An Investment in Your Parish's Future
Why supporting your priest’s leadership development strengthens your entire parish.
What Is the Leadership Accelerator?
The Leadership Accelerator is a two-year formation program combining retreats, one-on-one coaching, and daily leadership practices. Built specifically for Orthodox pastoral ministry, it addresses a gap that seminary cannot fill.
Seminary provides theological formation: how to celebrate the liturgy, teach the faith, and pastor souls. What it doesn’t provide is leadership development: how to manage teams, delegate effectively, create healthy systems, or protect family boundaries while serving a parish.
Priests graduate from seminary prepared to be spiritual shepherds, but unprepared to be organizational leaders. The result shows up in inefficient meetings, reactive decision-making, burned-out clergy, and parishes that plateau because the priest is doing everything himself.
The Leadership Accelerator addresses these gaps while remaining fully faithful to Orthodox theology and practice. Every element receives theological review. The program is approved by the Holy Eparchial Synod, with Metropolitan Nathanael providing oversight.
When priests lead well while remaining spiritually grounded, entire parishes flourish.
How This Benefits Your Parish
Meetings become more efficient and focused. Administrative support is hired. Budgets connect to mission rather than just covering bills.
Better delegation and volunteer engagement. Staff alignment around vision. Clearer roles and responsibilities.
Strategic direction for parish growth. Mission-focused decision-making. Long-term planning, rather than constant crisis management.
Giving that is connected to purpose, not just bills. Transforming stewardship programs. People see their contribution as part of fulfilling parish mission.
When priests have balance and boundaries, they serve faithfully for decades, not just years. Healthy priests build healthy parishes.
Understanding the Investment
Total Program Cost:
$30,000 over two years ($15,000 per year)
Recommended Funding Structure (60-30-10):
Leadership 100 Grant covers 60% ($9,000 per year)
Parish contributions 30% ($4,500 per year)
Priest contributions 10% ($1,500 per year)
Leadership 100 Grant covers 60% ($9,000 per year)
Parish contributions 30% ($4,500 per year)
Priest contributions 10% ($1,500 per year)
Why Shared Stewardship Matters
This shared stewardship model creates greater ownership for all stakeholders: the priest, the parish, and the supporting organization. When everyone contributes, everyone is invested in the transformation.
What's Included:
- 18 individual mentoring sessions with experienced advisors
- 18 group formation gatherings with brother priests
- Six intensive retreat experiences for deep learning
- Meals and planned activities at all retreats
- Ongoing access to formation resources and materials
- Brotherhood network with clergy nationwide
What's Not Included:
- Lodging at retreat locations (discounted block rates arranged)
- Transportation to and from retreats*
*Most parishes cover these as part of their investment
Payment Schedule: Individual payment schedules are TBD.
Results from Other Parishes
- St. Mark hired their second full-time administrator
- Parish Council meetings reduced by half, from 2.5 hours to 75 minutes, at multiple parishes
- Stewardship programs were transformed to connect giving with mission and vision
- Sts. Peter & Paul hired an executive assistant
- Mission-focused budgets replaced line-item presentations
Growing Across the Church
Over 30 priests across four cohorts serving parishes in three Metropolises (Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco).
With Holy Synod approval, the program will expand nationally with cohorts launching in fall 2026 open to all eight Metropolises and the Direct Archdiocesan District.
To support Orthodox clergy nationwide in achieving the Double Win (effective ministry and sustainable personal life) while building brotherhood among priests across the entire Church.
Questions About Funding or Approval?
Email: info@edensview.coach
Phone: 423-212-6224
(42-321-COACH)
Available: 9 AM – 5 PM ET
