We are centred on Jesus and guided by Scripture. This isn't merely a statement of belief; it shapes our entire educational approach. Every course, gathering, and conversation is informed by Scripture and oriented toward Christ. At the same time, we engage contemporary challenges with compassion. We believe biblical theology speaks directly to today's questions when thoughtfully applied.
Our welcome extends across denominational and cultural lines, even as our Presbyterian identity grounds us. We intentionally build bridges between traditions, gathering leaders from various backgrounds to learn from one another. We design programs and create learning environments where theological diversity enriches rather than divides. Acknowledging that we all have a culture, we seek to learn from the diverse cultures in our community, centring a breadth of voices and identities.
Hospitality is central to who we are. We value face-to-face gathering and shared meals because we believe transformation happens around tables, not just in classrooms. CML’s physical space, St. Andrew’s Hall, serves as a welcoming, safe retreat where leaders can pause, breathe, and experience genuine welcome.
We value and equip churches that desire to display the compassion of Jesus in concrete, tangible ways: through advocacy for the marginalized, inclusion of voices often overlooked, and sacrificial service to local communities. This commitment influences our program choices, speaker selection, and the types of ministry models we highlight.
We train leaders to lead collaboratively because we lead collaboratively ourselves. This means genuinely listening to others, honouring diverse voices, and making decisions together. Our team represents multiple denominations and perspectives, and we model the kind of generous, Spirit-led collaboration we hope to see in the churches we serve.
We partner with leaders in their transformation journey, recognizing that genuine change requires more than acquiring new knowledge; it demands personal renewal, fresh imagination, and Spirit-led growth. Our “pracademic” model reflects this: scholar-practitioners who've experienced transformation themselves walk alongside leaders who are navigating their own change.
Every program, resource, and gathering serves the flourishing of local churches.The local church is not merely one ministry setting among many; it's a primary means through which Christ speaks to the world, makes disciples, and trains future leaders. Everything we do at CML serves local congregations. We don't extract leaders from their contexts for abstract theological education; we equip them to serve more faithfully where they're planted.
We care for leaders' complete well-being, not just their theological knowledge or ministry skills. This means building rest into our retreats, addressing mental health openly, building community, encouraging sustainable ministry practices, and creating safe spaces for leaders to acknowledge struggles.