Leadership 360°, ‘Developing the Leader Within’, a seminar of challenge and new awareness for leaders and potential leaders in the Ontario North Division, was held at The Salvation Army Bracebridge Community Church, October 13 & 14, 2006.

The Friday evening began with a challenge by Mjr John Norton, divisional secretary for program, followed by a Saturday morning challenge by Mjr Eric Bond, divisional commander.

Facilitator and keynote speaker, Ron Ferris, corps officer/pastor of The Salvation Army Tillsonburg Community Church, sounded out the challenge to find our own personal soundtrack in leadership. We were challenged to understand ‘The Power of Voice’ as leadership is an acoustical art. We need to tune ourselves to God’s perfect pitch. Ron shared personally of the need to listen and fine-tune his sensitivity to God’s heart sounds.

Presenters and workshops included:

• Colonels Robert & Gwenyth Redhead - “Worship”: Trends, Challenges & Responses.


• Rob Knighton - “Discipleship”: Diagnosis, The Paradigm of Active Discipleship, Community Life Processes which Build Discipleship.


• Major Donna Bond & Captain Darlene Burt - “Unlocking the Leader Inside: Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership” Looking within, and three transforming keys that allow us to walk through a new door in our leadership journey.

Highlights of the two-day seminar in addition to the quality of the speakers included: breakout groups, and networking during breaks with plenty of discussion. Delegate feedback was positive; topics were relevant; sessions were informative and all were challenged in their leadership style. More time for discussion was needed and more youth involvement was suggested.

Suggested topics for future seminars are:

1. Continuation of Leadership 360°


2. Conflict resolution


3. Developing youth (Leaders & future leaders)


4. Communication skills


5. Spiritual growth


6. Soul winning strategies


7. Supervisory skills


8. Media skills


9. Servant leadership


10. Team leadership


11. Developing your leadership style

The overall feedback was encouraging and discussion will follow in 2007 for the details of possible future ‘in-house’ growth seminars.

Gail Norton
Major
DCCMS & DROS
ONN Division