Leadership Fundamentals for Ministry
Every ministry leader, whether you’re a seasoned pastor or a volunteer leading a small group, has encountered moments where they felt stretched thin. Perhaps you’ve wrestled with how to navigate a conflict with a staff member or volunteer. Maybe you’ve struggled to make decisions with clarity and confidence, or you’ve wondered how to rebuild trust in a congregation that has experienced division.
These aren’t just practical problems; they’re spiritual ones too. As leaders in the church, we’re called to model Christ’s example—to lead with humility, grace, and truth. But without intentional development, these qualities can be hard to sustain in the face of daily pressures.
And because at Ministry Forum we believe no ministry leader should have to navigate these challenges alone - we’ve partnered with experts in leadership development to host a 5 week series on the Fundamentals of Leadership for Ministry Leaders. Through this series you’ll gain practical tools and encouragement to lead with authenticity and clarity.
Who Should Participate?
This program is designed for a wide range of ministry leaders, including:
Clergy seeking to refine their leadership style and address challenges with fresh perspectives.
Church staff who want to build stronger relationships and contribute to a healthy organizational culture.
Elders and board members navigating their unique roles in governance and vision-setting.
Volunteer leaders desiring to lead with greater clarity and confidence.
Whether you’re stepping into leadership for the first time or you’ve been serving for decades, this series is tailored to meet you where you are and help you take the next step in your leadership journey.
What to Expect
Each week, we’ll gather for 75 minutes via Zoom to explore a key aspect of ministry leadership. These sessions are interactive, combining teaching, group discussion, and peer coaching. You’ll leave each session with tools you can apply immediately in your ministry context. Modules include:
Building Trust
Trust is foundational to every healthy relationship, yet it’s often taken for granted until it’s broken. This module will help you understand the behaviors that build or erode trust and give you practical habits to cultivate trust in your teams, volunteers, and congregation.
Bold Conversations
Avoiding difficult conversations can lead to greater harm in the long run. Learn how to approach sensitive topics with clarity, empathy, and courage. This module includes a step-by-step template for preparing and executing bold conversations that foster growth and mutual respect.
Hiring, Firing, and Performance Management
Managing staff and volunteers well is one of the most complex aspects of ministry leadership. This session will equip you with best practices for hiring the right people, providing meaningful feedback, and navigating transitions with grace and integrity.
Executive Presence
Your presence as a leader matters. In this module, we’ll explore the CAPE™ model—Communication, Actions, Polished Presence, and Emotional Intelligence—and discover how these elements can enhance your effectiveness and help you inspire trust and confidence.
Navigating Toxic Cultures and Leaders
Toxicity in any form—whether in a leader, team, or congregation—can sap the vitality of a ministry. Learn to recognize the signs of toxicity and gain strategies for addressing it constructively while protecting your own well-being.
Meet the Facilitators
Doreen Harvey began her practice as an independent Human Resources Consultant over 20 years ago following her role as VP of HR at Sanyo Canada and senior leadership roles at Nortel Networks. She is passionate about helping leaders engage their people and align their HR strategy to their business strategy, building a culture that motivates. Clients include churches, small to mid-sized enterprises, in various industries, as well as social profit organizations. Doreen holds an MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University and an HBA from The Ivey School of Business. She is certified in EQ-i/EQ360 (Emotional Intelligence) and is a member of the Strategic Capability Network.
Marla Konrad is a leadership coach and consultant, who draws on years of experience as an executive, and combines this with powerful communications and coaching skills to develop leaders at all levels. She is certified to coach and train with EQ-i/EQ360 (Emotional Intelligence) and the Enneagram and teaches in the ExecEd program at the Schulich School of Business. Prior to launching her own practice, Marla was Vice President of Executive Affairs at World Vision Canada. She is an Accredited Business Communicator and has a BA and MA from Western University.
Invest in Your Leadership
Healthy churches need healthy leaders. This Learning Circle is a chance to invest in yourself and your ministry—not just for today, but for the long-term health of your congregation and community.
The cost of this program, valued at $399, has been generously subsidized by Ministry Forum to make it accessible for our community. It’s available for $175 until December 20th and goes to $200 after that.