Unlock your potential with the Certificate in Executive Leadership (CEL) program!
Designed for pastors and key leaders of Christian institutions,
this program equips you with adaptive and transformational skills essential for
effective leadership in today's ever-changing landscape.

This highly acclaimed Certificate in Executive Leadership (CEL) equips pastors and other key leaders of Christian institutions, both congregations and broader church or non-profit systems, with the skills and abilities vital for effective leadership in today's rapidly changing landscape. The program emphasizes the development of adaptive and transformational skills, and draws on contemporary leadership theory and practice, as well as McCormick's recognized excellence in providing theological education and its thirty-five years of experience in organizational development and leadership education.


Designed For: 

  • Pastors (head-of-staff), APs, solo, or executive) interested in transformational leadership skills

  • Executives and staff of denominational structures experiencing change

  • Clergy and Lay Leaders and staff of church-based community ministries

Course Work: 

Classes meet virtually on Thursdays from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m., Fridays from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 to 1:00 p.m. 

  • There will be pre-course reading and writing assignments. 

  • All sessions are required to complete the program successfully. 


Session 1: Foundations for Leadership
Sept. 26-28, 2024
Instructor: Jeanne Porter-King, Ph.D.

Session 2: Systems and Contexts: You're Not in This Alone
Nov 7-9, 2024
Instructor: Rev. Barbara Wilson, D.Min.

Session 3: Adaptive Leadership
Feb 6-8, 2025
Instructor: Valerie Landfair, Ph.D.

Session 4: Change, Collaboration, and Conflict: Addressing the Challenge
March 27 – 29, 2025
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Grace Kaori Suzuki, D.Min.

Program Benefits: 

Participants in the CEL program will…

  • Strengthen their knowledge and sharpen their critical thinking skills through an examination of foundational leadership theory and practice in culturally-attentive ways.

  • Apply knowledge and evaluate results through collaboration with faculty and peers both in the classroom and in between-session work applicable to each student's place of ministry..

  • Will explore transformational leadership skills -- the ability to address current pressing issues as well as to meet unknown challenges yet to come.

  • Acquire insights into who they are, how God has gifted them as a leader, and their roles in relationship to others, through self-assessment and feedback from faculty and peers.

  • Develop an interactive peer network of colleagues through their classroom and between-session discussions and work.

Requirements: 

  • A Bachelor's Degree is highly recommended; an M.Div. or other advanced degree is not required.

  • Applicants must hold active leadership responsibility at a place of ministry at the time of enrollment.

  • Applicants must also provide a letter of recommendation from the pastor, other person in leadership in the place of ministry, or from the board that oversees the particular ministry.

Tuition: $1,800.00. 
A $100.00 non-refundable deposit is due at the time of application; the full tuition may be paid in two installments.