FUNDAMENTALS OF TRANSITIONAL LEADERSHIP
A New Course of Transitional Leader Training for A New Day
IMN is pleased to announce its new Fundamentals of Transitional Leadership (FTL) online modular course of transitional leadership training that will begin in March 2025. A training schedule and registration information will be available at the end of January.
Opportunities to Learn More
In addition to the information you’ll find here, there are two other ways to learn more about FTL levels, sequences, and standalone modules:
- Town Hall Gatherings – January 22, 2:00-3:00 pm ET & February 4, 1:00-2:00 pm ET
Learn more about the FTL course of study and how it can equip you to meet your vocational goals, whether you’re new to transitional leadership or a seasoned veteran.
- FTL Orientation Sessions – Twice-weekly conversations starting January 28
An in-depth conversation about FTL Essentials – the Module 1-3 sequence that constitutes Level 1 FTL training. Note: Participation in an FTL Orientation Session is required prior to registering for Module 1. If you’re considering Module 1 training, be sure to sign up for an Orientation Session soon.
Who FTL Courses Are For
This training is for every leader – whether you’re looking to serve in intentional interim ministry, thinking of being a change management congregational consultant or coach, wanting to help your faith community face change as a settled leader, or feeding a burning passion to help people of faith explore new forms and new ways in a new day. The FTL includes a pathway for those who want the full core course of transitional leader training, as well as standalone trainings for those who are looking for a refresher or specialized training.
About Fundamentals of Transitional Leadership (FTL) Training
The FTL training replaces, enhances, and expands upon IMN’s former Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry (FTM) two-part core training that included Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry – The Work of the Leader (FTML) and Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry – The Work of the Congregation (FTMC). IMN is no longer offering FTML training and will conclude its FTMC training with final events in January and June 2025.
Like its predecessor, FTL training equips transitional leader practitioners to help them manage change for healthy transitions and faithful transformations. It reflects a key IMN principle that change provides a unique opportunity to address organizational issues, make adaptive change, and help the congregation meet discerned goals and deepen resilience. It relies on change, transition, and systems theories to help practitioners frame the work of managing change. FTL also provides participants with a wide range of analytical and discernment techniques, approaches for setting a climate of change and mobilizing the congregation, and skills for dealing with naturally occurring change dynamics such as conflict. In addition, FTL emphasizes to an even greater extent the importance of posture – how we bring ourselves to and embody the work of the transitional leader.
FTL is substantially different from our previous training, reflecting greater awarenesses of:
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- changing patterns of post-pandemic congregational life
- sustainability issues that emphasize the need to explore adaptive moves including shared ministry, amalgamation, and closure
- increasing organizational anxiety, divisiveness, and conflict
- an expanding variety of emerging transitional leader roles and delivery methods
- the need practitioner learners have to better fit training into their full lives
With these shifts in mind, FTL is also a completely refreshed course of study that is:
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- contextually-responsive
- outcomes-based
- adult learning-centered
- with an emphasis on the leader’s self-awareness and emotional intelligence (EQ)
- redesigned with online best practices highlighted
- completely reconfigured with smaller (12-15 hour) modular trainings delivered in shorter class sessions (3 hours) spread out over 2- to 6-week periods
FTL Levels & Modules
There are FTL courses for every practitioner, no matter their previous background in transitional leadership.
FTL Essentials – Level 1
This Module 1-3 series of trainings (12 hours each) provides a good foundation for transitional leadership. It is recommended for anyone who hasn’t taken transitional leadership training previously or if it’s been more than 5 years since you had training. Modules 1-3 must be taken in sequence to complete Level 1. Note: Participation in an FTL Orientation Session is required prior to registering for Module 1. If you’re considering Module 1 training, be sure to sign up for an Orientation Session soon.
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- Module 1: Thresholds – An Invitation to Transitional Leadership
- Module 2: The Art & Science of Transitional Leadership
- Module 3: Leading the Organization During Transitions
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FTL Core – Level 2
Adding Modules 4 & 5 (15 hours each) to Level 1 modules provides an excellent foundation for transitional leadership and will give you full confidence in your ability to serve in a transitional leader role. Note: The FTL Core is equivalent to the former FTML/FTMC course of study and the preparation for intentional interim ministry required by some denominations. These modules are also good choices for those previously trained in transitional leadership who are looking for a refresher or general continuing education. Modules 4 & 5 are standalone trainings that can be taken at any time, in any order, with or without taking the Module 1-3 Essentials sequence.
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- Module 4: Emotional Intelligence (EQ) & Group Dynamics
- Module 5: Conflict Transformation
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FTL Advanced Training – Level 3
Modules at this level (15 hours each) are for experienced transitional leaders who want to deepen their practice or develop a specialty. Note: Modules at this level require pre-approval by the IMN Dean of Faculty. Only one Level 3 course will be offered in 2025.
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- Module 6: New Beginnings & Faithful Endings
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