Academy for Leadership and Innovation

2023-2024 North Georgia Academy for Leadership & Innovation

Offered by the Office of Congregational Excellence under the leadership of
Dr. Richard Hunter, Associate Director

Goals for this academy and the participants:

to expand the pipeline of entrepreneurial and creative leaders to start and grow new faith communities across North Georgia
to train lay ministers and pastors in one or more of the NGAC Strategic Growth models: anchor church, sending church, mergers, new church & restarts, community development & discipleship, Fresh Expressions and online church campuses
all participants will complete the Path 1/ MissionInsite assessment
include a mix of laity and pastors
offer the group a progression of experiences to enable their vision for starting new places in their community to reach those beyond the local church
invite the host District Superintendent to attend and greet us when meeting in their district

The Academy registration fee is $300 per person. Participants are encouraged to request scholarship assistance from their local church and/or district for registration and the travel expenses for the Leadership Conference at Church of the Resurrection UMC (COR).

Questions? Contact richard.hunter@ngumc.net.

Schedule of Gatherings & Topics for the 2023-24 Academy

Sessions are from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

August 24 - Opening Gathering (by Zoom): “Meet & Greet, Get Connected” (9:30-11:00 a.m.)

Orientation to the Academy and discussion of schedule, logistics and workshops at the COR Leadership Conference. Dr. Hunter will cover the Academy process, gatherings, the assessment process and the 7 Strategies for Growth in the North Georgia Annual Conference. Participants will choose workshops at COR Lead based on their interests and passions around the 7 Strategies.

September 27-29 - The Leadership Institute at Church of the Resurrection UMC in Leawood, Kansas

An international conference offering creative worship, outstanding speakers and over 65 workshops: Information: leadership.sharechurch.com. The Academy registration fee will cover the Leadership Conference Registration and housing. Participants cover their travel and 3-4 meals not included in the conference schedule.

October 21 - Recovery Church Workshop led by Dr. Michael Beck, Director of Fresh Expressions United Methodist

Hosts: Pastors Thomas & Melissa Hall-Kime at Crossroads UMC, Conyers. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

November 29 - Building Leadership Teams for the 21st Century Church

Site: Peachtree City UMC. Dr. Bryan Sims, author of Leading Together; plus a panel discussion on team ministry with the pastoral team from PCUMC.

January 18 - Community Development & Discipleship

Site: Sandy Springs UMC led by Rev. Kate Floyd, host pastor and Dr. Richard Hunter
Repurposing church assets, community development, partnerships and how to revision church assets so they serve the community and help fund mission and ministry. Also, Visioning your church’s future through identifying key values and promoting a church culture that reflects those Christ-centered values.

Afternoon session: Digital Ministries and Lighthouse Congregations. Led by Rev. Blair Boyd Zant, Director of the Center for Congregational Excellence.

February 29 - A Strategic Merger Up Close.

Site: STAR UMC, Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Hosts: Rev. Dawn Wright, host pastor and speaker along with lay leaders of the church.

Afternoon session: “The Ethics of AI for the Church” Led Dr. Gerald Kane, C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Chair in Business Administration, Professor of Management Information Systems: Terry College of Business, University of Georgia & Author of The Transformation Myth & The Technology Fallacy.

March 26 - Fresh Expressions of Church: “leading the church back into the community”.

McEver Road UMC, Gainesville. Host: Rev. Tyler Jackson. Dr. Heather Jallad.

Morning session: Basics of FX, how to start, and the community ministries at McEver Road: community garden, outdoor services, Love on Tap, etc. Also include a model Prayer Walk.

Afternoon session: “Soul Care for church leaders” with Dr. Marshall Bruner, mental health therapist and ordained Elder in the North Ga Conference.

April 18 - Visit a new church start: The Table in Norcross.

Hosts: Dr. Rodrigo Cruz, District Superintendent and founding pastor of The Nett UMC campuses, and Rev. Woo Kang, planting pastor.

Afternoon session: “Stewardship & The New Economy of the Church’s Finances” led by Dr. Robert Winstead, retired Executive Pastor of Athens First UMC and professor of Church Administration at Candler School of Theology.

May 23 - Learning from a Restart Church.

Site: Liberty Hill UMC, Canton. Host & speaker: Rev. Eric Lee with lay leaders from LHUMC.

Academy Graduation luncheon (12 noon – 2 p.m.) - led by Rev. Blair Zant and Dr. Richard Hunter.

For more information, contact richard.hunter@ngumc.net

Resources

Pictured: The 2022-23 Academy prays together and for one another at their graduation in May 2023.