Leadership Academy 2026

On April 25, you are invited to join us at Good Samaritan Episcopal Church in San Diego for Leadership Academy, a day dedicated to learning for both clergy and lay leaders within our diocese. This time spent learning in community facilitates congregational growth and connection within our diocesan community. New and experienced leaders come together to explore new ideas and develop skills that will impact their ministries in the year ahead. One of the most remarkable blessings of our diocese is the depth of wisdom and talent within its leaders. Leadership Academy celebrates and builds upon that shared strength, highlighting voices from different congregations and communities in our diocesan life. 

The day begins with Morning Prayer in the sanctuary. With a message shared by Canon Jason Evans, shared prayers and hymns, we will ground ourselves in worship to prepare for a day of learning. Throughout the day, there will be opportunities to connect with friends and colleagues from across the diocese, deepening the relationships that support our shared ministry. The day closes with a time of reflection, centering God in all that we do and marking our commitment to serve with Courageous Love. 

Leadership Academy offers the chance to choose, à la carte, from three tracks, each designed to inspire and equip participants for leadership in diverse contexts. 

Register for Leadership Academy

EVANGELISM 

In this the Year of Evangelism, this track is the anchor of our day. Facilitated by Canon Jason Evans, EDSD Canon to the Ordinary for Mission, participants can choose to engage with one workshop in this track or the entire series. Either way, they will leave prepared to engage evangelism in their congregation with depened understanding, and renewed focus. 

Gather 

In this workshop, we will explore practices that help congregations move from simply being friendly to intentionally welcoming. Together, we’ll reflect on how invitation is a core act of evangelism and how hospitality can become a visible sign of God’s grace in our communities. Participants will leave with concrete tools for cultivating belonging—from first-time guest experiences to pathways into deeper participation. 

Transform 

This session centers on discipleship that not only deepens faith but leads us to share it with others. We’ll explore rhythms of prayer, Scripture, and fellowship that form us into people who can clearly and confidently articulate the hope we have in Christ. Participants will learn how spiritual growth and evangelism belong together—so that as we are transformed by the Gospel, we are also equipped to invite others into that same transforming grace. 

Send 

The Send workshop invites congregations to rediscover their identity as a people who are sent into the world for the sake of others. We will explore how to discern where God is already at work in our neighborhoods and how to join that work with courage and humility. Participants will leave with practical frameworks for mobilizing lay leadership and cultivating a culture of everyday mission. 

DISCIPLESHIP 

Discipleship in the Episcopal Church is defined as the lifelong journey of following Jesus, rooted in the baptismal covenant and seeking to serve Christ in all people. In the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego discipleship is the scaffolding of our shared life together. Designed for engagement as single workshops, participants in this track will nurture their own spiritual growth and return home with new skills to share with the congregations that they serve.  

Story Circles- using stories to connect to self, each other and Christ 

Using the method of congregational storytelling developed by The Austin Story Project, we’ll practice small group storytelling to connect more deeply to ourselves, to each other, and to Christ. This workshop is facilitated by Odesma Dalrimple and Amy Reams of St. Luke’s North Park and has an extended time frame of 9:45 am – 11:30 am. 

A Culture of Connection – Building Intentional and Faithful Small Groups, Inside and Outside the Church Walls  

Facilitated by the Reverend Paul Klitzke of Good Samaritan Episcopal Church and Charlette Preslar, EDSD Director of Formation and member of Christ Episcopal Church, Coronado. 

Discipleship for Leaders 

Facilitated by The Reverend Canon Beth Scriven, EDSD Canon to the Ordinary for Leadership. 

FOUNDATIONS 

The Foundations Track offers key workshops to support the day-to-day life of congregations. Great for vestry leadership, communications committees, and advocacy groups, these workshops engage participants in practical ways.  

Three Keys for a Strong Foundation of Giving 

Giving is one of the core spiritual practices we can help members of our congregations develop. Too often, our discomfort talking about money and lack of clarity about ministry goals keep us from supporting people in building that practice. In this session, we’ll look at why it’s important to invite everyone into giving, explore how to plan a year-round approach to cultivating financial support and stewarding people’s generosity, and how to get over the barriers to asking we put in our own way. This workshop is facilitated by David Jay, EDSD Director of Development and member of Good Samaritan Episcopal Church. 

Channels of Communication: Who We’re Talking to and When 

This training explores how the marketing funnel helps churches communicate with clarity, intention, and compassion by understanding who we are talking to and when. Not every message is meant for every person at the same moment — a first-time visitor searching online is in a very different place than a longtime member discerning how to serve. Together, we’ll walk through the stages of awareness, consideration, engagement, and discipleship, and connect each phase to practical communication channels like search, social media, email, and personal invitation. Facilitated by Chris Tumilty, EDSD Director of Communications and member of Resurrection Episcopal Church. 

Know Your Rights Workshop
Whether you have questions about the difference between public and private spaces, how to share legal information, creating family preparedness toolkits, or navigating a caregiver’s authorization when asked, this workshop is filled with helpful tools and information. Join Robert Vivar, EDSD Migration Missioner, to better understand your rights and the risks of caring for immigrants. 

Registration for Leadership Academy is now open. Please use the button below to register before April 16, 2026. 

Register for Leadership Academy