We train our new leaders online. For a few years, I resisted that strategy. I thought it was important for potential leaders to be together in one room, for me to have face-to-face interaction, etc. But it was becoming harder and harder to make it happen. As a multi-site church meeting in a very transient city, we found that many potential leaders could not logistically get to the training for several semesters in a row, and we were losing valuable leaders as a result.

We made the move to online training for new leaders. Honestly, I launched it as a necessary evil.

Now that we are doing it, I’m a fan. Here’s why:

More Content, More Quickly
We can cover more content more quickly. The videos are tight and the material is succinct. We can hit them with audio, visuals, and print.

Interactive Experience
We require participants to answer questions about what they are learning and how they will apply it in their unique setting. During the live, platform-driven event, I had not idea how participants were hearing, interacting with, or planning to apply the information. I barely even knew if they were awake. These answers give us an opportunity to disciple and coach a new leader before they even step into leadership.

The online training also embeds the old paper application, so we get all the content we need from a potential leader at once– demographic, spiritual history, family information, references, etc.

Just in Time, On Demand
Leaders can complete the training in their own time, at their own pace, in their own place. They are no longer locked into a 3- hour meeting on a specific Saturday. Additionally, the videos are online so they can go back and watch any of them whenever they want. When they are 6 months into a group and trying to remember what we said about raising up potential leaders, they can go back and watch the video again.

Variety of Voice
We have a variety of voices in the training now. Not just mine. We’ve incorporated different members of our team so that new leaders get to know them. And it makes for a more interesting experience.

Fun
Finally, it’s just fun. We were able to turn our collective creative juices on and had fun in the process of making them. Hopefully, this experience will be more fun for those who are watching than the old model.

We want to make these available to whoever might find them helpful. They are very NCC-specific, but maybe they will give you some ideas. Be on the lookout starting tomorrow!