Leadership Symposiums
Overview
"What is a leader?" That question is at the center of each Leadership Symposium. Participants wrestle with the answer while developing skills to help them lead in their local congregation. Through expert speakers, group conversations, personal reflections, interviews, and designing their own project, each participant learns that a leader looks a lot like them.
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Symposiums are organized by academic status with "Youth" serving as a college-prep experience for high school students, "Young Adult" equipping those who have graduated from high school, and "Emerging Clergy" providing additional formation for those who are preparing for ministry through an M.Div. or alternative track program.
High School Students
Youth Leadership Symposium prepares high school students to lead in their local congregation and develops skills that will serve them in all aspects of life. YLS has three primary meetings via zoom with the first two providing resources and reflection. The third is when students present the local church projects they have designed, then receive affirmation and support from peers and mentors. YLS begins each year in January with the final gathering taking place in June.
College Students/Young Adults (18-25)
Young Adult Leadership Symposium equips those who have graduated from high school to lead in their church and community. Most of YALS is asynchronous, with zoom groups meeting monthly from January through June to reflect and learn with a peer group. Individual projects for YALS students may be done with a local congregation, campus organization, or local nonprofit organization. YALS runs from January through June.
Seminary Students
"Emerging Clergy" is a term that refers to those in seminary, or navigating alternative tracks in preparing for ordination. ECLS will focus on leadership skills that are important to serving local congregations and serving as a leader in the community. Projects for ELCS must be done in a students primary ministry setting, or the local congregation where they are a member. ECLS will launch in 2027, running from September through December.
Past Projects
Leadership Symposiums began with YLS in 2023 and we have been collecting stories about our students projects each year. Here are a few examples of the work Leadership Symposiums equips in young leaders.
Past Projects
Our Partners
The Church is at its best when partners come together. Here are the amazing ministry partners that are helping to make this project a reality. Interested in becoming a partner? Contact us here.
