What’s the Difference Between Church-Based Training & Seminary?

We believe that churches are uniquely equipped and commissioned for the work of raising-up future Kingdom leaders. This is because leadership development in a church context allows for an ongoing 360º view of the leader’s life by staff, peers, and members of the congreation throughout the length of the internship and in a variety of settings.

Classical training, like seminary, tends to create a fairly rigid learning environment to which a student must conform. Church-based training, on the other hand, seeks to adapt to each intern and craft an environment that will result in maximum growth and transformation. 

LDI Course Blocks & Credit System

The LDI Course blocks are as follows:

A Term (August) – 4 Weeks
Fall Semester (September through mid-December) – 16 Weeks
J-Term (January) – 3 Weeks
Spring Semester (Late January through May) – 16 Weeks
Summer (June-July) – 8 Weeks

Each intern will work with our staff team to develop an Individualized Development Plan (IDP). This plan is designed to help each unique person focus on specific areas of growth in all three pillars of LDI (Biblical Thinking, Christ-like Character, and Ministry Skills). 

LDI works on a credit system that helps interns maintain balance between the three pillars of LDI. It is also designed to help interns have a healthy understanding of time commitment and structure in ministry. Each credit is equivalent to approximately 40 hours of time over the course block. Each course block is assigned a corresponding number of required credits based on the time length of the course block.

LDI also allows for varying time commitments to the program, asking students to commit to a full-time, ¾-time, or ½-time commitment to the internship.  Credits are prorated to match the desired time commitment.

LDI Classes, ministry experiences, mentoring, and church-life are linked to a corresponding amount of credits based on the time commitment required. Interns and Staff will work together through an IDP to determine how to best fill credit hours during each time block and a manner that will glorify God, bless the intern, and …

See our LDI Course Catalog, which includes classes, retreats, and seminars, each of which is geared for growth in different pillars of LDI. 

In addition to classes, retreats and seminars, all interns will meet weekly in mentoring time with our LDI staff. This time is meant to serve as a place of connection, listening, advising, and laughter for the interns. This time will focus mainly on character development rooted in a deep understanding of God’s grace given to us in the Gospel. Each inter will also meet monthly with the LDI Director to discuss Ministry Skills and individualized leadership development. 

Interns will also be involved in ministry areas of their choosing. They are asked to invest in these ministries in order to activate in ministry skill and allow for growing opportunities in leadership as faithfulness is shown. 

Expectations of Interns

We expect all LDI interns to have:

Commitment to Jesus Christ following him and enjoying his gospel.

Wholehearted commitment to church-based training demonstrated through full participation in classes, retreats, and seminars.

Commitment to put on the character of Christ through prayer, mentoring relationships, mutual accountability, and experiencing the work of the Spirit.

Diligence in playing an active role in the ministry and community of LDI and Hope Community Church through participation in the body and engagement on ministry teams. Interns should also show diligent stewardship and development of their lives and the gifts God has given them.

Support Raising and Financial Commitment

The majority of interns choose to raise support in order to cover the cost of the program and living expenses. Support-raising is not required for participation in the program, but we believe that it can provide valuable experience for interns. The process of support raising helps interns develop a deeper dependence on God, as well as equipping them to network, build relationships, and tell people about Jesus and the work he is doing in their lives. As a staff team, we prioritize this process and support LDI interns through ongoing training and accountability. God really does show up through support raising, so if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us to talk through it!

In the process of support raising, participants are encouraged to develop a team of ministry partners that will support them financially and prayerfully during the duration of their LDI journey. Donations can be made on a one-time, monthly, or yearly basis. Participants are encouraged to consider other financial obligations when developing ministry partners, such as housing, food, student loans, ongoing bills, and health insurance. These financial needs should be planned for and included when the invitation is made to possible partners.

We realize that the participants of LDI have many considerations, including financial, when making the decision to join LDI. Hope Community Church and LDI have made every effort to keep the financial obligations of this journey to a minimum. In comparison to other leadership development avenues, we believe that LDI is the most affordable and will give you the most “bang for the buck!”

Cost: LDI Program (Includes cost of classes, retreats, seminars, required textbooks, additional class materials, and all LDI-specific retreat expenses) $1,000 per semester | Total $2,000

Living expenses (including housing, food, clothing, transportation, insurance, loans, etc.) to be determined.