Pastoral Leadership Pathway

The Pastoral Leadership Pathway is a transformational growth journey for emerging and experienced pastoral leaders seeking to integrate theology, leadership, and spiritual depth. Through retreats, coaching, practitioner engagement, and a supportive learning cohort, participants are equipped to lead healthy, mission-shaped communities with wisdom, skill, resilience, and theological robustness. This pathway nurtures leaders who are spiritually grounded, practically skilled, and deeply attentive to God’s work in the world. 

Laidlaw Centre for Church Leadership offers a pastoral leadership growth experience for: 

  • Theology students exploring pastoral leadership  

  • Theology students who are experienced pastoral leaders.  

The programme is designed to accelerate practical ministry development and support deep theological reflection. 

Express Interest
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About the Programme

Annual Retreat

The Pastoral Leadership Pathway Retreat is a three-day immersive formation experience designed to nurture spiritually grounded, emotionally healthy, and mission-focused leaders.

Through teaching, reflective practice, worship, coaching, prayer, and honest conversation, participants explore themes such as leadership strengths, the inner life, emotionally healthy leadership, prayer, and pastoral resilience. Together, the cohort engages real ministry challenges, learns from experienced practitioners, and creates space to discern God’s voice, deepen self-awareness, and grow in wisdom, character, and leadership capacity for long-term ministry. 

Coaching

Each member of the Pastoral Leadership Pathway will have access to four 1-hour coaching sessions with our Senior Coaches. These sessions provide a trusted space to gain encouragement, clarity, and discern next steps, ensuring each member of the Pastoral Leadership Pathway are accompanied and well-supported. 

Monthly Online Gatherings

Each month the Pastoral Leadership Pathway will gather online for two hours where each session features expert input and training from a variety of experienced ministry practitioners. These gatherings combine input with interactive discussion and fosters ongoing learning, skill development, community connection, and practical application. 

Access to Renowned Christian Speakers

As part of the Pastoral Leadership Pathway the cohort will benefit from input and proximity to international and local guests who bring fresh insight, diverse experience, and practical wisdom. These sessions happen ad hoc, and invitations are sent to the Pastoral Leadership Pathway to attend when available.  

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Theology Programmes

The Pastoral Leadership Pathway is the cohort experience for students enrolled in one of the following Pastoral Leadership programmes from Laidlaw College.

For information on the Pastoral Leadership Programmes and Fees at Laidlaw College click here.

  • Graduate Certificate in Theology (Pastoral Leadership) GradCertTh(PL)

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Theology (Pastoral Leadership) PGCertTh(PL)

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (Pastoral Leadership) PGDipTh(PL)

  • Masters of Theology (Pastoral Leadership) MTh(PL)

  • Bachelor of Theology BTh (second or third year students interested in Pastoral Leadership)

  • “I really felt a lot of the content was timely. It seems to flow on with things, and questions in my own life. The ‘fire side’ chats with Strahan were a real highlight. Very practical.”

  • “It’s been a real sticking point for me around reprioritisation of my efforts and also to deepen my own relationship with God through just being still. It’s a been a real missing point in my life and I didn’t realise that.”

  • "Thank you, thank you. This has restored my passion for ministry"