Uptick Participant Smiling with Uptick Shape

Pastoral leaders today are facing pressure like never before.

“Just two miles. So many different people. So many needs. So many on the margins. So many dividing lines.

Honestly, it’s overwhelming… after all, where would I start? Who needs my assistance the most? And what, really, can I do?”

~ Angie Ward, editor The Least of These

If you are leading a church in a metropolitan context, you are navigating the challenges of cultural polarization, Biblical injustice, congregational expectations, and a transient culture.

Resilient, Jesus-shaped leaders must be anchored in Christ and His Word as they answer the call for incarnational ministry that leads to community transformation, reconciliation, and human flourishing.

The challenge to lead a congregation with deep-rooted and generational stigmas towards those who are living in human-made margins requires a reframing of the theology of the imago Dei and a desire for spiritual maturity, emotional intelligence, and a rich regional network of peers for wisdom and support.

DID YOU KNOW?

45% of unchurched adults strongly agree Christian churches should be a safe place for hurting people, while only 59% of Christian adults strongly agree with this statement. (2 Things Your Church Space Should Represent to Visitors - Barna Group)
22% of practicing Christians say they have an individual responsibility to help those who experience discrimination. (22% of Practicing Christians Feel Responsibility to Help Those Facing Discrimination - Barna Group)
“[Leaders] who possess a high level of cultural intelligence play an important role in bridging divides and knowledge gaps in an organization: educating their peers about different cultures; transferring knowledge between otherwise disparate groups; helping to build interpersonal connections and smooth the interpersonal processes in a multicultural workforce.” (Why You Need Cultural Intelligence (And How To Develop It - Forbes.com))

LET'S GET STARTED

Let Uptick Catalyst Equip You

Uptick Catalyst offers practical training and support for pastors and ministry leaders who desire to build a movement that will impact and change their communities to help make them thrive through Kingdom perspectives.

WHAT IS UPTICK CATALYST?

Uptick Catalyst is a Christian leadership development cohort producing Jesus-shaped leaders with a higher intercultural intelligence through conversation and immersive experiences into difference: racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, theological, denominational, generational, and political.

THIS IS FOR YOU IF:

You are 25-35 years old.
You are willing to embrace differences and hold space for diverging ideas and perspectives.
You are actively engaged as a leader in your faith context either as paid staff, volunteer or community leader.

You can fully commit to all dates and times fixed on the calendar and decide to come prepared and ready to participate in a meaningful way.
You aspire to keep learning through resources and training opportunities, going deeper in your faith and your community work.

YOU WILL GAIN:

Coaching through leadership assessments in order to lead in your current ministry motivation
A network of mentors, coaches, and peers who share the desire for impact in your region
An aptitude and skills assessment through the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) with the opportunity to continue coaching through the Tyndale Intercultural Ministry Centre

Tools to hear, understand, and serve the people in your region as you learn to lead and communicate across difference

ONLINE HUDDLE

HOW MUCH TIME WILL CATALYST REQUIRE?

Catalyst requires 10 dedicated hours/month in order to fully experience the Catalyst journey. Ten hours includes online pre-work for the sessions, assessments, readings and uninterrupted participation.

GATHERING SESSIONS

Gathering sessions may either be in the form of a 2-night, 3-day retreat or 5 hour session.

All meals and lodging are paid for during the time of the gatherings in order to remove the financial burden of the Uptick’s participation.

REGIONAL HUDDLES

Online cohort huddles occur regularly during the year for approximately 60-90 minutes.

A recommended week will be provided on the region’s schedule, so that they meet every 4-6 weeks.

COACHING SESSIONS

Each Uptick participant is assigned a leadership coach who will serve as a thought partner to help catalyze what is being learned during the gatherings.

Uptick participants are required to meet with their coach once a month for a one-hour session the first 3 months at no expense to them.

PASTOR MENTOR SESSIONS

A mentor is a seasoned pastoral leader in each region who will share wisdom and insight in the Uptick’s life and leadership.

Uptick participants can schedule time to meet with their mentors in between gatherings and huddles, as needed.

2024-2025 Gathering Schedule by Region

There are three Uptick Catalyst Cohorts located in the "DMV" (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia), the Richmond metropolitan area, and the Tidewater region of Virginia.

Uptick participants will meet with their regional cohorts as indicated on the following schedule (i.e., DMV cohort participants will meet on the DMV dates indicated, RVA will meet on their dates, etc.).

Participants are not allowed to attend a meeting in another region due to the cultural differences in each region and the synergy established in each cohort.

CATALYST PARTNERS

APPLY TO A REGIONAL COHORT

If you're ready to reach your full leadership potential, begin the admissions process to one of the three regional cohorts. Our regions currently include the Tidewater area, the greater Richmond area, and the DC Metro Area. Nominate a participant or apply!

NOMINATE OR APPLY NOW!

COHORTS

CATALYST CORE ENTREPRENEUR ALUMNI

QUICK LINKS

UPTICK BOOK NOMINATE/APPLY

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COHORT TRAINING WORKSHOPS

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