The leadership structure of each Academy is the same. Yet every Academy is uniquely a ministry of the congregation that has chartered it. The mission of every volunteer at every Academy is the same: work with my brother- and sister-volunteers to assure that our Academy provides for parent-led education that forms disciples of Christ. Nonetheless, the particular way that each Academy chooses to fulfill that mission can be as diverse as is the Body of Christ.
By design, Academy leadership is a group of men and women volunteers all pulling in the same direction under the authority of the congregational leader. The responsibilities for leading each Academy are divided among two groups: The Shepherds and the Stewards. We describe the roles and responsibilities of each group and individual below.
Shepherds
The Shepherds ensure that each Academy delivers the KAP Program as a unique ministry of the chartering congregation. They enable the Stewards to provide their congregation's particular expression of the KAP discipleship experience to every Pathfinder.
The Academy Shepherds provide oversight and guidance for the Academy as a whole. Each Discipleship Shepherd guides a component of the discipleship efforts of the Academy.
The Academy Shepherds
Guiding the Volunteers
Senior Shepherd
Each Academy is owned and operated by a local congregation. The Senior Shepherd is the top decision maker for that congregation. This is the individual who has the authority to commit the congregation to running an Academy and to delegate leadership of that Academy. Senior Shepherds typically are not involved in the operations of the Academy, but may be so at their discretion.
Bridging Shepherd
The Bridging Shepherd embodies the authority of the Senior Shepherd within the Academy. This person is the bridge that connects the congregation's particular discipleship vision to KAP's discipleship program. The Bridging Shepherd's job is to assure the Academy operates in a manner consistent with the expectations of the leadership of the congregation.
Executive Shepherd
The Executive Shepherd functions as the chief executive officer of the Academy. This individual directs the implementation of the KAP program. The Executive Shepherd works with the Stewards to coordinate the overall activity of the Academy. As the leader of the community, the Executive Shepherd leads the Academy in teaching the members to “love your neighbor as yourself,” in collaboration with all the of the Discipleship Shepherds.
The Discipleship Shepherds
Guiding the Discipleship Efforts
Heart and Soul Shepherd
The Heart and Soul Shepherd heads up the efforts to teach the parents and children to love the Lord their God with all their hearts and souls. This individual is responsible for providing spiritual leadership to the Academy. The Heart and Soul Shepherd works to equip parents to work with their children in developing emotionally and spiritually.
Mind Shepherd
The Academy Mind Shepherd heads up the efforts to teach the parents and children to love the Lord their God with all their minds. This individual oversees efforts to match families with educational approaches and curriculum; works with the other Discipleship Shepherds to set up cooperative classes that train the mind in a context that builds heart, soul, and strength as well where feasible; and coordinates efforts to help parents work through academic difficulties.
Strength Shepherd
The Strength (Physical Education) Shepherd heads up the efforts to teach the parents and children to love the Lord their God with all their strength (physical bodies). This individual is responsible for providing leadership in the area of training of and about the physical body. This role may include establishing shared opportunities for individual and team sports as well as corporate teaching about nutrition, exercise, and other issues related to physical well being.
Stewards
The Stewards work with the Shepherds to show the Pathfinders what it means for them to love the Lord their God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind and with all their strength.
The Academy Stewards maintain the material possessions of the Academy in a manner that honors God. They seek to enable the Academy to deliver the program to each age group in a way that meets their unique needs.
The Discipleship Stewards are the volunteers that typically most directly work with parents and children to assure that the Shepherds' vision for discipleship is delivered in a manner that frees each parent and child to truly live as a Pathfinder.
The Academy Stewards
Stewarding the Resources
Academy Financial Steward (Treasurer)
The Academy Financial Steward oversees the finances of the Academy. The Financial Steward works with the Executive Shepherd to set an annual budget for the Academy and with the Equipment Steward to regularly assess the material needs of the Academy.
Academy Equipment Steward
The Academy Equipment Steward is responsible for overseeing the care and use of the material resources of the Academy, apart from its financial resources. The Equipment Steward works with all of the leaders to assure that they have the materials they need when and where they need them. The Equipment Steward will typically be better informed about the overall operations of the Academy than anyone save the Executive Shepherd.
The Discipleship Stewards
Stewarding the Discipleship Structures
Unit Stewards
Each age group within the Academy is called a Unit. Each Unit is led by a Unit Steward who focuses on working with that age group. The Unit Stewards work as a team with the Executive Shepherd to provide an overall discipleship structure for each Pathfinder in the Academy. These individual direct the Units and work with the Unit Discipleship Stewards to deliver the Discipleship program to the families in an age-appropriate manner. If an Academy chooses to offer cooperative classes these are generally delivered at the Unit level and the Unit Steward is responsible for coordinating them. Field trips and other group activities may be coordinated within or among Units.
Unit Discipleship Stewards
Each Unit has three Discipleship Stewards: 1) A Heart and Soul Steward, 2) A Mind Steward, and 3) A Strength Steward. These Stewards work with their respective Discipleship Shepherds to choose appropriate materials and tools for the members of their units. They also work with the Unit Stewards to deliver those materials and tools to the Pathfinders in their Units, including their families.