FAQ
Frequently Asked
Questions
How much does the Academy program cost?
There is no charge for the Academy as it is covered by your C3 levies.
Can we just get the video content without doing all of the Academy?
We totally want the Academy program to be customisable for every local C3 Church. However, the Academy is a holistic tool and the greatest results are seen in implementing the full program. So for now, why not fully jump in and see for yourself. We are pretty confident you'll be glad you did.
Can someone else other than the Senior Pastor run the Academy in my church?
It is recommended that the Pastor facilitates their Academy group, but in some instances a different high level team leader may be nominated as the Academy facilitator.
What content is covered across the Academy Group Sessions?
As a taste test, here is the Group Session outline for Year 1 Q1 and Q2:
- YEAR 1: equipping leaders to grow from leading others to leading leaders.
- YEAR 2: equipping leaders to grow from leading leaders to leading a department / ministry area.
- Q1 PERSONAL WORLD: As Academy is intentionally holistic, before we continue looking ‘out’ at what we can do for God, we look afresh at what He is continuing to form ‘in’ us
- Q2 MINISTRY DEVELOPMENT: Insights in discipleship, serving the needs of others and ministry skills.
- Q3 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Core practices to effectively lead leaders (Yr1) and lead departments / ministry areas (Yr2).
- Q4 CHURCH FOUNDATIONS: Understanding the essential revelations, structures and focuses necessary in life giving churches.
How are the 90 minute group sessions formatted?
The general Group Session format:
- Prayer of approach
- Worship moment
- 5 minute compelling summary (spin the pen to determine who presents)
- Group discussion
- Facilitator encouragements
- Accountability
- Prayer
Do Academy Group Sessions need to be in person?
As Academy is a relational discipleship model, group sessions are recommended to be run in-person and if possible in a relational environment like a home. However, Zoom group sessions can also work. 3 examples from our pilot groups:
- Pastors John & Danielle Pearce are facilitating a group of 8 students with a mix of in-person in their home (at times including a meal) and on Zoom.
- Tamati Cameron is facilitating an in-person group with 10 male students.
- Jason Schroeder is facilitating a hybrid group with 4 students in-person in his home and 3 joining on Zoom from their location in Bali.
What sort of leaders should I target for my Academy group?
It is assumed Academy students will already be at a Connect Group leader level. They should be identified as people with a strong sense of ministry call on their lives. People you want to invest into and see rise in maturity, fruitfulness and responsibility. Academy is also useful to further train & help fill formation gaps in newer Pastors or current key leaders. Content covered in Facilitator Coaching Cohorts in October and November (see FAQ 'What is the deal with Facilitator Coaching Cohorts?' below) will also help you determine who may be best to invite.
Do students need to do both Year 1 & Year 2 of the Academy?
Ideally, yes. Academy year 1 helps form leaders at Connect Group leader level towards department/ministry area leader level. Year 2 helps form leaders at department/ministry leader level towards a pastoral level.
What is the deal with Facilitator Coaching Cohorts?
These are amazing opportunities to connect, learn and grow with other Senior Pastors. For Y1, there are 4 x 1 hour interactive Zoom sessions in total: October, 2025, November 2025, March 2026 and June 2026 . Groups sizes are 8-12 Pastors. Content and discussion will:
- Sharpen leadership identification
- Train to facilitate an Academy group
- Increase leadership development skills
- Encourage and empower effective leadership formation practices