never the same as the previous - but I am stretched intellectually and spiritually every single training block. Often I leave Brighton buzzing – stirred with faith, fresh knowledge of God’s character, His heart for the nations, His passion for the church – and equipped for leadership challenges ahead.

4. How do you balance the assignments and training blocks with other responsibilities?
I wish I could say that I prioritise and balance the course and other responsibilities like a pro – but it’s a lot harder than I expected! I can find time during the working day at Woodside to work on my assignments, to read, to research, but often the finished article doesn’t come together until I sit at home and thrash it out! The training blocks come as refreshment, stimulation and a change to working in the office, and so I’m very happy to prioritise them once every two months.

5. What is the best thing and what is the most challenging aspect of the course?
The best thing about the course is undoubtedly the standard of doctrinal and theological teaching. I have never had exposure to such a depth of knowledge of Scripture before! The sessions are consistently mind bending! The most challenging aspects come when we’re asked to rethink our own preconceived ideas on topics, or to debate issues that we’re still forming ideas about! There’s no sitting back and nodding off at Leadership Training it turns out!

For more information on Leadership Training Foundation visit the Newfrontiers Training website