Lay leadership is an established key to the AFLC's vision of free and living congregations. The Leaders' Training Program (LTP) provides an organized framework for the training and development of our licensed lay pastors, leaders, and for those interested in serving.
IN-PERSON & REMOTE SESSIONS COVER MINISTRY SKILLS
Quarterly LTP sessions provide training on topics such as preaching, teaching, leading, and shepherding, all while featuring the AFLC’s understanding of the congregation. Three of these sessions are remote, and one, Summer Institute of Theology (SIT), is in-person at the FLBCS campus in Plymouth, Minnesota. Participants may join LTP at any point during the year.
MENTORSHIP PROVIDED BY EXPERIENCED AFLC PASTORS
Support and mentorship by an established pastor is central to the LTP experience. Participants will meet with a mentor for 45-60 minutes following each training session to provide further guidance and encouragement and discuss tangible ministry applications.
LTP will point participants to their local AFLC congregational pastor for a mentoring review meeting within each session of the program. If a participant’s local congregation is without a pastor, the LTP will make recommendations for another local pastor. The LTP provides licensed lay pastors with an AFLC pastor mentor.
LAY LEADERSHIP: DEVELOPING SKILLS FOR MINISTRY TO THE LOCAL CONGREGATION
The LTP is an opportunity to sharpen the calling and gifts that the Lord has given lay leaders, developing pastoral skills like preaching and shepherding for the sake of congregational involvement. Lay leaders are invited to participate in remote and in-person LTP sessions as they have interest and availability. Communication with Pastor Jason Holt is encouraged for documentation of involvement.
For those interested in the possibility of becoming a licensed lay pastor, involvement in the LTP is a helpful perspective of the equipping involved for on-going effective service of a local AFLC congregation.
LTP: ONE PROGRAM WITH TWO TRACKS
LICENSED LAY PASTORS: REQUIREMENTS NOW CONSOLIDATED WITHIN THE LTP
The LTP provides a single sequence to map requirements for licensed lay pastors each year. In addition to attending Summer Institute of Theology (SIT), the Coordinating Committee requests the following:
- Established licensed lay pastors: Participation in one of the three remote sessions offered during the 2024–2025 LTP season.
- Licensed lay pastors who began since the last SIT: Participation in two of the three remote sessions during 2024-2025.
- Permanently licensed lay pastors: Permanent license status eliminates the requirement to attend Summer Institute of Theology (SIT) sessions as well as LTP remote sessions.
AN AFFORDABLE & ACCESSIBLE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
Because of the AFLC Coordinating Committee’s commitment to serving congregations, pastors, and leaders in the AFLC, the financial cost for the LTP is low. Individual events within the schedule like Summer Institute of Theology (SIT) will have registration costs, but the additional remote features of LTP will not add significant expense to you or your congregation’s finances. Some remote sessions may have a small fee (up to $100) for materials, but most remote sessions will be available free of charge.
LTP & THE FREE LUTHERAN SEMINARY
The LTP is an equipping environment that the AFLC Coordinating Committee is making available through the Office of the AFLC President to grant guidance, encouragement, and mentoring for those interested in spiritual leadership. The LTP is not an effort of the Free Lutheran Seminary (FLS) or the Free Lutheran Bible College. Some who participate in the LTP may be led by the Lord to apply as a student in the Free Lutheran Seminary. Others may find their calling remains as a local congregational lay leader. Still others may be prompted by the Spirit to be a licensed lay pastor. We will trust the Lord who calls with His leading in each believer’s life.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
View the 2024-2025 LTP Schedule Here:
2024 SIT Essays:
Contact Pastor Jason Holt for More Info: