Germinate Leadership 2024

31 January 2024

Germinate Leadership is a unique programme for clergy and lay people developing their own leadership style. It fosters a collaborative, ecumenical approach and a culture of continuing personal and professional development. There is no single way of being a leader and context will always shape the leadership that is required.

The Germinate programme takes seriously the variety of rural contexts in which leadership is exercised, and seeks to encourage and enable the development of creative, entrepreneurial and realistic leaders better equipped to engage effectively with local communities and encourage churches to be an effective Christian presence.

The rural church faces new challenges and new opportunities, and will be enriched by a creative and entrepreneurial approach to leadership.

How does Germinate Leadership help in ministry?
The programme develops Christian leadership through engagement with leadership theory, theological reflection and practical leadership issues including conflict resolution, team building and group dynamics, collaboration between lay and ordained leaders, and the importance of deepening emotional intelligence.

What are the benefits of Germinate Leadership?
The 15-month programme includes three residentials (at the new location of Cliff College, near Bakewell in Derbyshire), a 360° leadership appraisal, mentoring and work-shadowing. A variety of learning styles are used, and teaching incorporates wisdom and experience drawn from secular and church leadership spheres. The programme draws on lay and ordained leadership experience from across the denominations.

Over the course of the programme, participants create a portfolio and leadership development plan which encourage reflection on the programme and the setting of ongoing leadership development goals. These form the starting point for a professional dialogue with two senior Christian leaders at the programme’s conclusion.

Germinate Leadership is delivered by the Arthur Rank Centre, the national organisation for the rural church. The programme is overseen by an ecumenical steering group.

To watch the 2024 promotional video and apply for the course visit the ARC Germinate website page.