Germinate Leadership 2025–26
Germinate Leadership offers an excellent input into your leadership and ministry.
This latest programme commences in September 2025 and runs until December 2026.
Here’s this year’s Sway brochure explaining more about the 2025–26 programme
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What is Germinate Leadership?
Germinate Leadership is a unique programme for clergy and lay people developing their own leadership style.
It fosters a collaborative, ecumenical approach and a culture of continuing personal and professional development.
There is no single way of being a leader and context will always shape the leadership that is required.
The Germinate Leadership programme takes seriously the variety of rural contexts in which leadership is exercised, and seeks to encourage and enable the development of creative, entrepreneurial and realistic leaders better equipped to engage effectively with local communities and encourage churches to be an effective Christian presence.
The rural church faces new challenges and new opportunities, and will be enriched by a creative and entrepreneurial approach to leadership.
How does Germinate Leadership help in ministry?
The programme develops Christian leadership through engagement with leadership theory, theological reflection and practical leadership issues including conflict resolution, team building and group dynamics, collaboration between lay and ordained leaders, and the importance of deepening emotional intelligence.
What are the benefits of Germinate Leadership?
The 15-month programme includes three full-board residentials, and also comprises a 360° leadership appraisal, mentoring and work-shadowing. A variety of learning styles are used, and teaching incorporates wisdom and experience drawn from secular and church leadership spheres. The programme draws on lay and ordained leadership experience from across the denominations.
Over the course of the programme, participants create a portfolio and leadership development plan which encourage reflection on the programme and the setting of ongoing leadership development goals. These form the starting point for a professional dialogue with two senior Christian leaders at the programme’s conclusion.
Germinate Leadership is delivered by the Arthur Rank Centre, the national organisation for the rural church. The programme is overseen by an ecumenical steering group.
Interested, but want to know more?
To express an initial interest in the programme, either for yourself, or someone else, please provide your details here and we’ll be in touch to discuss this with you.
Ready to apply!
To apply for a place on the programme, please complete the following short application form. – Click here to apply
Following receipt of this, there will be a follow up contact with you to discuss this further, to ensure that suitability is matched.
We always want you to get the most out of this, recognising the necessary investment of time, intent and finance. At times we might suggest that you first explore other options, such as joining our Rural Mission and Ministry course.
If you wish to discuss suitability for the programme, or for any further information please feel free to contact: The Arthur Rank Centre CEO – Revd Matt Jeffrey info@arthurrankcentre.org.uk or Tel: 02476 853060 / 0742 123 7195
Want to find out more about Germinate Leadership and the impact it’s had on the lives and ministries of real rural churches leaders?
Watch the Germinate Leadership Introductory Video from a few years back
Testimonials – What previous and current participants say
“The Germinate Leadership Programme highlighted the leadership skills and strategies that make a difference to rural church mission. I was encouraged to network with other ministers and to explore diverse leadership contexts. The written reflection and professional dialogue concluding the Programme gave me a solid platform to continue researching rural church mission and ministry during a sabbatical. This led me to become Bishop’s Advisor for Rural Affairs in the Canterbury Diocese where I regularly referred to and recommended the work of the Arthur Rank Centre and my experience of the Germinate Leadership Programme.”
“I am learning so much from the Germinate Leadership Programme. The speakers are excellent, and the sessions are well resourced with materials for further learning and reflection. A highlight is being able to reflect with others who are in rural contexts around the country, and I am finding the whole approach both challenging and affirming. Highly recommended!”
“Through a programme of peer support, mentoring and residential gatherings I am gaining new, rich and varied insights on leadership in my rural context. I hope that those I share ministry with are noticing the benefits too.”
“The programme has been inspirational. The combination of theology, leadership training, peer and mentor consultancy, spiritual development, and stories from rural experience – in theory and practice – has given me renewed enthusiasm and confidence in my ministry. It has been a vital part of my continuing formation and learning.”
“Germinate Leadership really does germinate leadership development in the rural church. It has been a privilege to play a small part as a consultant in this learning journey and a joy to witness new learning in participants.”
