July 2010

The Summer Church Management Institute is a certificate program designed as an intensive executive education experience to provide participants with a deeper and fuller background in the concepts of leadership and management. Along with improving their knowledge and skill set, participants are presented with opportunities for social contact and networking. Prominent practitioners from across the United States have accepted our invitation to partake in this endeavor.

Please navigate the links below to learn more.

Why is this program beneficial to my organization?

The Summer Church Management Institute is an initiative created to improve the Church’s ability to attract, train, motivate, develop, and retain its people. At the conclusion of the course, not only will students have formed a peer group community, they will have developed the following core competencies:

Planning
• an understanding of best practices in strategic planning processes
• increased proficiency in the use of information technology to organize data and as a research and problem solving tool
• an understanding of the legal environment of Churches in the U.S. and the relationship between civil and church law

Organizing
• an understanding of human resource practices appropriate and useful for supporting and directing staff and the applications of such practice in Church environments
• the ability to envision and employ alternative organizational structures and dynamics to achieve desirable organizational objectives
• the ability to work with various advisory boards, and to utilize the strengths and mitigate the weaknesses of an advisory board system

Leading
• enhanced skills with group dynamics and fostering effective group work
• an ability to reflect on organizational dynamics and practices from a theological and ecclesiological perspective in order to align the faith community's work with its values

Controlling
• financial literacy in areas such as budgeting and the preparation and analysis of financial statements
• an appreciation of the importance of accountability and transparency in a church setting

Back to top

When and where does the Summer Church Management Institute take place?

This week-long program is scheduled for mid July 2010.

Program activities and accommodations are held at the Villanova Conference Center, 601 County Line Road, Radnor, PA (19087).

Click here to learn more about The Villanova Conference Center.

Back to top

What are the costs of the program?

The cost of the 2008 Church Management Institute was $2700 per participant. Because of some foundation grants that we've received, we were in a position of being able to offer each person admitted to the Institute a scholarship, reducing the cost to each participant to $1750. This fee included all course materials, meals, and housing accommodations at the first class Villanova Conference Center.

Back to top

How can I get involved?

The Villanova School of Business invites you and your organization to participate in the Summer Church Management Institute. The application process consists of a nomination from your diocese or religious order and an application (to be completed by the participant).

Nomination

Diocesan ordinaries and religious superiors are asked to nominate participants to attend by submitting a brief letter of endorsement to describe challenges the nominee faces that are relevant to goals of the Summer Church Management Institute. Multiple submissions from each diocese/religious order are welcome. Nominations can either be submitted electronically to cscm@villanova.edu or to:

Summer Church Management Institute
Villanova School of Business
800 Lancaster Ave
Villanova PA 19085

Upon their nomination, candidates will be asked to submit an application along with a brief essay further describing one particular challenge that they face in their current position.

Application

Questions can be directed to Charles Zech at CSCM@villanova.edu or 610-519-4371.

Back to top

Back to top

Comments from Recent Participants

"Good content with valuable materials. These tools are essential in Church ministry."
-Sr. Charlotte Davenport, CSJP, Chancellor and Chief Fiscal Officer, Diocese of Anchorage

"Very well done. Practical, effective, good networking, very good setting. I appreciated the internet access in my room which enabled me to do office work, thereby lowering my stress and increasing my attention to the program."
-Very Rev. Marc Alexander, STD, Vicar General, Diocese of Honolulu

"The caliber of the presenters and their respective knowledge was among the best I have experienced. The accommodations were superior to any other previous experience. I will claim this experience and my decision to attend to be among my best."
-Mr. Jeff Norton, Director of Operations, Missionary Society of St. Columban

"I found the caliber of presentations to be outstanding. The presenters were highly diversified and extremely professional and competent in their fields."
-Rev. Paul Novak OSM, Prior Provincial, USA Province of Friar Servants of Mary (Servites)

"It was a privilege to participate in this Institute."
-Sr. Eileen Matthews, PBVM, Treasurer, Sisters of the Presentation
 

Back to top