Leadership in the New Parish
homeACADEMICS   Leadership in the New Parish   Steps to Apply
"'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'
'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat.
'I don't much care where –' said Alice.
'Then it doesn't matter which way you go,' said the Cat.
'–so long as I get somewhere,' Alice added as an explanation."
-Lewis Carroll
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Steps to apply

Apply Online Today!

Application Cycle

The Leadership in the New Parish Certificate Application deadlines are:

  • Round 1 Deadline: May 20
  • Round 2 Deadline: June 17

After the general deadline, applications will be accepted as space is available.

Steps to Apply

  • Complete the online application form and submit photo
  • Submit $50 application fee. (Inhabit Conference attendees are eligible to have this fee waived.)
  • Narrative Statement of Purpose (using reflection questions provided below)
  • Summary of Experience (see below)
  • Recommendation from a leader or mentor (see below)
  • Letter of Sending from your church or community (see below)

Submit applications materials to:

The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology
Attn: Certificate Admissions
2501 Elliott Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121

Electronic submissions are preferred and may be sent to admissions@theseattleschool.edu. Please mark “Certificates” in the subject line.

Summary of Experience

Please complete a 1-3 page summary of experiences related to your certificate offering of interest. Detail dates and roles, as applicable. This summary is used to provide context on who you are and what you bring to the table and assists in small group placement. This summary may include (but is not limited to) the following:

  • Vocational & Occupational Background
  • Academic Background
  • Trainings & Group Work (both as a facilitator or as a participant)
  • Conferences & Workshops
  • Relational and/or Leadership Experiences
  • Personal Growth & Therapeutic Experiences

Narrative Statement of Purpose

Please answer all of the following questions as completely and accurately as possible:

  • Share what draws you to the Leadership in the New Parish Certificate and how you imagine the mission and ethos of this program will prepare you to engage in transforming work.
  • Share some context about you, your church, your neighborhood; and the ways in which your church currently relates to its neighborhood.
  • Briefly name and describe the capacity in which you have been working in your church and neighborhood. Provide an example of a regular practice that roots you in your neighborhood.

Letter of Sending and Recommendation

Download the Letter of Recommendation Form

Download the Letter of Sending Form

All applicants must submit a Letter of Recommendation and a Letter of Sending. The Letter of Recommendation should come from a leader or mentor who can attest to both your character and readiness. The Letter of Sending should come from a representative within your church who can write on behalf of your community regarding their support of both your decision to apply, and their commitment to reimagining their vision in the parish throughout the process.