As a pastor or ministry leader, you may often find yourself wrestling with questions like:
- “How is leadership supposed to make me more like Jesus, instead of wearing me out?“
- “What does it look like to genuinely love the people I lead, even when I have to make tough decisions?”
- “How does the gospel help me have hard conversations with grace and compassion?”
- “How can I lead others if I’m struggling with my own sin?”
Here’s the thing: many of us have had little formal training for the leadership challenges we encounter.
While books and experience have their place, they alone won’t guarantee that you’ll become the mature, Christ-like leader you aspire to be.
Because Gospel-Centered Leadership goes beyond skills and strategies. It’s about “being” rather than just “doing.”
Think about it.
What good are technical skills if you can’t stay connected to God, own up to your mistakes, or love, support, and trust your team?
To lead like Jesus, you may need a different approach.
What would it be like to
lead like Jesus?
Leadership training often borrows concepts from the secular corporate world…
Or surface-level strategies…
But Jesus offers us a different path…
…a leadership style rooted in faith.
It’s not enough to simply know the gospel; we must apply it to our calling, unique contexts, and God-given tasks as leaders.
That’s where true leadership development begins.
If we want the gospel to TRANSFORM our leadership, we need to:
Experience Spiritual Growth and Renewal
Leading like Jesus requires an ongoing encounter with Him that continually transforms not only our lives but also the way we lead others. We need to see leadership through the lens of the gospel, allowing it to shape our perspective, values, and actions.
Gain Clarity from God’s Word
To lead others well, we must gain a biblical understanding of God’s purpose for leadership and the qualities of a mature leader. And learn to use our unique gifts, passions, personality traits, and abilities in ways that are loving to others.
Become More Effective at Growing God’s Kingdom
As Christ-like leaders, we must share God’s heart for His kingdom expansion and recognize that leadership is not simply about managing tasks and people; it’s about inspiring and equipping others to engage in God’s mission of redemption and restoration.
If these goals resonate with you,
we warmly invite you to join us for…
A transformative nine-month development program designed to give you the tools and mindset to become a Christ-centered, gospel-saturated, and missionally-focused leader.
Through monthly online roundtable discussions, this course combines biblical wisdom, practical insights, and real-life experiences from seasoned ministry leaders.
A transformative nine-month development program designed to give you the tools and mindset to become a Christ-centered, gospel-saturated, and missionally-focused leader.
Through monthly online roundtable discussions, this course combines biblical wisdom, practical insights, and real-life experiences from seasoned ministry leaders.
Designed for:
Men and women who are seasoned or developing leaders in a wide range of ministry contexts.
——
Pastors | Church Staff | Parachurch Ministry Leaders | Cross-Cultural Workers
Church Planters | Lay Leaders
How It Works:
- We start with the gospel: Drawing from scripture and Jesus’ ministry approach, we will invite you to encounter Jesus in a profound way, reshaping your perspective on how the gospel influences your interactions and shapes your overall leadership style.
- Foundational principles + practical how-tos: You’ll learn about the mindset and actions of mature leaders, how to cultivate a posture of humility, and practical applications like communicating your vision, empowering others, and navigating difficult conversations.
- A safe space for you to address your struggles and aspirations: You’ll become part of a community of leaders and engage in reflective discussions, learn from one another’s real-life experiences, and build a support network that goes beyond the program’s duration.
PLUS…1:1 COACHING AVAILABLE
Looking for additional support?
You can add the option to meet 1:1 with a seasoned Serge coach to gain guidance for your specific leadership challenges and continue to grow as a leader.
What is the Time Commitment?
Your cohort will meet for monthly 2-hour roundtable discussions via video conference. For each session, there are roughly 4 hours of additional time for reading, writing, and reflection.
“As a new leader, my confidence and competence grew through the Lab’s practical content, best practices, and mentorship. Even more, its gospel-centered approach invited me to repentance, renewal, and dependence on the Lord and my team.”
Denine Blevins, Executive Director, Parakaleo
“As a new leader, my confidence and competence grew through the Lab’s practical content, best practices, and mentorship. Even more, its gospel-centered approach invited me to repentance, renewal, and dependence on the Lord and my team.”
Denine Blevins, Executive Director, Parakaleo
What’s Inside the Course?
Module 1: Foundations of Gospel-Centered Leadership
What we believe about God and how we trust Him as our Father—is more foundational to leadership than our gifts and abilities.
In module 1, you will:
- Develop a biblical perspective on the work God has called you to as a leader
- Learn to see leadership through the lens of the gospel
- Learn what a mature leader believes
- Explore best practices for developing a gospel culture
Module 2: Foundations of Leading Missionally
In a sense all Christian leadership is, or at least should be, missional.
In module 2, you will:
- Explore what it means to be missional beyond the local church context
- Learn how to invite people to have a whole-world mindset
- Cultivate a sense of awe and excitement in being part of God’s mission
- Examine the paradoxes of God’s kingdom
Module 3: Christ-Like Leadership Posture
Jesus’ posture was one of love, humility, service, and sacrifice. Not so much with us. In this module, we’ll learn to use our gifts, personality traits, and abilities in ways that are loving to other people.
In module 3, you will:
- Explore the impact of leadership posture on those you lead
- Learn how to discern Christ’s leading in your decision-making
- Learn how to surrender deeply to God’s will
- Discover the importance and challenges of servant leadership
Module 4: Leadership Style and Adaptability
Growing in awareness helps us see how our style aligns (or misaligns) with the contexts in which we’ve been called to lead.
In module 4, you will:
- Take stock of the impact of your personal leadership style
- Examine how scripture informs your understanding of your story
- Gain insights into managing stress and developing relational awareness
- Identify areas where you need to step out of your comfort zone
Module 5: Vision and Collaborative Decision-Making
Not every leader has to be a visionary. However, we must cultivate the ability to embrace, shape, and communicate vision and guide our team towards a common goal.
In module 5, you will:
- Understand the significance of a clear and compelling vision in ministry work
- Learn how to actively listen and foster collaboration
- Gain insights into how to prioritize ministry opportunities
- Develop effective communication strategies
Module 6: Empowering Others
Many leaders struggle to include others in bringing their vision to reality. But it’s crucial for us to develop the mindset and skills to bring out the best in our team.
In module 6, you will:
- Gain insights from Jesus and Paul to value those you lead
- Cultivate trust by anchoring yourself in the gospel
- Learn how to embrace the role of an equipper-in-chief and relinquish control
- Explore best practices for equipping different kinds of people in various situations
Module 7: Navigating Difficult Conversations
In our fallen world, conflict is inevitable. But we can learn to approach challenging conversations with wisdom, compassion, and grace.
In module 7, you will:
- Learn how to approach difficult conversations thoughtfully
- Explore cultivating a team culture that embraces healthy dialogue
- Learn to provide constructive feedback and promotes growth
- Find ways to embrace tension as a catalyst for growth and transformation
Module 8: Embracing Risk, Resilience, and Faith
Leading is a journey filled with inherent risks. Yet, it’s important to have the courage to take bold steps, even as we wait on God’s perfect timing.
In module 8, you will:
- Learn how to act with courage and patience
- Develop a positive, missional, and sustainable gospel-centered response to challenges
- Reflect on the entire course and integrate lessons learned
- Learn from other Serge leaders about their experiences with success, failure, resiliency, and risk-taking faith
What Others are Saying:
What Others are Saying:
“The course was a great blend of gospel foundations with leadership-oriented application... I will revisit this material in the years to come!”
“Leadership Lab gave me a safe space to wrestle through difficult questions about the reality of leading people in a broken world.”
“As a new leader, my confidence and competence grew through the Lab’s practical content, best practices and mentorship. Even more, its gospel-centered approach invited me to repentance, renewal, and dependence on the Lord and my team.”
Denine Blevins, Executive Director, Parakaleo
“The content is well thought out, and the interaction with other participants as well as seasoned leaders acting as facilitators and coaches gave me the perfect environment to grow in faith while leading.”
SIGN UP FOR:
This course will give you…
- 9 (2-Hour) LIVE cohort training sessions (over the course of 9 months) led by a trained facilitator with over 20 years of leadership experience
- Interactive group discussion with real-life leadership examples
- Solid Biblical theology as it applies to leadership
- Lifetime access to course materials to refer to them and equip others in your ministry
Your Investment:
Course
9 (2-Hour) LIVE online cohort training sessions
$650
Course + Coaching
9 (2-Hour) LIVE online cohort training sessions + 5 (1-Hour) one-on-one coaching sessions
$1000
We do not profit from any fees invested in this program. This subsidized fee enables us to keep this program running.
Choose Your Timeline:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this for?
Anyone with a leadership role in a local church or other ministry. This includes men and women who are seasoned or developing leaders in a wide range of ministry contexts, including pastors, church staff, parachurch ministry leaders, cross-cultural workers or missionaries, church planters, and lay leaders.
How does the cohort work?
Over the course of 9 months, you will meet with 6-8 participants and a seasoned leadership coach/facilitator via video conference.
The journey starts with an orientation meeting, where you will meet your fellow participants and become acquainted with the program’s structure and goals.
You will then engage in 8 modules and participate in group discussions led by the coach/facilitator. You’ll have the opportunity to reflect on module content, learn from real-life leadership experiences, and share challenges in a safe and confidential space. Occasional case studies will also be incorporated to apply the module content practically.
How does the coaching work?
If you choose the Course + Coaching package, you’ll receive 5 one-on-one coaching sessions spread throughout the 9-month duration of the program, in conjunction with your cohort meetings.
These sessions offer a unique opportunity to meet with a seasoned coach to dive deeper into your cohort study, address specific leadership struggles, explore solutions, and continue to grow.
Upon completion of the program, you will also have the option to purchase additional coaching in 5-session packs, allowing you to continue your growth journey beyond the initial program.
When do the cohorts meet?
Cohorts typically meet on weekday mornings or afternoons. When you enroll, you’ll receive several time slot options to choose from.
As our program operates on a cohort-based model, we kindly request flexibility. As people sign up, we may need to make adjustments to ensure that we have a sufficient number of participants for a robust and productive cohort experience.
How much of a time investment will I need to make?
Over the course of nine months, your cohort will meet for monthly 2-hour round table discussions via video conference.
For each session, you’ll want to budget roughly 4 hours of additional time for reading, writing, and reflection.
What if I cannot keep up with assigned reading and reflection?
Each module consists of three parts and typically requires around four hours of short reading and reflection.
If you find yourself pressed for time, we recommend focusing on two parts that are most relevant to your specific context. Our goal is to provide flexibility while ensuring you still benefit from the course material.
What if I cannot attend all the sessions?
Sometimes you can’t, and that’s okay! You will have access to the material for each module, allowing you to read it at your convenience.
But because group discussion plays a significant role in the program, we encourage you to prioritize attendance. Cohort meetings provide an opportunity to gain insights into the material and learn from real-life case studies shared by others.
We encourage you to carefully consider our timeslot options on the enrollment form and choose a time that allows you to dedicate the necessary time to invest in your leadership growth.
Will the cohort sessions be recorded?
No, in order to maintain a safe and confidential environment for all participants, module sessions will not be recorded.
We believe in creating a space where open and honest discussions can take place, allowing individuals to share their experiences, challenges, and aspirations without concern about their words being recorded or shared outside of the cohort.
Can I sign up with friends or colleagues?
We encourage you to sign up with friends for continued dialogue and support.
While we understand the desire to invite colleagues, it’s important to note that the cohort is designed to create a safe and confidential space for you to freely share personal insights and challenges. We recommend considering this aspect when deciding to invite colleagues.
What is the cost?
Your investment for the Leadership Lab course is $650 for 9 (2-Hour) LIVE cohort training sessions.
If you are looking for additional support, you can choose our Course + Coaching package. This would be $1,000 and include 9 (2-Hour) LIVE cohort training sessions and 5 (1 Hour) one-on-one coaching sessions with a seasoned coach.
When can I sign up?
We have two start times every year.
- August cohorts run from August to May. (Registration opens in June)
- January cohorts run from January to December with a summer break. (Registration opens in October)
Please join our waiting list to get notified when registration opens.
Who are the facilitators/coaches?
Leadership Lab facilitators/coaches have 20+ years of ministry leadership experience. As part of the Serge staff, they have worked in diverse and complex contexts, with a proven track record of bearing fruit in the hardest of soils—the mission field.
Their wealth of experience gives them an understanding of the realities of working in multicultural and post-Christian settings, and they are well-equipped to provide valuable insights and tools to navigate these challenges effectively.
The course material is drawn from our refined internal curriculum developed over many years to train emerging leaders within Serge. We believe that our facilitators and course material will benefit you as a leader, regardless of your specific context.
