McPherson University Proffers Leadership Training for Church Leaders

By Oluchi Eze

McPherson University in collaboration with Christian Leadership Skills Inc., has offered to train church leaders in Church Management skills.

The Vice Chancellor of McPherson University, Prof. Francis Igbasan made this known at a press briefing ahead of the Saturday February 28, convocation of 42 pioneer students of the Executive Diploma in Church Management (online course) at Seriki, Sotayo, Ogun State, location of the higher institution.

Prof. Igbasan, noted that the Executive Diploma in Church Managements was a collaboration between Christian Leadership Skills Inc. and McPherson University to train church leaders for impactful leadership.

Speaking further, the Vice Chancellor stated: “We have gone through the curriculum and it is a programme recommended for all church leaders who want to make a difference. Some of our lecturers are also part of the well trained facilitators.

“Whether you are a General Overseer, District Overseer, Regional Overseer, etc., it is very important to go through this programme. There are many people who do not know this programme exists, it is a programme very relevant to church leaders.

“It is a programme certified by the University and management of Christian Leadership Skills Inc. If it were not certified we would not be party to it. That is why the pioneer set would be graduating with the University’s regular students on February 28.”

The Chief Executive Officer, Christian Leadership Skills Inc., and Church Management training expert, Rev. Albert Aina, on his part, observed that many church leaders lack christian leadership and church management skills, saying only “one out of five pastors are trained”.

The District Overseer in Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, said that the course on Church Management is a back-to-the-New-Testament alternative for training ministry leaders.

He said that theological training was not enough for effective leadership and church management for the savvy and forward thinking ministry leader in the 21st century, who wants to make a real difference in the community and the world.

According to him, there is need for adequate training in Church Management and sub-areas including Ministry Paradigm Shift, Digital Technology And Computer Operation In Church Management, Church Social Media And Church Marketing, Church Financial Management, Church Communications and Public Relations, Contemporary Church Laws and Statutory Laws.

He added that some teachings in church leadership were to be overhauled as they were not in sync with modern day realities, should the truth be told.

Also he expressed optimism on the course’s impact: “When Jesus sent out the 12, He dispatched the crew with a far more sense about how things work than about Theology. Curiously, our ministry training today is just the opposite. We don’t take business leaders and teach them to preach, rather we generally take folks trained in Theology and teach them to lead.

“The course will empower participants to make a meaningful social contribution, as most of the management principles are transferable to the church ministry setting. We realise that running a ministry/church is more difficult than running for-profit enterprises; the resources are tighter, it is often volunteer-driven, the measure of success is less obvious, and there are no well-established best practices for maximising results.

“However, many church leaders can’t find time and finances to attend secular Business Schools and learn the principles and practices that will help them to steward with excellence. It is our fervent prayer that the Lord of the harvest will use this course to nurture and grow the ministries that God Has entrusted to them.”