Church Leadership Development (CLD) is a training initiative of General Baptist Ministries designed to help pastors and church leaders grow in biblical understanding, personal leadership, and practical ministry skills. The program is built to be accessible, affordable, and immediately applicable to local church ministry.

CLD is designed for current and emerging church leaders, including:

• Pastors, full-time, part-time, and bi-vocational

• Church staff members

• Elders, deacons, and ministry team leaders

• Lay leaders who are actively serving or preparing to serve

• Faithful church members who sense a call to deeper leadership and ministry

No. While many participants are pastors, CLD is intentionally designed for church leaders at every level. In fact, churches often get the greatest benefit when multiple leaders take courses together, creating shared language and leadership culture.

Yes. Several CLD courses, especially Leading Yourself and Leading Others, are ideal for new or developing leaders. The courses meet participants where they are and help establish healthy leadership foundations early.

No prior theological training is required. Courses are designed to be theologically sound but clearly taught, with practical assignments that help leaders apply what they are learning directly in their ministry context.

While CLD is a ministry of General Baptist Ministries, the courses are open to leaders from any church or denomination. The content is broadly evangelical and focused on local church health and leadership.

CLD courses are designed for people already serving in ministry. Most courses require:

• Weekly reading or video content

• Reflection and discussion

• Practical ministry-based assignments

The workload is intentionally designed to be realistic for busy church leaders.

Yes. This is one of the primary goals of CLD. Many churches use CLD to train future leaders, develop ministry team leaders, invest in staff and key volunteers, and create a shared leadership framework within the church.

The goal of CLD is not just information, but formation. CLD exists to help leaders grow in character, competence, and confidence so their churches can be healthier and more faithful in their mission.