Discover LDS leadership training principles, resources, and programmes. Learn how Church callings develop Christlike leadership skills and spiritual growth.
Written by Laura Bouttell • Fri 28th November 2025
Leadership training within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints represents one of the most comprehensive volunteer leadership development systems in the world. LDS leadership training focuses on developing Christlike attributes whilst serving others through Church callings—a unique approach that blends spiritual growth with practical leadership skills. Unlike corporate leadership programmes that measure success through profit margins and market share, Church leadership training measures success through the spiritual welfare and eternal progression of those being served.
The Church's approach to leadership development operates on a fundamental premise that distinguishes it from secular models: every member is a potential leader, and every calling—regardless of its visibility or scope—provides genuine leadership experience. This egalitarian philosophy creates a remarkable laboratory for leadership development, one that has quietly produced millions of capable leaders over the past two centuries.
LDS leadership training encompasses the formal and informal programmes, resources, and experiences that prepare members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to serve effectively in their callings. This training system combines doctrinal instruction, practical skill development, and spiritual preparation to create leaders who can minister to others whilst strengthening their own testimonies.
At its core, LDS leadership training differs from secular leadership development in several important ways:
| Aspect | LDS Leadership Training | Corporate Leadership Training |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Spiritual welfare of others | Organisational performance |
| Selection Method | Inspired calling by authorised leaders | Merit-based promotion |
| Duration | Temporary (rotating callings) | Often permanent positions |
| Compensation | Voluntary service | Financial remuneration |
| Success Metrics | Faith, conversion, retention | Revenue, efficiency, growth |
| Training Focus | Christlike attributes | Management competencies |
The Church provides extensive resources through its official website, including the Leadership Training Library and comprehensive Callings and Training Support materials designed to help members succeed in their service.
The cornerstone of all LDS leadership training rests upon a simple yet profound principle: leaders must learn to lead as the Saviour led. This approach, articulated in Church handbooks and training materials, establishes Jesus Christ as the ultimate leadership exemplar.
Christlike leadership manifests through several key characteristics that Church training programmes consistently emphasise:
President Gordon B. Hinckley captured this principle eloquently:
"Effective teaching is the very essence of leadership in the Church. Eternal life will come only as men and women are taught with such effectiveness that they change and discipline their lives. They cannot be coerced into righteousness or into heaven. They must be led, and that means teaching."
This teaching-centred approach distinguishes LDS leadership from command-and-control models prevalent in many organisations.
Church callings serve as the primary vehicle for leadership development within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. According to the General Handbook, those who serve in the Church are "called of God," with leaders seeking the Spirit's guidance in determining whom to call.
Several principles govern the calling system:
The Church offers diverse leadership opportunities across its organisational structure:
Ward and Branch Level:
Stake and District Level:
Area and General Level:
Each level provides progressively broader leadership experience, though the Church emphasises that no calling is inherently more valuable than another.
The General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serves as the primary resource for Church leaders. This comprehensive guide covers:
Chapter 4, "Leadership and Councils in the Church of Jesus Christ," provides foundational instruction on how leaders should prepare spiritually, work within councils, and fulfil their responsibilities.
The Leadership Pattern represents a specialised training programme developed for Church employees, though its principles apply broadly to Church service. This programme identifies 9 talents and 48 behaviours that characterise Christlike leadership.
According to BYU-Idaho's Human Resources description, the Leadership Pattern helps "the Church workforce know how to do the Lord's work in the Lord's way... bringing together the best of doctrine, principles, and applications—guiding us to a higher level of behavior and performance and helping each of us to become more Christlike."
The Church maintains an extensive Leadership Training Library with video resources covering:
These resources allow leaders to learn at their own pace and review materials as needed throughout their service.
The Church provides a structured approach for members to learn their calling responsibilities, as outlined in the Duties and Blessings of the Priesthood manual:
Certain callings require specific training completion. Most notably, the Church requires all leaders working with children and youth to complete the children and youth protection training within one month of being sustained. This training must be renewed every three years.
Council-based leadership represents a distinctive feature of Church governance. Rather than individual decision-making, the Church emphasises collaborative leadership through various councils:
| Council | Composition | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Ward Council | Bishopric, auxiliary leaders, others | Coordinate ward efforts and address member needs |
| Bishopric Meeting | Bishop and counsellors | Oversee ward temporal and spiritual affairs |
| Stake Presidency Meeting | Stake president and counsellors | Direct stake-level initiatives |
| High Council | Stake presidency and high councillors | Support stake programmes and resolve concerns |
Effective council leadership requires:
Unlike secular leadership training that focuses primarily on skills and techniques, LDS leadership training places spiritual preparation at its foundation. The General Handbook emphasises that leaders should "draw close to Heavenly Father through prayer, scripture study, and obedience to His commandments."
This spiritual grounding serves several purposes:
Effective spiritual preparation includes:
Success in Church leadership defies simple metrics. Rather than counting baptisms, attendance figures, or programme participation, the Church encourages leaders to focus on:
This approach reflects the Church's emphasis on eternal outcomes over temporal measurements.
One of the most significant challenges Church leaders face involves balancing demanding callings with family responsibilities. The General Handbook explicitly addresses this concern, noting that callings "should not place undue burdens on individuals and families."
Strategies for maintaining balance include:
Leadership inevitably brings disappointments—programmes that fail, members who struggle, and personal inadequacies that surface. Church leaders are counselled to:
Many members discover that skills developed through Church service translate directly into professional success. Leadership callings develop:
With over 17 million members worldwide, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates one of the largest volunteer leadership development programmes on earth. Each week, hundreds of thousands of members gain leadership experience through their callings—experience that shapes families, communities, and organisations far beyond Church walls.
This global reach means that LDS leadership training occurs across every culture, language, and socioeconomic context, creating remarkable diversity in leadership approaches whilst maintaining unified principles.
If you're new to the Church and anticipating your first calling:
If you've served in multiple callings and desire continued development:
Most Church callings do not require pre-service training. Members learn their duties after being called and sustained. However, callings involving children and youth require completion of protection training within one month of being sustained. The Church provides resources through its official website and handbooks to help members learn their responsibilities.
Calling duration varies significantly based on the position and local circumstances. Some callings last a few months, whilst others may extend for several years. The Church emphasises that callings are temporary and that members should serve faithfully regardless of duration, trusting that leaders will receive inspiration about when changes are needed.
Members may discuss concerns with their leaders before accepting a calling. The Church encourages honest communication about personal circumstances, health limitations, or family situations that might affect service. However, the Church also teaches that accepting callings demonstrates faith and provides growth opportunities that might otherwise be missed.
LDS leadership training focuses primarily on developing Christlike attributes and serving others spiritually, whilst corporate training typically emphasises performance metrics and organisational outcomes. Church training is volunteer-based, calling-centred, and measures success through spiritual welfare rather than financial results. Both approaches develop valuable skills, but their foundational purposes differ significantly.
The Church offers extensive resources including the General Handbook, calling-specific manuals, the Leadership Training Library (video resources), online courses, leadership meetings, and personal instruction from presiding leaders. All official resources are available through churchofjesuschrist.org at no cost to members.
Spiritual preparation involves consistent scripture study, meaningful prayer, temple attendance, Sabbath observance, and personal worthiness. Leaders are encouraged to seek revelation regarding those they serve and to draw upon the Holy Ghost for guidance in their decisions. The General Handbook emphasises that spiritual preparation enables leaders to receive inspiration for their specific responsibilities.
No previous experience is required for most Church callings. The Church operates on the principle that callings provide opportunities to develop leadership skills rather than requiring them in advance. Members are expected to learn their duties through study, prayer, and counsel with other leaders. This approach allows everyone to serve regardless of professional or educational background.
Leadership training within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers a distinctive approach to developing capable, compassionate leaders. By centring training on Christlike attributes, emphasising service over status, and providing rotating opportunities for all members, the Church has created a remarkable system for leadership development.
Whether serving as a Primary teacher, elders quorum president, or stake leader, every calling provides genuine opportunities to develop skills that bless individuals, strengthen families, and build communities. The principles taught—servant leadership, inspired decision-making, council-based governance, and spiritual preparation—transcend religious boundaries to offer valuable insights for anyone seeking to lead more effectively.
For those beginning their journey with LDS leadership training, the path forward is clear: study the scriptures and handbooks, seek revelation through prayer, learn from experienced leaders, and trust that the Lord qualifies those He calls. In doing so, members discover that Church service transforms not only those they lead but themselves as well.