LF is an online program of 6 courses that tackle the core elements of developing healthy, missionally focused ministry leaders. Candidates are assigned to a cluster group with whom they will journey through the process. Each cluster is comprised of 4 to 6 individuals from a variety of locations across the country, and guided by an experienced coach for each course. Each course is 6 months in duration, so by the end of the process, a candidate will have spent 3 years with their cluster group members and 6 different coaches. The 6 courses are: Commencement, Character, Competencies, Confessions, Connectivity, Celebrations

• Individuals who sense a call to missions or ministry.
• Individuals who are answering a call to ministry and seeking credentials within the Church of God.
• Pastors who are life-long learners and want to strengthen competencies, skills, biblical knowledge and ministry renewal.
• A Credentials Committee may also determine that Leadership Focus is a helpful tool for guiding some pastors in refocusing, retooling, or even a restoration process.

No, Leadership Focus is not a credentialing agent. We will train the assembly administrator, credentials staff, and credentials committee in the most effective use of LF. However, it remains exclusively the responsibility of the identified credentialing body to determine appropriate credentials.

A candidate will need a minimum of 30-60 days to complete the registration and enrollment process. After being approved by their Credentials Committee, candidates are placed into a cluster and begin the 3-year program either in the Fall or Spring session.

• Course 1 is $275.
  • This covers all their assessments throughout the journey, a one-on-one debrief with a professional counselor, a written report that goes to the Credentials Committee, and the administrative support necessary to begin the process.
• Courses 2-6 are $150 each
  • Candidates are eligible for a full scholarship for Course 3 (provided through a grant) if the candidate attends ALL Course 2 cluster meetings and completes all Course 2 assignments.
• Books are approximately $100- $150 depending on where they are purchased.
• The total cost to a candidate over the 3-year process is $900-$1,050 plus the cost of books.

We highly value the ordination process and ministry experience that others bring to the Church of God. By no means is a required Leadership Focus track meant to deny that advantage. The “Leadership Focus Already Ordained Track” (LFAO) is meant to introduce incoming ministers to the Church of God theologically, relationally, and as practitioners. High value is given to the introduction of Church of God history, heritage, and leadership not just within their local region or assembly, but nationally and globally.

The LFAO track is one course that takes place over one year. There are five areas of emphasis, as well as five 2-hour online cluster meetings during the course. This specialized track assumes some competency has been achieved through ministry experience and encourages additional formal, accredited, theological education if not already completed. Each assembly may require additional work for their candidates to be considered for ordination, which is determined at their sole discretion.

Anyone interested in Leadership Focus needs to register through their state, assembly or region. Please contact your local assembly leadership for more information or contact Lori Fast, executive director of Leadership Focus, at LFast@chog.org.