First Thursday Webinar: A Conversation with Matt Uitii of Woodside Bible Church

Описание: Dave Miller of Leadership Pathway has a conversation with the architect of Woodside Bible Church leadership development program which has seen over 300 graduates.

Matt’s Ministry Journey
• Started in architecture, switched to ministry in 2004-2005
o Parents were first-generation believers who prioritized local church proximity
o Found fulfillment discipling students on Wednesday nights over architecture projects
o Left architecture one year before graduation (needed master’s for licensing)
• Began at Woodside Bible Church in 2007
o Started as youth pastor at new campus location
o Campus grew from startup to 800-900 people over 9 years
o Transitioned to next-gen director role, collaborated across multiple campuses
California Experience & Return
• Left Woodside in 2016 for California church opportunity
o Attracted by chance to “totally reinvent” next-gen ministry
o Church had misaligned vision between elder board, executive team, and staff
o Became “collateral damage” in organizational dysfunction
• Healing process included therapeutic counseling through Care for Pastors ministry
o Used John 15 pruning metaphor for personal growth
o Senior pastor maintained relationship with regular check-ins during absence
• Returned to Woodside in 2023 for Leadership Institute role
o Senior pastor proactively recruited him back
o Transitioned to current central ministry oversight role in January 2024
Woodside Leadership Institute Structure
• 10-year program with ~350 participants, 60 now on staff
• Five-tier development pathway:
1. Intern Light (ages 16-17, high enthusiasm discovery)
2. Internship (post-freshman year college, unpaid)
3. Residency Year 1 (paid, refining calling)
4. Residency Year 2 (reapplication required, higher expectations)
5. Lead Pastoral Residency (18-24 months, campus/senior pastor prep)
• Current focus: developing “leaders of leaders” vs. coordinators
o Goal is director-ready vs. administrative-ready outcomes
o Two-year residency program with staff-ready endpoint
Program Development & Recruiting
• Strategic partnerships with theological schools
o 12 substantial scholarships available
o Recruiting at Christian university job fairs
• Internal recruiting emphasis from 14 campuses, 10,000 attendees
• Thursday intensive format: 60 minutes split between lecture (30-40 min) and lab work
o Critical mass of 12-15 participants for peer interaction
o Fall semester focuses on EQ and relational intelligence
• Every participant requires boss relationship + spiritual formation mentor
Current Challenges & Future Vision
• Gen Z development needs:
o Emotional intelligence and relational intelligence gaps
o Self-awareness deficits leading to ministry mistakes
o Need for real-time feedback vs. lecture-heavy approaches
• Middle management development priority
o Success depends heavily on direct supervisor quality
o Campus pastors need training in people development vs. just shepherding
• Vision for multi-tier mentorship structures
o All staff levels (20s through 40s) need continued development
o Professional coaching and advanced education pathways