Name of Press Contact: Hollie Benton, Executive Director
Registration is now open for the 4th Annual National Advanced Leadership Conference. Held exclusively online this year, the event runs Friday, September 18 through Saturday, September -19. It is hosted by the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.
The conference aims to unite the body of Christ to serve those divided by pandemics, politics and persecutions. Showcasing the pan-Orthodox Intensive Program in Servant Leadership, participants will be introduced to the principles, disciplines and tools of servant leadership, which equip clergy and laity to work together and thrive in the communities they serve. Topics covered include Foundations of Servant Leadership, Creating Effective Ministry Teams, Cultivating Vision and Change, and Inspiring Generosity and Stewardship. Additional presentations will touch on emotional intelligence, solving complex problems with diverse teams, and facilitating small group discussions. Leaders and emerging leaders who serve the local parish, diocese, or related non-profits are encouraged to register.
“This is a great opportunity for clergy and laity to come together,” said Hollie Benson, the executive director of OCLI, during an interview with Bobby Maddex on Ancient Faith Radio. “To collaborate, to learn from each other, to reduce the isolation that we face and to really think outside of the box, even during this pandemic, so that we can work together across jurisdictions, in our cities and at diocesan levels as well.”
Speakers at the conference include Rev. Dr. Sergius Halvorsen, Dr. Katherine Kahn, Rev. Dr. James Katinas, Dr. Al Rossi, and Dr John Mark Reynolds. View the full line-up of presenters here. Event attendees will also be honored by the presence of Metropolitan Tikhon, Metropolitan Joseph, Archbishop Elpidophoros, and Metropolitan Nicolae who will gather together in a hierarchy panel discussion to address the need for servant leadership in North America.
Founded in Scripture and the teachings of the Orthodox faith, servant leadership is an essential blueprint for all those practicing leadership in the church. “This is a way in which we’re able to come together and be honest to rethink, reset, so we’re doing a better job of service.” said Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, President of St. Vladimir’s Seminary. “Jesus himself says ‘I am among you as One who serves.’”
Visit the website to learn more and to register. The online conference will take an asynchronous approach as registrants will have access to over ten presentations before and after the gathering so that our time together online is optimized with interactive discussion, virtual break-out rooms, and thoughtful Q&A opportunities.
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The Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative (OCLI) exists to nurture and empower Orthodox Christian servant leadership. It is a national initiative to increase generosity, servant leadership, and social outreach by clergy and laity of all jurisdictions working together nationally, regionally, and locally.
