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The Bennett J. Sims

INSTITUTE FOR SERVANT LEADERSHIP

An educational ministry grounded in the understanding that the servanthood of God was manifested in the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth

Activities

Transforming Leadership in the Pattern and Power of Jesus of Nazareth

The Institute's mission is to provide opportunities for the spiritual formation and leadership development of people who are called to be servant leaders. Its work and focus is that of convener, teacher and nurturer through conferences, programs, retreats and publications.

Conferences

The annual conference is the anchor of the Institute's yearly activity. Always relevant to the theme of servanthood and servant leadership, the speakers we have been able to secure are some of the most sought-after of our time. Past notable speakers include Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu; sociologist and author Parker Palmer; author and ethicist Sharon Daloz Parks; consultant and author Margaret Wheatley; award-winning author, editor and television producer Mark Barasch; and author, lecturer and former Religion editor for Publishers Weekly Phyllis Tickle, just to name a few. The conference site is Kanuga Conferences in Hendersonville, NC.

joan_chittister

A summary of the 2009 conference titled "Sacred Activism: Framing a New Story" will be available on this page shortly. The engaging slate of speakers included Bishop Eugene Sutton, David Korten, Brian McLaren, Courtney Cowart and Sr. Joan Chittister, all pictured above.

Here's what a couple of the conference attendees had to say:

"Thank you a thousand times for planning and facilitating this conference. It was a transforming experience - touched my heart, mind and soul."

"Amazing speakers! It was great that they participated in the entire conference schedule, not just their keynotes."

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Programs

Young Adult Initiative: This program, in the form of a weekend retreat, is designed to provide young adults with an understanding of the principles of servant leadership. Participants will explore a new way of being that has the power to transform human community.

Clergy Initiative: Geared toward new clergy, this four-day retreat will explore effective leadership models for the parish setting. Modules will include: Community Transformation, Creative Human Relationships, Mentoring, and Servant Leadership.

Parish Partnership Initiative: This initiative is designed to support parishes in a move away from the authoritarian, top-down practice of leadership that is dominant in today's society and, instead, to introduce the principles of servant leadership and, over the course of two to three years with the collaboration of both the laity and clergy, to bring about the transformation of the life of the whole community.

Congregational Leadership Development: This program, a natural extension of our Parish Partnership Initiative, is currently being developed and is designed to coordinate and sustain an integrated program for training laity and congregations for authentic leadership - ministry within the church. It is designed to be in harmony with existing program initiatives which are available for ordained clergy.

For more information on these programs or to discuss a retreat designed specifically for your group, please contact Martin Darby at martin@servleader.org. Upcoming retreats will be announced on the home page.

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Publications

Turning Point is the ISL's semi-annual newsletter for its constituents and friends. Typically distributed in the Spring and Fall, each issue contains thought-provoking articles and updates on the Institute's work-at-hand, as well as Staff and Trustee news. Additionally, the Spring editions traditionally highlight the most recent conference.

Please visit the Newsletter page to peruse the most recent issues of Turning Point, as well as some selected archives.

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