The Wellspring School of Leadership Concludes Inaugural Year, Looks ahead to Fall 2011

Last night, June 14, the Wellspring School of Leadership wrapped up its last class of its inaugural year.  The students concluded their final first-year course with a project reviewing Wellspring's baptism, membership, and covenant processes.  They also took time to reflect on what WSL has meant to them over the last nine months.  The word, both corporately and individually, is transformation.

With pastors Rick and Wes, elders Mark Johnson and Bill Munns, and WSL advisory board members Nadine Brennan and Ed Tuttle in attendance, the students of the School of Leadership presented the results of a month-long project.  With Wellspring's elder board already in the process of reviewing these practices, the students' work and presentation, which included similar practices of churches across the country, ought to benefit the Wellspring body for years to come.

Afterward, students were asked about their involvement in WSL and what it has meant to their personal and leadership development.  One student said that she was already beginning to implement the skills she was learning in class at her job.  Another commented similarly, that his experience with WSL was revealing his responsibilities to his employees' personal and professional development and to his leadership in his home.  These were common themes.  The general sense was that each student appreciated the great positive changes they had experienced over these last nine months.

From my perspective, directing the school, teaching a class, and dropping in occasionally to observe, transformation is not too strong a word to use regarding these students individually and corporately.  On an individual level, I could point to several of our students and remark on the vast difference in their confidence and ability from August, when we began, to now.  As a cohort, however, this diverse group has become a tightly knit and dynamic force, able to accomplish much as a unit.  They are each different people than they were nine months ago; they are a vastly different group as well.

I am exceptionally pleased with the progress they've made, and I look forward to working with them as they continue through to the second year program.  More, I cannot wait to see the next class form and begin this process of transformation anew come August.  As strongly as I can, allow me to encourage you to consider enrolling in next year's class of the Wellspring School of Leadership.  I can promise hard work.  I can promise great community.  And I can promise exceptional transformation.  Please, apply today.

Mike McKinniss