Eight members of the youth ministry team from Webber Memorial Baptist Church and I had the opportunity to participate in the most unique leadership training I have experienced in my 15+ years of ministry. The HALT (Horse Assisted Leadership Training) Clinic is a hands-on, Scripture-based tool that we utilized to make our team and our student ministry more effective.
The clinic was everything promised by the instructors and more. “Horses are used as a tool for growth and learning. These clinics are two to three, three-hour sessions for individuals or groups and target adults and older teens. The clinic addresses key components of leadership excellence centered around three themes: envisioning a bright future, commitment to a lifestyle of learning and growing, and building partnerships and teams on trust and respect. Meeting one's God-given personal potential is the lens through which leadership is defined.”
We built relationships with the horses and each other. We discovered our natural tendencies for leadership, how we communicate and where our biggest struggles are both as individuals and as a team. We are continually returning to the lessons we learned during HALT and building upon it.
I attribute this to the hands-on nature of the program. The lessons we experienced have stuck with us. This method of learning is fun, adventurous and challenging. We are no longer satisfied with what we have because we have been exposed to the potential of God inside of us. Our team has seen a glimpse of who God has created us to be and we will continue to move in that direction.
For information on the Horse Assisted Leadership Training program check their website: www.rockyhillstables.com.