Ministerial Leadership

Leadership is the place where our relationships, management skills, and courage to move towards the future come together. Participants in this course will learn solid management tools (governance, financial management, volunteer management) and engage with theories around adaptive and transformational change and their implications for ministerial leadership. Theological examination of secular leadership studies will complement a focus on the practice of ministry and the person of the Christian leader.

About the Instructor: The Rev Dr Ross Bartlett earned B.A., M.Div., M.A. (Queen’s University); ThD (Toronto); and D.Min (Princeton). An ordained United Church minister he served in congregational ministry for more than 35 years before becoming the United Church Formation Director at AST. He has published books in the areas of Christian discipleship and faith sharing; Part-time ministry; congregational vitality and contributed chapters to different historical texts and journals. His specializations include church governance; congregational vision and mission; part-time ministry; leadership development; preaching; church history; and clergy well-being. He is a Certified Coach and a Spiritual Director and the founding director of AST’s Atlantic School of Discipleship.

Dates: September 9 - December 9, 2026

Days & Times: Mondays, 4:00pm-6:30pm

Requirements: Readings and discussions. No written work, projects, or presentations.

Books to purchase: Reading list will be provided by the instructor. 

Fee: $275.00

Format: Hybrid 

Location: King's Room (lower level, AST Library)

Please note: This Continuing Education program is non-credit, meaning it cannot be counted toward a degree or diploma, and will not be transcripted. Continuing Education registrations are refundable until 7 days before a program commences. After that time, fees are non-refundable.

Questions? Please contact: Lydia Hood, Continuing Education Coordinator, at lydia.hood@astheology.ns.ca

Or the instructor, the Rev. Dr. Ross Bartlett at ross.bartlett@astheology.ns.ca