The Servant Leadership Institute aims to assist leaders in cultivating the new competencies needed for leadership in the 21st Century.


Responding to new leadership needs

The Synod of the Northeast continues to live into the promise of the New Way Forward. One of our goals is to expand the pool of leaders in our presbyteries by enhancing their competencies and pursuing greater diversity. Old models of leadership that are focused on top-down leadership styles are obsolete. The new challenges in leadership require competencies in deep listening and the heart of a servant. New leaders must have the ability to cultivate a vision rather than dictate one, and they must have the tools to work collaboratively within a broader community of leaders.

The Servant Leadership Institute seeks to develop, nurture, and deploy leaders that are committed to working collaboratively with the diverse communities of the Synod; leaders who will meet the complex challenges of church in the 21st Century with creativity and a ground-up perspective. Areas of development include relationship development and management, communications, creative problem solving, emotional intelligence, and resilience.

Program Format

The program runs from September-September and consists of:

  • 9 workshop sessions

    • In-person action learning focused on real-life issues and leadership challenges

    • Group coaching experiences for in-depth leadership development work

    • Conversations and learning stimulated by assigned reading pertinent to the objective of the session

  • Four 1-1 coaching sessions over the 12 months of the Institute

  • A final meeting three months after the last gathering

    • Checking-in and planning a way forward

F&Qs

How much does the program cost?

All participants are being asked for a contribution* of $500, plus books and transportation (within 100 miles of our meeting). All meals, and accommodations for those who might need an overnight stay, are included.

Applicants should also be mindful of other important costs:
For the year of its duration, the program will ask participants for significant commitments of time, openness of mind and spirit, and spiritual and intellectual energy. By submitting an application, you affirm that you foresee being willing and able to make these commitments.

Financial assistance is available, and no person will be turned away for an inability to pay.
For more information about financial support, please email our program coordinator, Nichol Burris.

*The actual cost of the program is approximately $5,500/person, but is heavily subsidized by the Synod.

Who will be providing leadership to the Institute?

Nichol Burris, our own Synod Administrative Coordinator, is serving as the program coordinator for the Servant Leadership Institute.

What will sessions cover?

  • Session 1 – What is leadership today?
  • Session 2 – Self and Other Awareness, Building Trust
  • Session 3 – Leadership & Self Development, Integrity and Gratitude
  • Session 4 – Leadership & Self Development, Aggression vs. Passivity, Resilience
  • Session 5 – Innovation
  • Session 6 – Change Management, Organizational Development, & Communication Strategies
  • Session 7 – Team Development, Coaching Skills
  • Session 8 – Accountability, Execution
  • Session 9 – Pulling it All Together
  • Session 10 – Check In, What’s Working, Challenges


What is the timetable for each session?

Each session will run from 10:00am to 3:00pm, with coffee and pastries in the morning at 9:30am.
Lunch and afternoon refreshments will be served.

What are the meeting dates?

  • Coming Soon



Do I have to attend all the program days?

To successfully complete the Servant Leadership Program, all participants are expected to attend all sessions and participate in the peer learning groups.

Where will sessions be held?

The in-person gathering location of the Servant Leadership Institute is still being determined, but will likely be somewhere in New Jersey.

Who will review applications & select the cohort?

The Synod’s Committee on Representation (COR) will serve as the application review committee and select the 2019-2020 cohort.

Servant Leadership Institute

Have questions about the institute, the application, or curriculum?
Contact our Synod Administrative Coordinator, Nichol Burris.