From Laity to Leadership: A Training Program for Christians New to Leadership

Christian leadership development is vital to fulfill the mission of the church, to build up and equip the saints to live in abundant spiritual closeness to God and others. As congregants look to church leaders for guidance, instruction, and a godly leadership model, educating, training, and nurturing these leaders as they impact the congregation is imperative. This is especially true for individuals new to leadership roles within the church. Therefore, this project aims to provide foundational biblical, spiritual, and leadership training to new lay leaders at the New Life Worship Center Church. The new leadership training program, a mandatory and serious commitment, is of utmost importance as it ensures that each new leader understands biblical and theological themes and the necessary characteristics for effective ministry leadership. The From Laity to Leadership program incorporates the SSHAT Leadership model, which encompasses the Servant, Shepherd, Authentic, and Transformative Leadership models to provide a well-rounded view of Christian leadership. Church leadership is critically important as it guides and shapes the church’s culture, directly impacting the spiritual development of the congregation. The urgency and significance of the training program lie in its instrumental role in equipping new and next-generation leaders to reflect a culture of faith where the growth and well-being of church members are paramount.