There are a number of things in the delivery of the course that together make it unique. Four very significant aspects are:

1. The amount of time the trainee is actually ‘doing’ and ‘practicing’ the material rather than passively ‘listening’ to lectures. In reality each of the carefully trained instructors are motivated by the phrase, ‘They will not remember so much what we say, but they will remember what they do. There is intentionally a high trainer-trainee ratio to ensure that the one-on-one interaction results in maximum learning.
    
2. Interactive training throughout the course.
    
3. While the instructors will introduce new training content, they are committed wherever possible to help the class discover the answers for themselves by sharing their combined knowledge in a very interactive climate.
    
4. There is a carefully planned progression of the training that follows a Biblical emphasis.

‘Training’ in the ITA context is focused on developing the participants skills, and doing it in such a practiced way that the trainees will remember the principles.

The principles are taught in such a way that the participant can readily make them transferable to their colleagues or team members.

Philosophy of Training

1. Jesus' last words to his followers were to make disciples, that leads to the reality of leadership. Although it's clear that not everyone has the same leadership abilities, nor the same responsibility in leadership or spiritual gifting, it is clear that everyone can grow in developing basic leadership skills.
    
2. Because the training is principle centred, a wide varity of people have greatly benefited from participating in the course. A parent with a desire to be more effective in raising a family will be blessed by the skills that are dealt with in the course as much as a church planter, Bible translator, or leader of a large mission organization.
    
3. The training is aimed at 'how to do' things, rather than just 'knowing' a lot about them. Emphasis is therefore given to the practising of skills. This practise however changes attitudes about being a leader, as a result of a growing level of confidence through the experience and encouragement gained in the practise.

Outcomes

The training is aimed at very specific outcomes, meeting the needs of leaders in local churches and international agencies. The main aim is to develop skills in the areas of:

• Building meaningful relationships, so that leaders will be able to confidently develop genuine relationships with those in their families, on their teams, in their work and outreach. They will be given Biblical tools and they will better understand the people they lead and serve.

• Effective communication, especially through the use of stories and the modular approach to putting a talk together.

• Motivating others, helping people to desire the value of what is presented and make the  decision to purchase, implement or join.

• Management skills, needed to increase effectiveness in ones personal life, projects and in partnership with others.  Five key elements of management are focussed on. The participant has the opportunity to practice and to apply these elements to their lives and ministries.

• Creative thinking and finding solutions for problems and challenges.

• Decision making tools, in order to work through a process for making hard decisions as a team.

• Training skills will be developed and sharpened, especially focussing on the leading of relevant and applicable workshops.

• Public Relations tools are given in order to develop a plan of action for ministry.

• Biblical tools are given to help develop a sustainable and balanced lifestyle.

The objectives of the training throughout the two weeks Leadership Matters Course are building skills, changed attitudes and growth in Christ like character.