Rev. Scott McKirdy and Rev. Lou Whitmer have more than 50 years of collective experience in ministry. These two leaders have opened themselves to new ideas through a shared learning venture in the Non-Profit Church Leadership Certificate program—NPCL.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to learn with colleagues. It is a great opportunity to stretch myself. It is refreshing to look at things through a new lens," says McKirdy.

Scott McKirdy chats with Allison Galbreath during the Festival in the Park at Annual Conference 2019.

The two are part of the second cohort, which began in 2019. The NCPL is a collaboration between Dakota Wesleyan, the Dakotas and Minnesota Conferences, and the Lilly Grant Foundation. The program is for clergy across the Dakotas and the Minnesota Conferences, who are seeking to build upon their business skills and apply their newfound knowledge to their local churches.

Diane Owen, director for the Dakotas-Minnesota Area Lilly Grant, offered more details. "We began this collaboration about 18 months ago and launched our first cohort in July of 2018. The program is designed for our clergy, especially those who have the potential or interest in leading more complex church systems—larger church systems—but are not limited to those. We have had pastors with smaller church systems involved and they have benefited tremendously."

Whitmer agrees that pastors from all sizes of congregations can benefit from the program. "Sometimes, you have to adjust ideas, but most of the concepts that are presented can be applied to your setting. You have to be creative and think out of the box," says Whitmer.

Rev. Lou Whitmer, serving North Highland UMC in Aberdeen, SD.

McKirdy and Whitmer describe their step back into the classroom as exciting and challenging. "There is a lot of excitement for me around the ideas, the chance to reflect with colleagues. It was a challenge to get back into academics, especially online learning. That was new for me," says McKirdy.

"When you are online, it is easy to get going down the wrong path. The instructors are gracious and guide you," says Whitmer. "I appreciate the opportunity to work on a timeline that fits with my full-time role as a pastor."

The stewardship focus of the first courses has benefited both McKirdy and Whitmer. They have been able to take what they are learning in class and apply it directly to the congregations they serve. 

"It is often difficult to talk about money and resources in churches," says McKirdy, who serves at Spearfish UMC, in Spearfish, South Dakota. "This program has opened up a whole bank of resources for me to work with and share with the congregation."

Whitmer hopes to stretch her congregation, North Highland UMC, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to look at all types of stewardship—time, talent, and financial. "I hope we can stretch ourselves to look at all the ways that we can serve," she says.

The program is making a difference for leaders and their congregations. Dr. Alisha Vincent, professor and leader of the program at Dakota Wesleyan University, shares several positive impacts and outcomes. Read an impact statement here.

Vincent says, "We are seeing even more positive outcomes from the second cohort than the first. I think we've hit a sweet spot with the applied course content and connection with the professional coaches. It's amazing to see the growth in pastoral capacity for some of these administrative leadership responsibilities in just a few short months."

Applications are being accepted for the 2020-2021 cohort of this program at Dakota Wesleyan University. The application deadline is April 15, apply here. View details and a calendar for the 2020-2021 NPCL here.

View a list of applied projects for the 2019-2020 cohort here. 

The 2019-20 Non-Profit Church Leadership Certificate class met for the first time at Dakota Wesleyan University's Sherman Center.