Video Transcript: What Not to Do When Introducing CLI to Your Church

🎥 Video 2E Transcript: What Not to Do When Introducing CLI to Your Church

Hi, I am Henry Reyenga, a Christian Leaders Institute presenter.

In this session, we are talking about what not to do when introducing Christian Leaders Institute to your church.

The way a pastor introduces CLI matters. A wise introduction can create trust, clarity, and excitement. A careless introduction can create confusion, suspicion, or unrealistic expectations.

First, do not introduce CLI as a replacement for local church discipleship.

CLI is a training resource. It can be very helpful. But your church still needs worship, preaching, sacraments, prayer, fellowship, pastoral care, mentoring, accountability, and local mission. Online training should strengthen embodied church life, not replace it.

Second, do not promise that everyone who takes courses will receive a ministry role.

Some people may study for personal growth. Some may study to become better volunteers. Some may move toward public ministry. Others may need more time, healing, maturity, or doctrinal grounding before serving in visible roles.

Third, do not present credentials as the main goal.

The goal is faithful service to Christ. Credentials, commissioning, or ordination may be appropriate for some roles, but they must never become a shortcut around character, humility, doctrine, or accountability.

Fourth, do not bypass your elders, deacons, board, or denominational leadership where appropriate.

Pastors should explain how CLI fits the church’s mission, doctrine, and governance. If your church belongs to a denomination, honor its policies and processes.

Fifth, do not launch with too much complexity.

You do not need ten pathways on day one. Start with a simple invitation: “We want to help more members grow as trained Christian leaders.” Then begin with a small cohort, a few courses, and a clear mentoring rhythm.

Sixth, do not ignore safety and boundaries.

If students are moving toward chaplaincy, coaching, youth ministry, officiant work, care ministry, or public leadership, they need role clarity, supervision, referral awareness, and church policies.

A stronger introduction sounds like this:

“Church, we want to equip more people for ministry. Christian Leaders Institute can help provide training. Christian Leaders Alliance may provide recognition where appropriate. But our local church will continue to mentor, discern, supervise, and deploy leaders wisely.”

That kind of introduction is clear, humble, and pastorally responsible.

CLI is not a replacement for the church.