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
Strategic Pastoral Planning Conference
The Academy of Church Leadership Summer Conference will focus on Strategic Pastoral Planning. We utilize the gifts and skills of members of our congregations who together work on planning for the long-term viability of our churches. Our conference will take place in three parts:
June 10, 2021, 11 am–1 pm
Mission, Vision, &
Planning Methods
Dr. Timothy O’Brien, PhD
Dr. O’Brien is a practitioner faculty at The School of Business and Nonprofit Management and Program Director for TACL. He will present on the value of intentionally examining the mission of our institutions, the visioning that guides us in creating the future, and the structure and method of Strategic Pastoral Planning.
July 8, 2021, 11 am–1 pm
Financial Planning
Dr. Ann Ownby Hicks, PhD
Dr. Hicks is Dean of the School of Business and Nonprofit Management. She will present on financial planning. We look beyond the necessary annual budget planning to long-term planning for operations, capital and cash flow.
August 12, 2021, 11 am–1 pm
Community Discernment & Strategic Pastoral Planning
Dr. Angela Swain, PhD
Dr. Swain is an author and consultant. She will present on the distinctiveness of church planning and engaging the congregation is practical yet prayerful ways of planning together in community.
All workshops will be presented in person at North Park University, Johnson Center, Room 314, and will be live streamed for those participants who wish to attend remotely.
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.