The only comprehensive small church ministry training program for volunteers and those who lead them.
Equipping you with successful strategies and leadership skills to support and empower your small church!
Be the first to know when the The Small Church Academy opens again for new members!
Small Church ministry isn't LESS,
but it is DIFFERENT.
In small churches ...
people struggle with burnout trying to keep multiple ministries going
many end up as "accidental leaders" and don't know where to start or what to do next
volunteers & ministry leaders aren't always on the same page
pastors are busy - often bi-vocational - without the time they want to train leaders
It doesn't have to be like that!
What you really want is to ...
confidently say 'yes' to the right things
plan successful programs and events
lead confidently and grow in ministry skills
enjoy balance instead of burnout
be part of a church that's making an impact
hear "well done" at the finish line
It's totally possible ... and we can help!
Did you know that one trained person can make a huge difference in your small church?
The Small Church Academy
comprehensive ministry training for immediate application
in your small church
Vision
Leadership
Communication
Building Relationships
Digital Strategies
Recruiting Volunteers
Promoting Events
Facilitating Groups
Public Speaking
Planning
Budgeting
Delegating
Dealing with Conflict
Growing Disciples
Leading thru Change
... and those are just the highlights!
Hi, I'm Laurie!
My first ministry job was in a church of 3500 when I was 22 years old. After 3 decades of ministry in very different churches, I know the difference between big churches and small.
Small church ministry is no less challenging, and in some ways it’s tougher than big church ministry.
Unfortunately, most small churches keep trying to use big church strategies that were never meant for them. This leads to fast failure and defeat.
I help people in small churches redefine ministry success to align with Jesus’ way and the truth of the gospel. I teach leadership skills and small church strategies that work. The results? More joy in ministry than you ever imagined – and greater impact too.
I’m a pastor’s wife and small church ministry mentor in Tucson, AZ, where my family has been serving in the same small church for 15 years.
What our members say ...
Learning + Support
The Small Church Academy is small church strategy wrapped in relationship and supported by specialized ministry consultation.
We learn best in community.
Each monthly unit is specific to small church ministry and includes:
- 20 bite-size video modules each month
This training is designed for busy volunteers and those who lead them. Most members in our program work full-time jobs and are already juggling multiple responsibilites. Our short modules – only 5-7 minutes each with specific applications – are the perfect formula!
- Downloadable unit workbook with printable calendar
If you like a checklist, staying organized, and sharing what you learn to help your church, you’re gonna love this! Each month is organized with a suggested timeline, action steps, and more.
- Actionable ministry application and resources
Every module is designed for immediate application to grow as a leader and make a difference in your small church. Resources like PDFs, templates, and ministry tools are created not just for The Academy students, but also for their churches.
- Weekly ministry consultation and individual support
Members of The Academy are welcomed into a members-only Facebook community for on-going individual support and ministry consultation to address real-time challenges.
The Small Church Academy equips you with effective strategies and solutions for both you and your church, with continued support throughout and beyond!
Take time to apply what you learn
Share with your church as you go
Celebrate along the way
Earn a certification
Still wondering if this is for you?
More testimonies from our members ...
FAQs
Most programs similar to ours cost significantly more and do not include the support, application, consultation, & celebration elements. Because our desire is to help volunteers and staff in small churches (not high-paid professionals whose businesses are footing the bill!), the program currently costs $39/month. Paying a full year at once gives you one month free. While we anticipate a price increase in 2022, those who join at $39/month will remain there.
Our whole goal is to help you help your church! The Small Church Academy is designed for individual study, consultation, celebration, and achievement. With bite-size daily modules and application, The Academy is not designed for group study. While the modules and support elements are not shareable, each monthly unit contains PDFs, templates, and tools to use in your church. We want you to share what you’re learning and we’ll show you how to do it best.
Quick answer: to have greater impact & momentum! Longer answer: This program is all about developing individuals in leadership in small church ministry! While one trained person can make a huge impact in your church, imagine how much more impact 2 or 3 trained people could make! Membership in The Academy includes individual support in our private SCA Facebook community, access to weekly live consultation calls, and community Zoom meetups as well. All of this supports the application of the learning modules. Bottom line: Multiple people in one church means lots of learning and support for multiple individuals in your church = greater impact!
That’s up to you and your church! We’ve seen a few different scenarios for our students.
Nope! Last year we opened the program to men also and had a few pastors jump in immediately! We’ll adding testimonials from our men as soon as we have a chance to catch up.
Registration to join The Small Church Academy opens with each of our quarterly conferences and remains open for about a week. We’ve found the momentum from our conferences leads perfectly into engaged members who are ready to get moving and make a difference in their churches! In addition, people joining at the same time creates a cohort feeling that increases and supports applied learning. This leads to higher follow-through and more impact on your church!
No keeping up necessary! Most of our members have full-time jobs and other commitments, so you’re in good company! That’s why we design bite-size modules perfect for busy lives! The Small Church Academy is designed for you to apply as you learn. If slower helps you put things into action, then go for it! Each monthly unit has a suggested calendar to keep you moving and motivated, but there is no requirement to complete units in a certain amount of time. You will be celebrated at any pace you choose!
Absolutely. The Small Church Academy includes pastors, church staff, lay ministry leaders, volunteers … you name it! The elements we teach are unique to The Small Church Academy. Even those in our program with advanced ministry titles and leadership degrees have called our program amazing – so glad they found it now and wishing they had it years ago. If you want to grow in ministry and leadership skills, join us!
The 28 Month-long Learning Units Include:
- The Uniquely Beautiful Small Church Ministry
- Develop a Vision for Your Ministry + Introducing the Ministry Funnel
- Plan Your Ministry Year
- Skills & Strategy for Relational Ministry
- Get Organized: How to Fit Ministry into a Full Life
- The Four I’s of Volunteers: Part I
- How to Motivate Anyone to Action
- Planning & Promoting Successful Events
- Confident & Effective Public Speaking for Anyone
- Changing Your Thoughts + Powerful Habits to Embrace for Change
- Develop a Culture of Caring & Hospitality
- The Keys to Great Communication
- Structure Your Ministry for Accountability, Consistency, & Growth
- The Four I’s of Volunteers: Part II
- Prioritizing Personal Discipleship
- Delegation & Evaluation: Two Necessary Dance Partners
- The Ministry Funnel: Outreach & Community
- How to Facilitate Small Groups Like a Pro
- Considerations for Special Circumstances and Special Needs
- Promote Your Events for the Widest Right Reach
- Gaining Support: Turn Uninterested People into Fans of Your Ministry
- The Ministry Funnel: Spiritual Growth & Mission
- Dealing with Difficult People
- The Money Side of Ministry
- Dealing with Ministry Failure & Disappointment
- Effectively Partner with Other Ministries & Community Groups
- How to Lead through Change
- Best Social Media Practices & Platforms to Encourage, Promote, Relate, and Teach
The Small Church Academy is a comprehensive & sequential program, where each unit builds on the ones before. Specific ministry questions on any topic will be answered with real-time consultation in our members-only community, but the full teaching units are in order, on purpose.
What are you waiting for?
If you want to grow as a leader and empower your small church to make an impact, jump in!