By Krista Leonard
Alabama Baptists’ annual Leader Lab leadership development conference has been chosen as a national model. The North American Mission Board selected Leader Lab, organized by the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM), to promote through its Next Level Leadership Network (NLLN) and will co-sponsor the conference with the SBOM.
“The training is the best leadership development that we offer as a convention,” said Teman Knight, director of the SBOM office of leadership and church health, which oversees Leader Lab.
Bert Ross, national consultant for NLLN, said the Alabama conference was chosen as a model due to its consistent nature and ability to further participants’ leadership knowledge.
“They do it well, follow up and address the real needs” of participants, Ross said.
This year’s Leader Lab will take place July 22–25 at the Baptist Building in Montgomery. Richard Blackaby, author of numerous spiritual formation books and president of Blackaby Ministries International, will teach in the general sessions in correlation with his book “Unlimiting God.”
The conference will also offer breakout sessions with four curriculum choices, each focusing on a different part of leadership. Curriculum one focuses on establishing the model of Jesus as the ultimate leader and teaching how to communicate effectively. Curriculum two uses the principles of Leadership Greatness, an NLLN workshop, and focuses on emotional intelligence. Curriculum three focuses on leading others to become better leaders. Curriculum four focuses on the six characteristics of a God-honoring ministry team. Leader Lab participants will also take a field trip to the Statehouse in downtown Montgomery to meet with Gov. Bob Riley and a state Supreme Court justice who will give leadership tips.
Previous conference participants have found Leader Lab to be not only a good experience but also a good source of knowledge.
“Leader Lab is very, very beneficial,” said Al Hood, director of missions for Winston Baptist Association. “It is a great learning experience. It teaches you about yourself and about other people.”
The conference also serves as an outlet to meet others dealing with similar situations.
“It’s a reminder that you are not alone,” said Tom Simic, pastor of Winterboro Baptist Church in Coosa River Baptist Association.
For many people, going once just isn’t enough. Hood said he and his wife have been to Leader Lab five out of the last six years. He is planning on attending again this year.
The conference is open to any church leader — pastors, staff ministers, ministers’ spouses, directors of missions and laymen.
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