Certificate Program
Finding New Paths
An increasing number of churches are recognizing the need to transition toward a more missional culture and framework whereby they can engage their neighbours and neighbourhoods more deeply. Some of these congregations are smaller and struggling to survive while others are larger but still desiring to impact their neighbourhoods more effectively.
At the Centre for Missional Leadership, we believe that a renewed imagination is emerging in the Canadian church landscape. There are new and creative ways of being the church that can lead to a more invigorating and sustainable future; not only for smaller churches but for larger churches in need of change. The goal of the Certificate Program is to equip leadership teams from congregations to explore alternative pathways.
Join Us
What
5 educational sessions to encourage creative reimagining of how our churches gather and engage their neighbours
4 coaching sessions with a member of the CML team
A 1-YEAR PROGRAM DEVELOPED TO EDUCATE, EMPOWER AND EQUP CHURCH LEADERS AND CONGREGATIONS
Where
Online via Zoom and in person at St. Andrew’s Hall
6040 Iona Drive
Vancouver
When
Saturday 9:00am to 12:00pm pacific
September 27, 2025
November 22, 2025
January 24, 2026
March 28, 2026
April 25, 2026
For more information about the program, download our printable brochure.
Sessions
Each session begins with exploration of your current context then integrates theological reflection and potential modes of praxis. Sessions will call forth a mini-project to take action on your learning.
SESSION #1
Saturday September 27 2025
Understanding the move towards secularism / Why most churches are struggling or “It’s not your Fault”
We will explore reasons why our inherited models of church are floundering as well as some older/renewed ways of being the church focused on forming a thicker shared life
SESSION #3
Saturday January 24 2026
Reshaping our Sunday gatherings around food, conversation, prayer and welcome.
We will explore alternative formats and rhythms for our congregational gatherings that could look something like this:
Two Sundays/month of more recognizable worship forms (with some twists)
One Sunday/month with a meal (inviting neighbors/friends)
One Sunday meeting to discuss the Church’s future (for which we would bring a variety of resources to help them facilitate this discussion)
SESSION #2
Saturday November 22 2025
Forming a Thicker Shared Life with each other and our Neighbors
We will explore how to form a shared, multi-vocational leadership team as well as how to form a more intentional shared life with each other that is more porous and welcoming with our neighbors and friends.
SESSION #4
Saturday March 28 2026
Making a difference in your neighborhood or city.
In this session, we will learn how to form new initiatives such as community meals, social enterprises and alternative forms of housing.
SESSION #5
Saturday April 25 2026
Building upon the past year for your future/charting your future
In this session we will explore the practice of discernment as we look for the signs of God’s movement and action among us and in our neighbourhoods and cities.