Elevate Collective
As expressed on the opening page of The Pastoral Way, it is our vision that our pastors are lifelong learners. To support that vision we commit significant resources to providing development opportunities for our pastors as explained on the Development Process page. As we look to the future of the church with its many unknowns and great possibilities, we recognize the central role that leaders will play in bringing that future to reality. We need Jesus-centred leaders who are equipped with the practical skills to lead through a time of change and innovation.
Learning cohorts provide a unique, transformative space to develop skills and discuss ministry challenges in the safety of a small group environment. Elevate Collective is comprised of ministry leaders who are in all stages of their leadership journey in ministry. They have typically started down the ministry path and are often on staff in their local church.
This cohort meets one day each month from October to May. The program includes multiple years of curriculum. The curriculum for each year is stand-alone so participants can join for a single year or more. The yearly curriculums do not need to be done in a particular order which allows for maximum flexibility for participants. The primary instructors are Todd Lester and Melanie Wigg but many guest instructors are involved in the program as well.
Each of the yearly programs represent new content but each new year is based on our Learning Framework, illustrated below. We are committed to developing pastors in four areas. The four areas include theological formation focusing on the unique aspects of our anabaptist identity, personal development focusing on a growth mindset and increasing self-awareness, ministry skills in a variety of practical areas, and transformational leadership.
For 2025-2026, we are teaching Program Four. Program Five is currently in development and will be offered in 2026-2027.
Transformational Leadership
- The principles of being a transformational leadership deriving from an evidence-based research model of effective leadership.
Vision and Strategy
- Principles, tools, and ideas about the value of strategic thinking and planning as a means to understand the unique purpose of a church ministry.
Jesus Centred Discipleship
- A guest speaker will discuss what it means to live out the Christian life in a Jesus-centered paradigm.
Pastoral Care
- A session covering the practical aspects of weddings, funerals, hospital visitation and other important people-centered ministry.
Emotional Intelligence
- A guest speaker will provide an inventory and feedback on each participants emotional intelligence and how to continue to develop your self-awareness.
Understanding your Strengths
- Using StrengthsFinder research and inventory, each participant will learn about their biases in thinking that are indicators for areas of strengths for service.
Sermons People Remember
- A guest speaker guide us through a session on ‘big idea’ preaching style as articulated by Haddon Robinson.
Transformational Leadership
Designing Services
Preaching to Build a Bridge
Preaching for Life Change
Anabaptism
Conflict Management
Grip Birkman Inventory
Visionary Leadership
Interpersonal Skills
Ministry Skills
The Nature of Scripture
Working Genius Inventory
Core Values of the BIC
Soul Care
BIC History and Spirituality
- What is our story and, more importantly, what is our future in light of our history and spirituality.
Church Leadership
- Pastors can’t be good at everything but what are the essential qualities to be a transformational leader in an anabaptist pastoral context.
Project Management
- We will have a guest speaker help us develop some key management skills in the area of project management.
Centered Set Church
- We describe ourselves as being Jesus-centered instead of being bounded set. How does being a centered set church affect discipleship, ministry and community.
Governance
- Pastors can learn how to use governance and church structures to their advantage to unleash their staff and volunteers.
Money and Ministry
- Two guest speakers will share about the changing nature of fundraising in our current context and what it means for churches.
Peace Theology
- The history and current state of peace theology in the BIC and Christian church.
COMING IN 2026
Church Leadership
Ministry Skills
Accents and Issues
"I can’t thank you guys enough for this course; you’ve really hit the nail on the head with this material. I found it really helped me lead through the end of the pandemic and get our congregation moving forward."
Learning Framework
Below are the four areas of learning that frame the planning of each new Elevate Collective program. It is our hope that this approach will help each person who attends to grow theologically, personally, in skill and in impact.
To help you decide if the program is right for you, below is a video with testimonies from participants in the program.
To learn more about how you can join the program, reach out to Todd Lester or Melanie Wigg. Todd or Melanie will be happy to have an obligation-free conversation about whether this program is right for you.
Todd Lester
Director of Leadership Programs
Melanie Wigg
Director of Elevate Collective