Leaders Way Cohort 2026-2027 on a staircase

The Leader’s Way Certificate Program

Transforming Leaders. A Daring Incubator for New Possibilities in Ministry

A daring incubator for new possibilities in ministry, the Leader’s Way certificate program gathers clergy leaders from all denominations who are ready to stand at the intersection of faithfulness and innovation. 

Through an immersive week at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale in June and seven months online, Fellows learn from distinguished Yale faculty and visiting luminaries to develop an Innovative Ministry Project to better serve their communities. Peer cohorts and dedicated mentors walk alongside Fellows throughout the year, providing support, accountability, and the warmth of a deeply collegial community. 

The Leader’s Way Fellows complete the program with a Yale certificate and a rekindled calling to build more vibrant, life-giving communities of faith. 

By far, the best continuing education I have ever had.

—

Kirk L. ’24

  • two women in classroom
  • man and Yale mascot
  • woman and dog -- Yale mascot
  • smiling people outdoors

Five Pillars of The Leader’s Way

Set on the historic campus of Yale University and Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, the five-day residential experience immerses Fellows in a rich environment of shared meals, daily prayer, and community living, building the deep bonds of trust and friendship that will sustain courageous learning throughout the program and long after it ends. Download a sample schedule to learn more.

Through communal prayer, contemplative practice, and collaborative reflection, this learning pilgrimage creates space to slow down, listen deeply for the Spirit’s guidance, and build authentic community along the way.

Following the residential week at Yale, Fellows continue their journey through monthly online sessions and mentor-led peer groups to deepen their skills, integrate learning into active practice, and receive ongoing support for their Innovative Ministry Projects. Over the course of the program, Fellows build a lasting global network of innovators who support and inspire one another across denominations and across the globe. 

The Leader’s Way equips Fellows with the principles and practices of Adaptive Leadership, thoughtfully reimagined for church and ministry settings, providing a powerful framework for navigating complexity, inspiring congregational transformation, and leading with courage and clarity. Drawing on contemporary theological research from distinguished Yale faculty alongside rich case studies and an immersive visit to Yale’s renowned Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Fellows uncover both cutting-edge insights and timeless examples of bold innovation to inform and inspire their leadership today.

Over seven months, Fellows incubate an Innovative Ministry Project, a practical experiment designed to address a real adaptive challenge in their ministry context, applying the learnings of the program to develop and test new ways of serving their congregations and communities.

Program Details:

I feel a seismic shift in myself — in my confidence, my courage for trying new things, in connections with colleagues in ministry, in my outlook, and so much more that I readily attribute to The Leader’s Way program… I know I will continue to benefit for years to come as will, hopefully, my congregation and others to whom I minister.

—

Ann Tillman ’24

Week in Residence

The Leader’s Way begins with a five-day residential program in the heart of Yale that integrates practical skill building, spiritual formation, and theological reflection. Yale’s renowned campus and rich resources will spark participants’ imagination. The multi-dimensional and multi-disciplinary learning will include:

  • Inspiring Case Studies. We’ll study innovative examples where Episcopal faith communities have been formed and transformed as we contemplate what makes for durable change and imagine what innovations the Spirit might be inspiring in participants’ own communities.
  • Theological Reflection. Drawing on Yale’s distinguished faculty, we will explore fresh insights from recent scholarship that speak directly to the reality of parish life today.
  • Personal faith pilgrimage. This learning pilgrimage is also an intentional retreat for the heart and mind as we create the needed space for contemplative practice, silence, reflection, and communal prayer.

Download a sample schedule to learn more.

Dates

Residential Dates 
June 7-11, 2027 

Online Sessions 
Online monthly large group sessions follow for six months, with particular focus on advanced management skills that will propel effective change in communities.  Sessions are synchronous but will be recorded for those with conflicts. 

Sessions will be held via Zoom from Noon-2:00 pm EST on 
July 20, 2027 
September 7, 2027
October 12, 2027
November 9, 2027
December 7, 2027
January 4, 2028
February 8, 2028

Mentoring and Cohorts 
Mentoring and small group meetings provide support around the innovative project that Fellows have developed to meet an adaptive leadership challenge from their current ministry. Meeting times will be determined by the availability of each small group.  

Tuition & Aid

Tuition: $3500

Berkeley Divinity School will award a very limited amount of half scholarships primarily to those Episcopal Clergy who can demonstrate significant financial need. Most fellows pay tuition from personal funds, church continuing education allowances, or diocesan and denominational sources.

Application Process:

Applications for the program starting in summer 2027 are open. Apply at https://online.yale.edu/the-leaders-way

Admission is limited. Because we seek to create a rich environment where the depth of community relationships fosters the depth of learning, we will select only 30 fellows for each cohort. We accept applicants on a rolling basis. Therefore, we encourage you to both apply early and share with us any information that makes you a strong candidate so we can choose fellows who are the best fit for our learning goals. Admission to the Leader’s Way will be communicated on December 15, February 15, April 15. The final application deadline is May 1. 

Map of where fellows have come from

The Leader’s Way fellows come from all around the country and all around the world.

Learn More

Yale Certificate

Fellows earn a Yale certificate for completing The Leader’s Way.

Sample Certificate

For more information about this program,

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