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
Workshop Series: Congregational Recovery and Discovery
June 30, 2022
9:00 am to 3:00 pm
The Academy of Church Leadership welcomes pastors, church staff, and lay leaders of all denominations to attend a one-day event that consists of three workshops and a panel discussion on unique ways to reconnect with church members in the midst of the pandemic.
Workshop 1: Understanding Emotional Systems in a Congregational Setting
Presenter: Rev. Peter Sjoblom
This workshop examines what has changed during the COVID era and what new anxieties have emerged, and is designed for church leaders to understand these changes and anxieties and how to lead congregations through them.
Workshop 2: Responding to Conflict
Presenter: Rev. Donald Robinson
This workshop will focus on typical responses by individuals and congregations to conflict. Each participant will complete the “Style Matters” personality assessment instrument which identifies 5 typical responses to conflict during both secure and stressful occasions.
Workshop 3: Managing Transitions in Church Settings
Presenter: Tim O’Brien, PhD
This workshop builds on the seminal work of William Bridges on Managing Transitions and provides insights for church leaders in terms of leading change and the accompanying transitions.
Cost
Free
Location
Nyvall Hall, Ohlson Lounge, North Park Theological Seminary, 3225 West Foster Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Interested in attending? Contact Helienai Rosales (hrosales@northpark.edu) or 773-244-6270.
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.