🧭 Legacy Church CLI/CLA Training Pathway Map
🧭 Legacy Church CLI/CLA Training Pathway Map
Topic 7.4 Worksheet
Purpose
This worksheet helps a legacy, plateaued, rural, pastorless, or restarting church map a practical leadership training pathway using Christian Leaders Institute for ministry training and Christian Leaders Alliance for appropriate credentialing, commissioning, ordination, and public ministry recognition.
Topic 7 of this course focuses on CLI/CLA as the leadership retraining and ordination pathway, including training elders, deacons, volunteers, ministers, and building a local learning cohort in a legacy church.
The goal is not to hand out titles quickly.
The goal is to help your church identify teachable leaders, train them wisely, clarify their ministry roles, and recognize them appropriately when they are ready.
Part 1: Church Leadership Snapshot
1. Church Name
Church Name: ___________________________________________
Location: _______________________________________________
Current Status:
Check all that apply:
☐ Legacy church
☐ Plateaued church
☐ Rural or country church
☐ Pastorless church
☐ Church with part-time or interim pastoral leadership
☐ Wounded church recovering from conflict or scandal
☐ Church with aging leadership
☐ Church with stuck elders, deacons, trustees, or board members
☐ Church with a building that could be used more missionally
☐ Church seeking renewal, restart, or replanting
☐ Other: _________________________________________________
2. Current Leadership Structure
List current leaders and their roles.
| Name | Current Role | Trained for Role? | Teachable? | Needs Renewal? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pastor / Interim / Pulpit Supply | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| Elder | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| Deacon | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| Trustee / Board Member | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| Volunteer Ministry Leader | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| Prayer / Care Leader | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |
| Other: _____________ | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
Part 2: Teachable Leader Discovery
3. Who Is Teachable?
List people who may be ready for training. Include current leaders, volunteers, younger adults, retired members, faithful servants, overlooked people, and those with quiet ministry gifts.
| Name | Current Involvement | Possible Gift | Evidence of Teachability | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Helpful signs of teachability:
They listen before reacting.
They receive correction without defensiveness.
They are willing to study.
They care more about serving than controlling.
They keep commitments.
They respect accountability.
They pray before pushing opinions.
They are humble about what they do not know.
They show love for Christ, Scripture, and people.
4. Who May Need Role Clarification or Transition?
Some leaders may love the church but no longer be serving in a healthy or fruitful way. This section should be handled prayerfully and confidentially with appropriate oversight.
| Role or Person | Concern | Training Needed? | Conversation Needed? | Possible Transition Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |||
| ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No | |||
| ☐ Yes ☐ No ☐ Unsure | ☐ Yes ☐ No |
Use careful language:
Instead of saying: “You are the problem.”
Say: “We are entering a renewal season, and all of us need clearer training, role definition, and accountability.”
Instead of saying: “You need to step aside.”
Say: “Let’s discern whether this role still fits your gifts, season of life, and the church’s current needs.”
Part 3: Ministry Needs Assessment
5. What Ministry Roles Does the Church Need?
Check all current or possible ministry needs.
Worship and Word Ministry
☐ Preaching support
☐ Bible study leaders
☐ Worship planning
☐ Prayer ministry
☐ Scripture reading
☐ Communion or sacramental/ordinance support where appropriate
☐ Discipleship groups
Care and Visitation Ministry
☐ Hospital visitation
☐ Nursing home visitation
☐ Shut-in care
☐ Grief care
☐ Crisis prayer support
☐ Senior adult ministry
☐ Widow/widower care
☐ Meal ministry
Community Ministry
☐ Wedding officiant ministry
☐ Funeral officiant ministry
☐ Marriage encouragement
☐ Life coaching ministry
☐ Ministry coaching
☐ Chaplaincy parish ministry
☐ Community prayer space
☐ Local outreach events
☐ Micro church planting
☐ Soul Center-connected ministry possibility
Leadership and Administration
☐ Elder renewal
☐ Deacon renewal
☐ Board/trustee renewal
☐ Financial transparency
☐ Building use policies
☐ Safety policies
☐ Children/youth safeguards
☐ Volunteer onboarding
☐ Ministry scheduling
☐ Local mentor or overseer connection
6. Top Five Ministry Gaps
Identify the five most urgent ministry gaps.
| Priority | Ministry Gap | Why It Matters | Who Could Be Trained? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 | |||
| 4 | |||
| 5 |
Part 4: CLI Training Pathway Map
7. Suggested Training Tracks
Match potential leaders with CLI training areas.
| Person | Possible Role | CLI Training Area Needed | Timeline | Mentor/Oversight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elder / Deacon Renewal | Bible, church leadership, pastoral care | |||
| Wedding Officiant | Wedding officiant skills, marriage ministry | |||
| Funeral Officiant | Funeral officiant skills, grief care | |||
| Chaplain | Chaplaincy, listening, boundaries, visitation | |||
| Life Coach Minister | Coaching, communication, boundaries | |||
| Bible Study Leader | Bible, theology, teaching, discipleship | |||
| Micro Church Leader | Micro church planting, discipleship, leadership | |||
| Volunteer / Part-Time Minister | Ministry foundations, leadership, preaching/care |
8. First Shared CLI Learning Cohort
A learning cohort can help leaders grow together rather than alone.
Cohort Name: ___________________________________________
Start Date: _____________________________________________
Meeting Rhythm:
☐ Weekly
☐ Every two weeks
☐ Monthly
☐ Other: _________________________________________________
Meeting Location:
☐ Church building
☐ Home
☐ Online
☐ Hybrid
☐ Other: _________________________________________________
Cohort Participants:
| Name | Current Role | Why Invited? | First Training Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
9. Cohort Covenant
Use or adapt this covenant:
We enter this learning season with humility before Christ, love for the church, respect for one another, and a desire to serve our community faithfully. We are not seeking titles first. We are seeking formation, wisdom, readiness, accountability, and renewed mission. We will pray, study, listen, serve, and discern together.
Participants’ Signatures:
______________________________________ Date: ___________
______________________________________ Date: ___________
______________________________________ Date: ___________
______________________________________ Date: ___________
______________________________________ Date: ___________
Part 5: CLA Recognition Pathway Map
10. When Might CLA Recognition Be Appropriate?
CLA recognition may be appropriate when a person has:
☐ Completed relevant CLI training
☐ Demonstrated Christian character
☐ Shown teachability and humility
☐ Received local endorsement
☐ Clarified a real ministry role
☐ Accepted accountability
☐ Understood role boundaries
☐ Demonstrated ministry readiness
☐ Been reviewed by appropriate leaders or mentors
☐ Shown a servant-hearted posture
11. Possible Recognition Pathways
Use this table to map possible next steps.
| Person | Possible CLA Pathway | Ministry Role | Local Endorser | Readiness Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioning | ☐ Early ☐ Developing ☐ Ready | |||
| Credentialing | ☐ Early ☐ Developing ☐ Ready | |||
| Ordination | ☐ Early ☐ Developing ☐ Ready | |||
| Officiant Role | ☐ Early ☐ Developing ☐ Ready | |||
| Chaplain Role | ☐ Early ☐ Developing ☐ Ready | |||
| Minister Role | ☐ Early ☐ Developing ☐ Ready | |||
| Coaching Role | ☐ Early ☐ Developing ☐ Ready |
12. Local Endorsement Readiness Questions
Before public recognition, ask:
Does this person show love for Christ and Scripture?
Does this person serve with humility?
Does this person respect church oversight?
Does this person understand the role?
Does this person understand what the role does not include?
Does this person know when to refer?
Does this person handle confidential matters wisely?
Does this person have healthy relationships in the church?
Does this person build trust in the community?
Does this person have a clear ministry assignment?
Part 6: Ministry Assignment Map
13. Define the Ministry Role Before Recognition
No one should receive a title without a defined ministry assignment.
| Ministry Role | Person Being Considered | What They Will Do | What They Will Not Do | Oversight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wedding Officiant | ||||
| Funeral Officiant | ||||
| Chaplain / Visitation Minister | ||||
| Life Coach Minister | ||||
| Ministry Coach | ||||
| Bible Study Leader | ||||
| Micro Church Leader | ||||
| Volunteer / Part-Time Minister |
14. Boundary and Referral Awareness
Check the areas where your church needs written clarity before deploying leaders.
☐ Child safety
☐ Youth ministry boundaries
☐ Vulnerable adult care
☐ Hospital or nursing home visitation
☐ Crisis response
☐ Mental health referral
☐ Abuse reporting awareness
☐ Confidentiality limits
☐ Transportation policies
☐ Wedding policies
☐ Funeral policies
☐ Building use policies
☐ Financial transparency
☐ Benevolence practices
☐ Digital communication
☐ Coaching boundaries
☐ Chaplaincy boundaries
☐ Volunteer accountability
☐ Mentor or overseer review
Part 7: 90-Day Leadership Renewal Action Plan
Month 1: Pray and Identify
Main Goal: Identify teachable leaders and ministry gaps.
Actions:
☐ Gather leaders for prayer.
☐ Review current leadership roles.
☐ Identify current and emerging leaders.
☐ Name the top five ministry gaps.
☐ Invite first cohort participants.
☐ Choose first CLI training focus.
Month 1 Notes:
Month 2: Train and Discuss
Main Goal: Begin shared CLI training and monthly discussion.
Actions:
☐ Start the learning cohort.
☐ Meet weekly or biweekly.
☐ Discuss what is being learned.
☐ Connect training to actual church needs.
☐ Watch for gifts and readiness.
☐ Clarify possible ministry roles.
Month 2 Notes:
Month 3: Clarify and Map Next Steps
Main Goal: Identify next training steps and possible recognition pathways.
Actions:
☐ Review each participant’s growth.
☐ Identify possible ministry roles.
☐ Clarify needed boundaries and policies.
☐ Identify local endorsers or mentors.
☐ Decide whether any CLA pathway may be appropriate later.
☐ Create a six-month leadership development plan.
Month 3 Notes:
Part 8: Six-Month Leadership Development Plan
| Month | Training Focus | People Involved | Ministry Practice | Review Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prayer and leader identification | |||
| 2 | Shared CLI cohort begins | |||
| 3 | Role clarity and ministry mapping | |||
| 4 | Ministry practice with oversight | |||
| 5 | Endorsement readiness review | |||
| 6 | Possible recognition or commissioning next steps |
Part 9: Final Discernment Questions
Use these questions with elders, deacons, board members, mentors, or Soul Center leaders.
Who has shown the most teachability during this training season?
Who has demonstrated humility, consistency, and love for people?
Who has a clear ministry gift beginning to emerge?
What ministry roles are needed most urgently?
Which roles require more training before public service?
Which roles require written policies before launch?
Who could serve as a mentor or overseer?
Is any person ready to pursue CLA recognition?
What should wait?
What is the next faithful step for our church?
Final Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You are the Head of the Church.
You know our history, our wounds, our hopes, and our calling.
Teach us to become learners again.
Raise up faithful servants among us.
Give humility to current leaders and courage to emerging leaders.
Help us train wisely, endorse carefully, recognize humbly, and serve faithfully.
Renew our church for your glory and for the good of our community.
Amen.