Our History
Our History
Christian Leadership Alliance has a rich history, and many dynamic leaders
have invested in this organization through the years. The name has changed
several times, but the dedication to providing Christian leaders with the best
in leadership training and resources has always been at the forefront of all we do.
It all began on March 20, 1976, when a group of 20 people met for the first
time in a small meeting room inside the old Rodger Young Auditorium in Los
Angeles. They called themselves the Christian Financial Executives Association,
and little did they know they were igniting a movement that is today known as Christian
Leadership Alliance.
The founders identified a true felt-need for professional growth and
practical understanding of business fundamentals. Ensuring all best practices
were based on a biblical worldview, they were compelled to share what they knew
with those who had not yet learned it. They desired to strengthen the Christian
leaders and the organizations they served, all for the ultimate goal of
advancing the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Timeline
1976
First organizational meeting with 20 individuals at Rodger Young Auditorium
in Los Angeles. First meeting of the then “Christian Financial
Executives Association.”
1978
Name is changed to Financial Executives of Christian Organizations.
1979
Incorporated in the State of California as religious nonprofit
corporation.
1981
Sylvia Nash becomes the first executive director.
1983
Name is changed to Christian Ministries Management Association.
CMA’s Christian Management Report magazine launched.
1991
Name is changed to Christian Management Association.
1994
John Pearson becomes president and CEO.
1995
The first monthly newsletter is published to members. CMA partners with the
CEO Dialogues.
2000
The Presidents Leadership Circle is established. Later renamed Christian
Management Partners, then Christian Leadership Partners.
2006
Frank Lofaro becomes president and CEO.
2007
The Engstrom Institute is launched within Christian Leadership Alliance.
2008
Outcomes magazine and OutcomesOnline launched.
Christian Management Association and Christian Stewardship Association join to
form Christian Leadership Alliance.
Christian Leadership Alliance assumes leadership of former CSA annual training event, which eventually
becomes Christian Nonprofit Leadership Academy.
Christian Leadership Alliance launches its leadership Webinar series.
2010
Christian Leadership Alliance becomes affiliated with Azusa Pacific
University and the development of the Engstrom Institute shifts to APU.
2011
Christian Leadership Alliance Online learning, powered by APOU, is launched.
Christian Leadership Alliance publishes NonProfit Leadership in a For-Profit World: Essential Insights
from 15 Christian Executives.
2012
Tami Heim becomes the new president and CEO.
Christian Leadership Alliance publishes Becoming a Steward Leader: Fundamentally change the way you
think, lead and live
First meeting of new Christian Leadership Alliance Advisory Council.
Jerry White and Ray Lyne receive Christian Leadership Alliance’s first Consul Awards.
Christian Leadership Alliance launches new membership model.
Christian Leadership Alliance becomes active on social media platforms: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter,
Google + and Pinterest.
The Christian Leadership Alliance daily digital paper.li launches.
2013
Christian Leadership Alliance launches the Higher Thinking Blog and new website.
C.E. Crouse receives the Christian Leadership Alliance Consul Award.
Christian Leadership Alliance launches the first Christian Women in Leadership Forum.
Christian Leadership Alliance introduces Leader2Leader peer advisory groups in four states.
First CCNL graduation is held as part of the CLA National Conference.
2014
Christian Leadership Alliance becomes a certified Best Christian Workplace.
The Christian Leadership Nonproft Academy co-locates with the Christian Leadership Alliance National
Conference in Dallas, TX.
The Christian Leadership Alliance National Conference general sessions are Live-streamed for the first
time on the Internet.
Christian Leadership Alliance introduces CLAtalks, offers conferees a Digital Pass to Conference
content, and uses a comprehensive APP for conference scheduling.
Dr. Jim Canning receives the Christian Leadership Alliance Consul Award.
Christian Leadership Alliance changes the name of its national conference to THE OUTCOMES CONFERENCE
and establishes Dallas, TX as the conference site through 2020.
CLATV: 24/7 Internet TV and radio launches with over 100 content providers
featured on the platform.
2015
The Outcomes Mentoring Network is lanuched in January 2015.
Christian Leadership Alliances launches Outcomes365 at a new address: leadership.bible.
Christian Leadership Alliance Higher Thinking Blog ranks among the top 100 Leadership Blogs on the Internet.
2016
Christian Leadership Alliance celebrates its 40th year of equipping and uniting Christian leaders.
Mark Holbrook receives the Christian Leadership Alliance Consul Award.
The Outcomes Academy Online becomes available for exclusive use in member ministries.
The Capstone Project is added to the CCNL Credential Program.
Christian Leadership Alliance continues its consistant recognition as a certified Best Christian Workplace.