IML
INSTITUTE FOR MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
An innovative approach to discipleship and developing leaders who need the Church to rise up now more than ever.
IML
INSTITUTE FOR MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
An innovative approach to discipleship and developing leaders who need the Church to rise up now more than ever.
LET’S TALK ABOUT THE NEED:
We have a generation of young people who have grown up as believers, who have been taught how to do the “things”, but have had very little personal investment. They go to college, and if God is tugging on their heart, they may have a desire to serve him. BUT, they don’t have the tools to know what this means. We want to develop these leaders, and we don’t want to lead stagnant churches. While this program is a resource for churches to use as investments are made into emerging adults, the church benefits as each associate brings their vitality to the congregation; they change us!
Our mission is to help every emerging adult leader discover:
Who they are as a person
Who they are as a follower of Christ
Who they are as a leader
Spiritual formation
Spiritual formation through seminary has long been the standard, but changing cultural needs have resulted in decreasing enrollment–New and innovative approaches are needed. New generations need to be empowered holistically so they may engage with our culture both theologically and practically. Many graduating students are not sure where to go to be trained and the Church can meet this need by partnering practical leadership ministry with seminary-level education.
Communal Empowerment
Most young people today don’t think they want to be part of the institutional church. However, there is a great hunger to be spiritually awakened and connected. Emerging Adults see themselves as having something to offer but do not feel there is a welcoming avenue for them.
Leadership Development
In order for young people to see themselves as leaders in a diverse and polarized world, they need to be trained and equipped to use their gifts in partnership with God for the rest of their lives.
IML’S APPROACH
For decades, ministry preparation has focused on providing young people with the least impactful roles in a congregation, often with the lowest pay in the church. Not only is this not an effective way to learn who God has called them to be, but it uses young emerging leaders as cheap labor with little communal involvement. IML’s empowerment model is a co-mentoring approach where a community seeks young people to invite, encourage, and empower them to exercise their gifts while walking alongside leaders in their church community (it’s “adoptive” ministry, read more about this here).
IML is a discipleship training program where our team supports local churches as they partner with emerging adults.
INSTITUTE FOR MINISTRY LEADERSHIP
HOW IT WORKS
For this program to work in YOUR CHURCH there needs to be a commitment by its people to invite recent graduates into a space of spiritual formation, leadership development, and communal empowerment. With this commitment, a partnership can form between the Institute and your congregation.
The Institute Provides:
Personal coaching for associates, church staff, and advisory board on every aspect throughout the program.
Two accredited seminary classes for all associates
Assistance and direction for recruiting associates
Training and curriculum resources for program directors
Class sessions are led by a network of professionals in various industries (in other words, you will have access to Dr. Chap Clark and his decades-long network of industry leaders who will join you and your team to come and teach your associates).
The Church Provides:
An advisory board with a designated leader
Housing for leadership associates
Ministry / Professional Track options (significant roles in the church to learn, develop, and discover)
A weekly dedicated time to train, nature, and build relationships with each associate
Time allotted for Associates to engage with other IML associates as students in an online class experience
Program Details:
How Long is it?
- The program should be about 9 months (labor day to memorial day) and we recommend a class of 4-8 associates each year.
What is the commitment?
- We ask for churches to commit to a 2-year cycle so we can help you adequately get the program launched and sustainable.
Help me understand the tracks?
- Tracks are our way of classifying job descriptions into two categories, “ministry” and “professional”. The ministry track would involve hiring an associate into your church community in a role where they can lead, be part of a community, and be formed spiritually. The “professional” track would involve you helping the associate land a job in the local community that aligns with their interests while providing them with a prominent volunteer opportunity to discover how to integrate their faith, work, and life together. As a church, you can launch with either or both tracks.
What will this Cost?
Great question! Our service is free. Your cost is the commitment to the associates you are hiring. This program is not intended to be an unpaid internship. We are committed to helping churches develop leaders, and believe our model is a fantastic way for our current climate. As such, each church and project will look a little differently so if you are interested the next step is to contact us.