About the Academy of Church Leadership
Being a pastor or church leader is more demanding than ever, and includes far more than spiritual leadership. Funded by the Lilly Endowment, The Academy of Church Leadership at North Park University is dedicated to equipping religious leaders with the skills needed for effective congregational growth. Programs focus on professional development in finance, management, and leadership for religious leaders.
Featured Event
The School of Business and Nonprofit Management’s The Academy of Church Leadership with Proctor Presents
A Pastor’s Reflection and Renewal Strategies for 2021
Discussion on How Pastors Are Coping with and Meeting the Challenges of COVID
March 18 and 25, 11 am–1 pm
In early 2020, The Academy of Church Leadership, like the rest of the world, pivoted from our planned workshop series due to the COVID pandemic. We decided that it might be instructive to know how pastors were coping with the pandemic and how they we changing to meet the challenge.
This year, we are one year into the pandemic and have invited pastors to share their experiences from this new place as we move into COVID year 2. The Academy of Church Leadership along with The Proctor Conference presents 2 workshops on Zoom:
On March 18 we will hear from Rev. Kathryn (Kat) Banakis, Rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Evanston, IL,
On March 25 we will hear from Rev. Dr. James Victor, Jr. who serves at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Arlington, VA and as president of the Baptist General Convention of Virginia.
Our Programs
The Academy offers academic programs, including a certificate in church administration and a joint MDiv/MBA or MNA.
50% Tuition Reduction
As part of a long-standing commitment to keep education affordable, North Park University offers funds to qualified pastors, church staff, and lay leaders, plus non-profit and alumni tuition discounts. Beginning in the Fall of 2018 students who enroll in the Graduate Certificate in Church Administration will receive a 50% Tuition Reduction for the courses in that program.
Alumni Spotlights
Isaac Chong
Isaac Chong, MDIV, began the Certificate in Church Administration program after realizing that he was underprepared for the complexities of administering a church. “I believe this program is particularly important for pastors who are running administrative, governance, or financial aspects of their church, and I wish more seminaries included these classes!”
Latonya Latimore
Latonya Latimore, a Chicago native, was looking for a program that would support the work of the youth and children’s ministry program that she and her daughter had just founded. “When doing my research for nonprofit programs, I was drawn to North Park’s ability to offer online courses and Top 10 listing for nonprofit management education.”
Mark A. Smith
Mark A. Smith came to North Park University to become a strategic leader in full-time ministry with a focus on business and finance. “My leadership competency has been strengthened, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about healthy HR practices for churches and nonprofits, strategic management, risk management, and volunteer management practices.”
Isaac Chong
Isaac Chong, MDIV, began the Certificate in Church Administration program after realizing that he was underprepared for the complexities of administering a church. “I believe this program is particularly important for pastors who are running administrative, governance, or financial aspects of their church, and I wish more seminaries included these classes!”
Latonya Latimore
Latonya Latimore, a Chicago native, was looking for a program that would support the work of the youth and children’s ministry program that she and her daughter had just founded. “When doing my research for nonprofit programs, I was drawn to North Park’s ability to offer online courses and Top 10 listing for nonprofit management education.”
Mark A. Smith
Mark A. Smith came to North Park University to become a strategic leader in full-time ministry with a focus on business and finance. “My leadership competency has been strengthened, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about healthy HR practices for churches and nonprofits, strategic management, risk management, and volunteer management practices.”
Conferences & Workshops
Professional development in finance, management, and leadership.
Contact Us
Timothy O’Brien, PhD, Program Director, The Academy of Church Leadership
Email Timothy
Rochelle Robinson-Levant, Associate Dean, School of Business and Nonprofit Management
Email Rochelle
About the Lilly Grant
Awarded to North Park to provide programming for church leaders.