Seeking Emerging Leaders

One of the important emphases of our General Conference in the past couple of years has been identifying and equipping our younger and emerging leaders.  Young adult life is a time of transitions and setting the patterns which will shape the rest of a life.  SDBs have understood the importance of investing in young leaders and empowering them to serve, both in their local contexts and in the network of churches more broadly.

The 2023-24 Emerging Leaders Cohort

Last year, our executive director, Carl Greene, led a cohort of Emerging leaders to consider their challenges, opportunities, and callings to aid them in taking their next steps of leadership.  Supported by Miriam Berg, Helen Goodrich, John Pethtel, and Nick Kersten, the group met for a retreat in October 2023, followed by regular communication and further opportunities for engagement.  This initial cohort engaged together and separately throughout the year, including studying a book together, and collectively engaged with the work of the Conference in a deeper way as they returned to their churches and ministries.  In addition, several emerging leaders explored new opportunities and callings through internships over the past twelve months, some of which are continuing into this new ministry year.

We are now seeking emerging leaders for another cohort for the 2024-25 ministry year to participate in a similar experience. This experience includes the second annual Emerging Leaders Retreat, which will be held in Janesville, WI at the SDB Center from October 25-27, 2024.  This year, instead of limiting participation to those who have already engaged in Conference ministry, we are seeking nominations from churches and church leaders for potential participants.

Potential candidates should generally fit our definition of an emerging leader, in addition to being able to travel for the retreat in October.  The best candidates would be described by more of these qualifications:

…between the ages of 18-39

…is closely engaged (member or regular attender) with a local SDB expression of faith

…is engaged in some manner of leadership in their local SDB expression of faith

…is recognized by their local expression of faith as a leader in some role or faculty

…has sought out training, education, or other growth opportunities to grow their leadership gifts

…is engaged in some way in the life of SDBs beyond their local expression of faith (camp, association, conference, etc.)

…has chosen to use their spiritual gifts in ways that grow and benefit their local SDB expression of faith

…has dealt in productive ways with the standard struggles and frustrations surrounding generational transitions in their local expression of faith and in other settings

…has continued to value our historic identity and is advocating for new and healthy expressions of our historic identity in the midst of generational change

Those wishing to make nominations for candidates are asked to follow this link or use the button below and make their recommendations as soon as possible, but no later than August 20^th, 2024.  We will select cohort members by the end of August. Invitations will follow for those who are selected.  Can you help us as we are seeking emerging leaders?

As we gather with this new cohort, we ask all Seventh Day Baptists to engage with and pray for their emerging leaders in this coming ministry year, including those who will gather in this cohort. Questions about this cohort, emerging leaders, or SDB leadership development should be directed to Nick Kersten.