Christian Ministry Leadership

Move from wanting to serve to being ready to lead.

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Sensing a call toward ministry is one thing.

Learning how to carry that calling with wisdom, humility, skill, and endurance is another.

The Christian Ministry Leadership Certificate (CML) is a two-semester experience for men and women who want to discern God’s call and develop the character and practical skills necessary for healthy, sustainable ministry leadership.

Whether your future includes vocational ministry or greater leadership and influence in a church, nonprofit, or mission-focused environment, CML is designed to help prepare you for the responsibility that comes with leading people in the name of Jesus.

Calling Needs Formation

A desire to make a difference is important. But desire by itself isn’t enough.

Ministry leadership asks you to care for people, build teams, communicate truth, make decisions, navigate complexity, lead through challenges, and stay spiritually healthy while you do it.

CML brings those pieces together.

Through biblical instruction, spiritual formation, experienced ministry leaders, and hands-on application, you’ll develop the confidence and competency to lead with integrity, humility, and Christlike purpose.

You’ll also have space to wrestle with an important question:

What is God actually inviting me to do next?

What You’ll Learn

CML is built around the real work of ministry. Over 20 weeks, you’ll explore both the character of a ministry leaderand the practical skills required to lead ministry well.

Fall: Building the Foundation for Ministry Leadership

The first semester focuses on calling, culture, people, and sustainable leadership.

You’ll explore:

  • The mission and DNA of Flatirons

  • How culture and values shape ministry

  • Recognizing and responding to God’s invitation

  • Desire, gifting, opportunity, and confirmation in discerning calling

  • Building volunteer teams

  • Leading and developing volunteers

  • Foundations of pastoral care

  • Applying pastoral care in real-life situations

  • Hospitality as ministry

  • Mission-driven leadership

  • Building the spiritual and practical rhythms necessary to sustain leadership

This semester helps you think beyond simply filling a ministry role and begin understanding what it means to faithfully lead people.

Spring: Practicing the Work of Ministry

The second semester develops practical ministry skills you can carry into real leadership environments.

You’ll explore:

  • The responsibility of communicating God’s Word

  • Bible study and teaching preparation

  • Crafting a message

  • Communicating with clarity

  • Ministry program and service design

  • Jesus as our model for leadership

  • Biblical discipleship

  • Planning and leading healthy ministry projects

  • Giving and receiving feedback

  • Developing a personal ministry statement

  • Preparing for your next season of ministry

You won’t just talk about ministry. You’ll begin practicing the work of ministry.

Learn From Leaders Who Are Doing It

Ministry leadership is difficult to learn from a textbook alone.

CML gives you access to a range of experienced Flatirons leaders and practitioners who can speak from years of leading people, building teams, teaching Scripture, caring for others, developing ministries, and navigating the realities that come with spiritual leadership.

Instructors include:

Jim Burgen
Mark Jenkins
Jesse DeYoung
Karl Romeus
Paul Yerrick
Kenny Conley
Jon Watkins
Corrie Kraft
Aaron Schroeder
Jeff Poor
Ben Stewart
Amanda Brown

What You’ll Walk Away With

By the end of CML, you’ll have a stronger foundation for:

  • Discerning and articulating your calling

  • Understanding how mission and culture shape ministry

  • Building, leading, and developing volunteer teams

  • Caring for people with greater wisdom

  • Creating environments where people feel welcomed and known

  • Studying and preparing to communicate Scripture

  • Crafting and delivering clear messages

  • Designing ministry programs and services

  • Discipling others

  • Planning and leading ministry projects

  • Giving and receiving healthy feedback

  • Developing rhythms that help make ministry sustainable

Most importantly, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of both the leader God is forming you to become and the ministry He may be calling you toward.

Program Details

Length: 20 weeks across two semesters
Format: In person
Location: Lafayette, Colorado
Class Night: Tuesdays
Class Time: 6:00 PM
Tuition: $1,000 total / $500 per semester
Application Fee: $50 non-refundable application fee

Classes run during the Fall and Spring semesters and include weekend intensives.

Take Your Calling Seriously

You don’t have to have your entire future figured out before you begin.

If you sense God pulling you toward greater responsibility, deeper ministry leadership, or a new season of serving others, CML gives you a place to test that calling, grow your character, sharpen your skills, and prepare for what comes next.

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