Small Church Academy — Bivocational & Small Church Leadership Network

Small Church Academy is the Bivocational & Small Church Leadership Network's online cohort ministry. Most cohorts are designed specifically for bivocational and small church pastors, while others are offered for lay leaders and pastors' wives. Each cohort brings together a small group of ministry leaders for biblical learning, practical discussion, mutual encouragement, and Christ-centered fellowship.

Our cohorts are built on the conviction that ministry is not meant to be done alone. Through guided discussion, shared experiences, and prayer, participants encourage one another, grow in their walk with Christ, and gain practical wisdom they can apply in their homes, workplaces, churches, and communities.

Cohort Leaders

Find Your Cohort

A small group of individuals along with an experienced leader who will commit to meeting together each week for one hour via Zoom. Groups will engage in directed discussion around the required reading or watching a video for the session, discussion on pertinent issues that the group’s individuals are facing in their respective ministries, and a short time of prayer before closing the session.
There is no cost to participate in the program and most materials. Some books or videos are provided by the BSCLN and her partners. Other books may be purchased inexpensively online.
Of course, the Bible (personal translation) is the primary textbook used within any cohort. The following is a list of books and studies that have been utilized in past cohorts.

-What the Bible Says to the Minister: The Minister’s Personal Handbook (LMW)
-What the Bible Says to the Believer: The Believer’s Personal Handbook (LMW)
-What Every Pastor Ought to Know –video series (LWF)
-What Every Christian Ought to Know – video series (LWF)
-Evangelism in the Small Church--digital series (LWF)
-"Reclaiming Glory" by Mark Clifton-book study
-”Overcomer” by David Jeremiah
“The Painful Side of Leadership” by Jeff Iorg
"15 Things Seminary Couldn't Teach Me" based on the book by the same title edited by Collin Hansen and Jeff Robinson
"Biblical Church Revitalization" by Brian Croft
"Spiritual Leadership" by J. Oswald Sanders
"The Pastor's Ministry" by Brian Croft
"Pastoral Graces" by Lee Eclov
“The Man God Uses” by Henry and Tom Blackaby
"Shepherding Like Jesus" by Dr. Andrew Heibert

These books or videos are used as reading background to the discussion sessions of the Cohort meetings. For more information on the books, please visit Leadership Ministries Worldwide or a general internet search. For more information on the video series, please visit Love Worth Finding.
The greatest expectation of commitment shall be simply that each participant will do their best to attend the sessions, read the background material or watch the videos, and share/discuss during the meeting with the others.

Winter 2026 Cohorts

“Biblical Church Revitalization”
“The Painful Side of Leadership”
“15 Things Seminary Couldn’t Teach Me”
“Overcomer”

February 2- March 27, 2026

Spring 2026 Cohorts

April 13 - June 8, 2026

“What Every Pastor Ought to Know”
“Uniquely Bivocational”
“The Painful Side of Leadership” pt2
“Dangerous Calling”
“Redeeming Productivity”

Summer 2026 Cohorts

July 20 - September 18, 2026

“Uniquely Bivocational”
“What Every Pastor Ought to Know”
“Expositional Leadership”
“What’s so Spiritual About Your Gifts”
Shepherding the Sheep in Smaller Churches”
“The Promise of Heaven”
“Measured: A Pastor’s Guide to Ministry”
“The Painful Side of Leadership”