In cooperation with the South Central Jurisdiction (SCJ) Foundations and with support from the Lilly Endowment, TMF’s Leadership Ministry offers the Courageous Leadership Imperative (CLI), a learning network for courageous leaders. The purpose of CLI is to embolden leaders who are able to stand at what Richard Rohr has called “the edge of the inside.”

How was the Courageous Leadership Imperative launched?

CLI opened with a large group experience - Launch 1.0. This event was designed to create a network for dynamic leaders, expand imagination for what’s possible, and embolden courage. It occurred October 2018, with 125 exceptional leaders gathering in St. Louis to take part in this one-of-a-kind opportunity.

CLI Cohorts are the next step.

CLI offers small group cohorts, consisting of two cohort tracks: A Leading from the Center track and a Leading from the Edge track. It is intended to gather high capacity leaders for learning and networking so that they can 1) expand their courage (and capacity) to innovate and try new things for the sake of reaching new people for Christ, and 2) connect with other courageous leaders from the SCJ for the sake of creating a network of learning and innovation throughout the jurisdiction. In the video below, listen to Shellie Ross and Pastor David Briggs share why they are excited about participating.

The Courageous Leadership Imperative is one of many creative ways TMF's Leadership Ministry is inviting church leaders from the SCJ to expand imagination, develop resilience, and innovate for the sake of mission. The launch and cohort experiences are meant to embolden and encourage leaders who are shaping the church today.

What was the next iteration of Launch?

In October 2019, Launch 2.0 was held in Little Rock, AR. It took the Launch 1.0 concept to another level, enhancing the idea of pitching innovative ideas by giving congregational teams space to dream and plan. Teams from across the SCJ attended for three fully packed days to learn from one another, dream about purpose, and leave with a plan to innovate in their context.