Nollau Leadership Institute Creates Servant Leaders Across UCC

Most people might not associate “servant leadership” with financial institutions. But Chuck Hollingsworth would beg to differ.

Hollingsworth, who is chief lending officer for the United Church of Christ’s Cornerstone Fund, participated in the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries’ Nollau Leadership Institute last year, and came away with new perspectives on implementing the concept of servant leadership.

“The things I carry with me the most are the relationships and available resources I can share across the country,” he says, “as well as the appreciative inquiry method when working with church and organizational leaders.”

Hollingsworth is just one of many people from UCC and partner ministries who have participated in the Institute. The year-long program provides education and leadership training for CHHSM members and partnering organizations.

A session during a past Nollau Leadership Institute class retreat.

“The Nollau Leadership Institute, CHHSM’s signature program, has graduated more than 250 participants and equipped our member ministries and partners with Servant Leaders,” says the Rev. Danielle Bartz, CHHSM’s associate for advocacy and leadership development. “We are proud of this program and are excited to begin work with a new class.”

Created in 2011, the Institute is named after the Rev. Louis Edward Nollau, a 19th-century missionary, preacher and founder of several CHHSM ministries. Nollau’s bold commitment to servant leadership continues to inspire participants today.

The program begins each April and concludes the following March. It includes three in-person retreats, an online learning platform, and conference calls between 15-20 participants throughout the year. Class members also present workshops during the CHHSM annual meeting each March.

The upcoming retreats will be held April 16-19, 2018; Sept. 17-20, 2018; and Jan. 28-31, 2019. All three will take place at the Retreat Center at Cedar Valley, part of CHHSM-member ministry Cedar Community in West Bend, Wis.

“We are looking forward to holding the upcoming class’ retreats at Cedar Valley,” says Bartz. “This retreat facility is a favorite among our graduates because of its comfort and home-like atmosphere — not to mention its amazing food!”

The Nollau Leadership Institute emphasizes the kind of integrated leadership that its namesake modeled — professional excellence rooted in faith-based purpose.

“The Nollau experience provides more than external servant leadership models,” Hollingsworth says. “The program, people, and especially the small team group help with the internal items that helps one identify ways to serve.”

Applications for the 2018-2019 Nollau Leadership Institute class will be accepted beginning in September. Registration closes Jan. 31, 2018.

Questions about the Nollau Institute? Contact us.