NEXT Church, Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, and Metro Industrial Areas Foundation have teamed up once again to offer a Certificate in Community Organizing and Congregational Leadership.
The next organizing training will be held October 21-25, 2019. Registration is now open.
The certificate program consists of a one-week intensive in-person training and a distance learning cohort. Participants may also choose just to participate in the week-long intensive training. The program is open to clergy, laypeople, community leaders, seminarians, and others interested in organizing and community engagement.
The training provides:
an introduction to the universals of community organizing through examples of their implementation in ministry and community contexts.
a theological foundation and reflection on organizing universals and public faith leadership as well as congregational development.
This training will articulate a theological vision of ministry that emphasizes leadership development and the role of the church in the current political and cultural moment to help pastors and church leaders navigate the significant cultural changes we confront in the 21st century. The organizing principles and disciplines are crucial for leaders to build the power to lead and change the culture of our institutions and communities.