The Leader's Way FAQs

The Leader’s Way is for church leaders, lay or ordained, Episcopalian or not. While the program is rooted in the Episcopal and Anglican tradition and designed primarily for clergy, leaders of all backgrounds are most welcome to apply. It is for people in Christian ministry who have been actively serving for 5 or more years who want to expand self-awareness, reconnect with their calling, and imagine what’s possible in ministry and the Church. This program is for people who understand that this shift requires deep soul work and a stretching of the heart and mind in ways that can be uncomfortable yet incredibly rewarding. 

Yes. Because we seek to create a rich environment where the depth of community relationships fosters the depth of learning, we will select only 28 fellows for this cohort. We will receive many more applications than we can accept to the program. Therefore, we encourage you to both apply early and to share with us any information that makes you a strong candidate so we can select fellows who are the best fit for our learning goals.

• Discovery of practical skills and insights into how to navigate change to create more vibrant Christian community through case study and an adaptive leadership framework
• Knowledge of recent theological scholarship that particularly resonates with needs of contemporary parishes and communities through conversations with leading theologians at Yale and elsewhere.
• The development of an innovative ministry project to meet an adaptive challenge in your community
• Critical understanding of our contemporary cultural context and an acknowledgement of the opportunities for the Gospel to engage with and transform today’s world  
• Rediscovery and renewal of one’s calling for ministry
• Revitalized commitment to prayer and a fresh understanding of what creates wellness and a sustainable a life of ministry
• Deepened community of friendship and professional support

Yes. While we will prioritize Episcopal leaders, a number of spots will be open for clergy and lay ministers of other denominations.

No. The residential program and the online program are both integral to the successful completion of the program.

The Leader’s Way will be led by distinguished Yale faculty and senior figures in the Church and from the non-profit, business, and public policy worlds. All faculty are chosen for their experience as leaders, their commitment to leading from faith and values, and the wisdom they can offer emerging new leaders.

Tuition is $3500 and includes all components of the entire program. Tuition includes: books, materials, post-residential online learning, all accommodations, meals, and tours during the residential stay at Yale (one evening will be free for you to cover your own dinner expense). 

Berkeley Divinity School will award a very limited amount of half scholarships primarily to Episcopal clergy who can demonstrate significant financial need. Most fellows will be expected to pay the full $3500 tuition from personal funds, church continuing education allowances, or diocesan/denominational sources. Scholarships are awarded on a first come first served basis, so we encourage applicants to apply as soon as possible.

Non-Episcopal clergy may apply for a half scholarship, but priority will be given to Episcopal leaders.

Full scholarships will be limited to international applicants only.

There is no fee to apply.

Yes. It’s important to Berkeley that applicants with disabilities have equal opportunities to participate in The Leader’s Way, and that participants with disabilities fully participate in our process and our program. Berkeley will extend reasonable accommodations so that qualified applicants and Fellows can participate in the selection process and the Fellowship unless doing so would impose an undue burden on the Fellowship. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance in completing the application should contact our team at brandon.nappi@yale.edu to discuss the accommodation process.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Admission to the Leader’s Way will be communicated on October 15, December 15, March 15, April 15, and May 15. The final application deadline is June 1.

Your application will be reviewed by the Executive Director of Leadership Programs and the Berkeley’s Leadership committee.

We believe that the Leader’s Way has a deep impact throughout the Church. Not only will the program impact the individuals in attendance, but the Leader’s Way will have a transformative impact on parishes. Vibrant parishes then become leaven for entire diocese as we seek to build a critical mass of thriving parish communities.

The Leader’s Way requires 5 days in residence at Yale and 3 hours per month July-February (skipping August). Significant time each month will also be devoted developing and implementing your innovative ministry project at your parish. The monthly two hour session will take place on: July 22, September 9, October 7, November 11, December 9, January 6, February 10 from Noon-2 pm EST by Zoom.

During the residential experience at Yale, days are a lively mix of prayer, active learning, tours, site seeing, small group dialogue, rest, and free time. Evening activities are optional. 

Yes, a certificate of completion will be offered at the end of the program. Full participation in the program is required in order to receive the certificate.

Cancellations before May 1, 2024 receive a full refund, less Eventbrite’s credit card fees. 
Cancellations between May 1-May 31, 2024 receive a 50% refund, less Eventbrite’s credit card fees.
No refunds are offered after June 1, 2024 except in cases of emergency and illness.

Yes. We warmly welcome our friends from around the Anglican communion to apply. A simple tourist visa is all that is required.

English proficiency is required.

Arrival is between 1:00-5:00 pm on Monday, June 23, 2025 the first day of the program, and departure is after lunch around 12:30 pm on Friday, June 27,  2025 the final day of the program.

Housing and meals are provided in the heart of Yale at the university’s newest residential colleges. Participants stay in single, air-conditioned rooms. Participants and staff will be supplied with access cards and bedroom keys. Access cards allow entry to designated gates and group areas including the assigned residential college dining halls and classrooms.

We have put together a packing list for Leader’s Way Fellows. Staying in a Yale dorm is more like going to camp than going to a hotel, so we encourage fellows to bring along creature comforts, as they would for summer camp!

The bedrooms are eco-friendly and therefore air-chilled, not air-conditioned. The residential college used in the Leader’s Way is the centerpiece in Yale’s push towards a more sustainable campus. This state of the art building has been designed to LEED Gold certification standards. What does this mean for your stay? The building uses chilled air instead of forced air. Unlike most air-conditioning units, this does not involve a fan to blow the cool air. Instead, piping with cold water flows through each room, cools the air around it, sinks (because cold air sinks and hot air rises) and passively cools the space. The set point is 78 degrees.  There is a little knob in each room that can be turned left or right. If you turn it left, it will decrease the temp 2 degrees and right, increase it up 2 degrees. That means each room can be set to maintain a 76-degree environment.

Yale Conferences & Events and Yale Hospitality are proud to offer outstanding meals in our iconic dining halls each day, making sure your students are well prepared for class each day. The staff in each hall are prepared to make sure that each participant walks out of their meal feeling recharged and ready for the rest of their day. During one evening, participants will be free to dine in any one of New Haven’s amazing restaurants at their own expense. On the last evening, a special banquet will be held in one of our favorite New Haven eateries.

Free wireless internet access for visitors (SSID “Yale Guest”) is available in all academic and residential buildings on campus, as well as in certain public outdoor spaces.

Laundry facilities are located in the basement of each residential location, with washers and dryers for your use. Washers and dryers can be operated using coins or a credit card and are activated by the payment machine in the laundry room. The cost per cycle is $1.25 and does not include detergent, which can be purchased at the Yale Bookstore.

The linen packs include one twin XL fitted sheet, one flat sheet, one pillowcase, three towels, and a blanket. All bedrooms in all residential colleges will contain a pillow regardless of whether or not you purchase linens. If purchased, linen packs will be handed out at your check-in. Bringing your own pillow, if possible, is recommended.

A car is not needed to fully enjoy Yale and New Haven. If you are arriving on campus with a car, parking will be provided at no extra charge. The location of the lot will be provided in your welcome email that you’ll receive in the days before the program.

Yale provides free shuttle service around campus, including to and from the Pierson-Sage Garage. Shuttle schedules and routes are available on the Yale Parking and Transportation Options page or via the TransLoc Mobile app for Android and iOS. A private shuttle will bring program participants from the residential college to Yale Divinity School where all the sessions will be held.

The university strongly encourages all students, faculty, staff, postdoctoral/postgraduate trainees, and visitors to receive all COVID-19 vaccinations that are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and for which they are eligible. Learn more about Yale’s COVID policy.