The Leader Cohort Program is for worship leaders who are actively serving in their local church’s worship ministry, regardless of function or role. Many of our participants will be full-time, vocational worship leaders, but this is not required.

This program is ultimately designed for anyone involved in their local church’s worship ministry who is seeking an educational, practical, and community-centric training program.

The Leader Cohort Program is Worship Initiative’s flagship experience for vocational worship leaders and ministers. The 32-week program provides on-the-job training and worship education within the context of a cohort model to create relational depth and lasting community.

The 2025-26 Leader Cohort Program will kick-off mid-September 2025 and run through mid-May 2026.

The program runs for 8 months (32 weeks) and we estimate that the time commitment will be about 2-4 hours per week.Your cohort group will meet formally (either virtually or in-person) meet twice a month, and we expect the other two weeks per month will include reflection and practical response to things you're learning and navigating as a group.

It’s a steady rhythm built to strengthen—not stretch—your life in ministry.

Yes, the cost is $400 per month ($3,200 total) for the 8-month journey. We believe this investment reflects the depth of development, mentorship, and community the program is designed to offer.However, we understand that this is a significant investment. We expect most participants to receive financial support from their local church as part of their leadership development or from their personal community of family and friends. We have seen God provide in incredible ways when it comes to finances and fundraising!

The format of the gathering will be dependent on which program you choose to be a part of.

Virtual programs will be 100% virtual with the opportunity to gather corporately with other program participants throughout the 8-month journey.

In-person programs will be a blend of both in-person, local gatherings and virtual gatherings, typically tied to the larger program-wide teachings, Q&As, and events.

The program's themes are based on six (6) core modules split into two semesters.

Fall Semester
Orthodoxy & The Foundations of Worship Leadership

• A Theology and History of Musical Worship & Why It Matters for Eternity

• Health of a Leader: Spiritual, Emotional, Physical & Mental Diagnostic

• The Role of Worship Leader: Musician, Minister & Multiplier

Spring Semester
Orthopraxy & The Practice of Worship Leadership

• Leading a Team: Building the Leadership Toolkit Needed for Growing Ministries

• Being Led by Your Pastors: The Most Important Relationship in Your Ministry Requires Work

• Redefining Success in Worship Ministry: Convictions > Evaluations

We’re planning to offer both co-ed and gender-specific cohorts. The exact distribution is still in process as we gauge interest and discern how to best serve those who apply. Our goal is to create spaces that foster honesty, connection, and spiritual growth—and we’ll thoughtfully place participants in cohorts with that in mind.

Our proprietary curriculum is based on six (6) core modules each including the following:

• Keystone “big picture” teachings

• Practical “helps-with-this-Sunday” lessons

• Reflection-based and application-centered homework

• Facilitated small group discussion with supportive guides and questions

• Supplementary readings, assessments, and worksheets for going deeper

• Interactive webinars, Q&As, and program-wide events