Leadership for Changing Times
08-01-2022
After a two-year pause due to the global pandemic, McCormick’s Executive Leadership Program returns this September to help equip faith institutions and non-profit organizations with the skills and abilities needed for effective leadership in a constantly changing world.
With four master’s degrees to his credit, and the completion of several executive leadership programs during his 26 years of service in the U.S. Air Force – including one from MIT – it would be easy to question why Sam Lofton would enroll in another leadership program. But the decision to attend McCormick’s Certificate in Executive Leadership was quite simple for the director of Men’s Ministry at Victory Apostolic Church. “There’s always something new to learn,” says Dr. Lofton (D.Min.’21). “When we look at how America and the world are forever changing…how workforces are changing…and how the people who are coming into our churches have a different outlook and perspective – not only about life but also about volunteerism and serving – spiritual leaders need to have leadership tools to address today’s challenges. It’s about staying current, proficient, and fine-tuned.”
Adapting to change is vital for today’s leaders, points out Dr. Valerie Landfair, one of three instructors for this year’s Certificate in Executive Leadership. The other two are Rev. Dr. Barbara Wilson, (M.Div.’01, D.Min.’08), and Rev. Dr. Grace Kaori Suzuki.
“Adaptive leadership recognizes that there is not just one perfect leadership style,” says Dr. Landfair, who served in corporate organizational management positions for nearly 20 years. “Leaders are constantly challenged to discern when to be flexible, when they need to be collaborative, when there’s a need for new systems and processes to manage tasks more efficiently, and what leadership approach is best suited for the situation in front of them. Leaders have always had to wear many hats. Today they are called to take off one and put on the next much faster.”
The knowledge and skills needed to make these transitions are some of the topics covered during the four weekend sessions of McCormick’s Certificate in Executive Leadership. The online program, spaced out over seven months, allows participants to examine foundational leadership theory and practice, explore leadership skills that can help them deal with current issues while planning for the challenges to come, and gain insights into their own spiritual leadership gifts and deficiencies.
“What we see strengthened in participants over the course of the program is a growing understanding of the spectrum of knowledge a faith or non-profit leader needs,” says Dr. Landfair. “Leading any organization today calls for a working knowledge of finance and budgeting, organizational management, conflict resolution, distinguishing leaders from influencers, and other insights that can help a leader succeed. The demands placed on leaders means they must also be encouraged to value their own personal and spiritual care as well as prioritize time with their families.”
Participants will be able to look at leadership issues in their own context, notes Dr. Landfair. “Whether they are new to leadership responsibilities or have been in a leadership role for a while, the program offers tools and information that can be applied to issues they are currently facing,” she says.
For Dr. Lofton, the most beneficial aspects of the program were wrestling with the issues, concepts, and theories presented in the program as well as hearing the viewpoints and constructs that other students brought to the course.
“The program provides varying levels and kinds of diversity,” says Dr. Lofton. “Baby Boomers, Millennials, people from different geographic areas, educational backgrounds, experiences, different kinds of leadership responsibilities, ethnicity, etc. That diversity offered a variety of leadership approaches for handling the changing landscape we face in ministry today. It challenged my thinking and gave me new viewpoints to consider. It also bonded me with some other leaders and created new friendships. Our final class was held online because of the pandemic. Our cohort continues to regularly reach out to each other online to stay connected and encourage each other.”
“It’s our purpose through this program to create a balanced perspective on leadership,” states Dr. Landfair, “one that not only helps leaders serve their churches and organizations more effectively, but also honors the need for leaders to care for themselves and their spiritual and professional development.”
