Christians are called to be leaders in every area of life.
God wants His people to shine His light in every place they can, and that often happens through leadership.
But Christ-like leadership is challenging, and it’s easy to get discouraged.
That’s why one ministry focuses on training Christian leaders to transform the world.
“We are leaders united by a shared mission to transform the world for Christ,” writes the Christian Leadership Alliance.
The Alliance was founded in order to encourage and equip Christians who are leaders in many different circles of life. The ministry takes to heart the message of 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.
These verses tell us, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
Some Christians are particularly gifted in the area of leadership, and it’s crucial to nurture and develop those gifts for the glory of God, the good of His people, and the world.
The Alliance dreams of a world “where all Christian leaders steward their lives, resources, and callings with Christ-honoring excellence, influence and impact.”
The ministry believes that, as Christians, “we are called to invest in each other for the good of all.” Christian leadership can be transformative, no matter the workplace, so it’s important for Christian leaders to be encouraged.
For over forty years, the Alliance has encouraged and equipped Christians in all walks of life to follow Christ’s model for leadership. The ministry holds fast to the values of service, collaboration, excellence, and the glory of God as a transformational power.
The ministry works with over 150,000 Christian leaders each year, inspiring them to pursue Biblical principles in their practice of leadership.
The Alliance does this in several ways: a well-curated library of resources, an online academy, a “CORE” certification process, and a solid community of Christians working as leaders in various areas of life.
The Alliance offers a wide array of resources for Christian leaders looking to develop their gifts. These resources include blogs, newspapers, and magazines as well as credentialed programs and conferences to network with other leaders across the country.
This extensive library of resources provides opportunities for leaders to study Biblical principles, but it can also be used in conjunction with the Alliance’s online Outcomes Academy.
The Outcomes Academy offers Christian leaders the opportunity to work toward a Credentialed Christian Nonprofit Leader (CCNL) certification. This certification, designed to “promote Biblical principles and professional standards,” can open doors in industries and communities desperately in need of Christ’s light.
To help leaders move toward this certification, the Outcomes Academy offers “in-depth leadership training on a state-of-the-art, dynamic online platform.” Courses are compiled into succinct ten-hour modules for streamlined study.
Students in the Academy study content from experts and thought-leaders and formulate their own philosophy of Christ-honoring leadership with help from mentors.
In addition to helping leaders obtain the CCNL certification, the Outcomes Academy can potentially lead students to an Alliance-specific CORE certification.
The CORE certification “is for leaders who don’t want to simply be great leaders, but long to be leaders who lead like Jesus,” the ministry writes. “This transformational experience will change the way you lead and live.”
The CORE certification requires studies in identity, integration, immersion, and inspiration. These four areas reflect elements of Jesus’ ministry and leadership on earth and challenges Christian leaders to evaluate their priorities and develop their passion for Christ’s kingdom.
Whether Alliance members choose to study at the Academy or pursue certifications, they are welcomed into a community of Christian leaders who are seeking excellence and service in their professional lives.
The Alliance offers peer mentorship opportunities and local chapters where members can meet and discuss their struggles, victories, and needs. It’s a chance to view leadership as the spiritual fight—and the spiritual gift—that it truly is.
The Christian Leadership Alliance is working hard to serve the Christian leaders of our generation, and many testify to its effectiveness.
“Convener and catalyst, Christian Leadership Alliance is bringing thought leadership, practical resources, inspiration and provocation in the right mix to equip Christian leaders today and into the future,” says Christine Talbot, an executive for a Christian nonprofit.
Many others echo her sentiments.
Do you want to become more Christlike in your practice of leadership? Click here to learn more about the resources and guidance offered by the Christian Leadership Alliance.
