Leadership institute

Why teach leadership?
One of the greatest tasks that Jesus gave to his disciples before he left earth to return to the glory of heaven was to make disciples. In other words, to make people who would do what he did, who would carry his word to their communities and help spread the good news all over the world. This is one of the highest callings of the church even today and it is equally important for us here at Rivers of Joy Ministries. We take this instruction very seriously and we like to make sure that all our pastors are properly trained and equipped.

But it is our firm belief that you do not need to go to a seminary or a college to be a pastor; even more so to be ordained. Education does not make you a pastor, God’s calling does! Jesus did not send anyone to college or the local rabbinical school nor did he ordain anyone! The only criteria then to be a pastor, and to be ordained, is the calling of God upon your life as testified by your faithfulness to the word of God, the anointing that God has placed upon you, the life you lead as an example to your flock and by what you do and say every day.

Having said that we realise, as we look at the way that Jesus trained his men, that calling by itself is not enough. It is certainly the key and the crucial element of anyone who aspires to be a minister of God. But it needs to be supported by Biblical knowledge and understanding as well as some specific teaching and work practice to make you a sound and effective ‘leader.’ And, just like Jesus did, we believe that the best training is not in a classroom but in the field, ‘doing the work of a pastor’ and training ‘on the job.’ This is the reason why we have developed the Leadership Institute as an opportunity to further the equipping of all our pastors/leaders, and those who aspire to be so, as a way to prepare them for the many challenges of spiritual leadership.

The basis of this Leadership Institute is the teaching of Jesus, his examples in every day life, his leadership and management style and his ability to understand people, recognise their skills and gifts, and be able to delegate to others effectively. Students enrolled on the course will learn how to use their skills and gifts, how to manage people, how to understand what it means to be the leader of an organisation, how to motivate and develop people, how to delegate tasks, how to plan for projects and be effective in reaching their members and their communities.

Having been in ministry for many years now, and having travelled extensively all over the world, what again and again I have come to realise is that many good, anointed, certainly called pastors are sadly poor leaders. To lead people effectively you need to be effectively prepared for the task. Leadership skills are not inborn but learnt. That is why Rivers of Joy Ministries has developed this specific programme. Our aim is to male a leader of every believer.

Character of the programme
As for our Bible School we strongly believe in distance (correspondence) learning. This is not only a very cost effective method for all our third world pastors and believers but it is also a proven and very effective way to reach a much greater number of people in one go. In addition it is a way that allows everyone to develop their own gifting and to do it at their own pace and in their own time. This is also the specific character of the Leadership Institute, where a mixture of distance learning programmes as well as seminars and workshops will be offered to anyone who registers. In doing so the Leadership Institute wants to enable every student to become an effective leader as well as a called servant of God.

The teaching via distance learning will be using various resources specific to the issues covered. But the programme will also involve some workshops and seminars of specific live teaching that will be held in many different nations as the General Overseer will travel around visiting the different churches of our network. On such occasions, pastors from various areas will come together for a few days of intense teaching and study. This will also be a wonderful opportunity for many of our pastors to meet each other and network together. We have already developed many of such workshops and others will be added as time goes by. All students who have completed the course will receive an attractive Diploma of Spiritual Leadership and will also be ordained, if they have not been yet.

Cost of the programme
· For pastors members of Rivers of Joy Ministries: the distance learning course, the workshops and the ordination papers are free of charge; you will have to pay for your own living expenses when attending our workshops/seminars.
· For pastors not affiliated with Rivers of Joy Ministries the following charges will apply:
- distance learning course: £ 250.00
- registration fee (not refundable) £ 25.00
- each workshop (for which you will pay your own living expenses) £ 30.00
- ordination papers £ 25.00
The cost of the course will also include a free copy of the book by Rev. Alex tana “Leadership as a lifestyle.”

Applications
To apply to join the Leadership Institute you should in first instance write to the HQ of the ministry including a full Cv (resume) of your spiritual and pastoral career so far, your testimony and the details of your calling to ministry. Every application will be prayerfully considered for approval. If accepted, a registration form together with two passport size photos and any relevant charges will have to be returned to us before any study can commence.