“Everyone leads. The key challenge of Christian leaders is for us to discern what corner of the Kingdom of God we are called to advance, and to see how our unique gifts will help lead others to achieve that advance. Everyone leads. It’s just a question of where and how.”

Brian Craig

Rev. Dr. Brian Craig
Director of Leadership Development

I’m a reluctant leader. For the first several years of my pastoral ministry, I was reticent to use that term for myself, let alone seek to be a strong leader. Poor models of leadership which overused power and undervalued people caused me to fear being part of that crowd.

But in his grace, God helped me see that all of us lead, especially when God calls us into specific tasks within the Body of Christ. The challenge for me, in fact the requirement from God, is that I discern how God has gifted me to lead, and where he is taking me, together with my community of faith. And if I do that, I will lead in a way that’s fulfilling for me, good for my community and honouring to God.

That’s what I believe the ministry of Leadership Development is about: helping Christian leaders with their desire, understanding and ability to lead. You may be a reluctant leader, too. You may be an eager one. But wherever you are along that scale, we can all grow in our grasp of how to be a leader.

Toward that end, our office wants to work with Christian leaders, nurturing and providing resources to be more effective in pursuing the corner of the Kingdom God has called us to.   

• We want to foster networks of leaders who support and encourage each other in the ministry we share.
• We want to encourage mentoring, in particular providing seasoned support for those new to ministry, or new to our family of churches.
• We want to provide resources and training to enhance your Kingdom-focused leadership in your local setting, whether you’re new to ministry or a seasoned veteran. This includes key events and personal growth plans, as well as educational and peer encouragement resources which we will be developing in the near future.
• We want to provide vocational leaders with the professional accreditation and accountability systems that promote standards of excellence among our family of churches. Alongside this, we have tools for seeking new roles in ministry and other tools which clarify the benefits and financial resources available to those employed in our churches and ministries.

Kouzes and Posner say of leadership: “Leadership is not the private reserve of a few charismatic men and women. It is a process ordinary people use when they are bringing forth the best from themselves and others. Leadership is your capacity to guide others to places they (and you) have never been before.” We want to do all we can to help you bring forth the best in yourself and others for the sake of the Reign of God.