Purpose
The purpose of the leadership academy is to equip emerging lay and clergy leaders throughout the Florida Conference to serve effectively in mission and ministry within the local church, district, conference, and communities.
Through in-depth consultations, partnerships, training and certification programs, the goal is to bring about awareness, increase spiritual and social consciousness and offer support needed to better equip the local church to strive and impact its community in positive and productive ways.
We further will lift emancipatory voices that call us collectively into accountability so that the practices and behaviors of Christianity will be shared in equitable ways for all.
Academy Structure
The following describes how the leadership structure of the academy is organized in order to operate effectively as we serve alongside the Bishop and Appointive Cabinet in the work of cultivating diverse, effective leaders, and healthy churches in the Florida Conference. The leadership structure within the Academy consists of a trinitarian model of three distinct areas functioning as one cohesive unit.
Center for Leadership Development and Certification
A major component of the Center for Leadership Development and Certification is the Leadership Cohort. It is primarily through the Leadership Cohort that current and emerging leaders are comprehensively prepared for courageous and transformational leadership in the local church, district, conference, and community.
Office of Strategic Planning and Sustainability
The Office of Strategic Planning and Sustainability is a lifeline of the institute as it provides ongoing vision casting, goal setting, measurement, and evaluation for the overall structure of the Academy. It is here – and in partnership with other directors and stakeholders – that the budget of the Academy will be developed, revised, and strategically executed.
Institute for Equity, (Re)conciliation, and Justice
The Institute for Equity, (Re)conciliation, and Justice will work closely with the Center for Leadership Development and Certification to provide learning opportunities around social justice advocacy, community engagement, and the development of historical and theological ideologies that are emancipatory, anti-racist, and inclusive.
The
LEADERSHIP COHORT
A vital component of the INSPIRE Leadership Academy is the Leadership Cohort for clergy and lay persons across the Florida Conference. We have adopted a cohort model for learning because this model promotes the building of strong relationships, friendships, and community among participants that sets the stage for deeper learning as experienced through the intentional inclusion of multiple lenses and perspectives. It is our expectation that learning within a diverse context (age, race, gender, ministry setting, clergy/lay, etc) will strengthen the experience for all.
