About Us

Our Vision

Every Coptic church is a spiritual, national institution that is purposeful, fruitful, and growing.

Our Mission

The institute aims to support churches in adopting the principles of institutional and developmental thinking for the Church. It does so by using practical and applicable methods and tools of ecclesiastical management and development, respecting the unique identity of the Coptic Church, as a spiritual institution with growing resources, a national role, and a commitment to improving its services through structured approaches. The institute fulfills this role by offering training programs, granting specialized certificates, and providing consultancy services to dioceses and churches in areas such as institutional development, church

Dean's Message

 Sowing and Reaping

The Institute’s Ministry (2020–2024)

 

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected all church activities, the Institute continued its training programs and consultancy services for a number of dioceses and churches.

A series of specialized training programs (conducted remotely) was launched starting mid-September 2020 and continues to this day, offering programs for the following topics:

"The Church and Institutional Development", "The Church and Change Management", "The Church and Strategic Management", "The Church and Digital Communications", "The Church and Community Development", "The Church and Crisis Management", "Managing the Ministry System", and "The Church and Human Resources".

These programs were attended by priests, monks, and service leaders from churches both inside and outside Egypt.

The Institute also continued delivering the Basic Training Course (both in-person and online) for the priests of Port Said, under the supervision of H.G. Bishop Tadros, Metropolitan of Port Said. The same course was also offered to several churches in Cairo, Alexandria, Aswan, and Upper Egypt — both North and South.

At the request of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the esteemed hierarchs of the Holy Synod, the Institute organized the 8th Holy Synod Seminar on “Church Management and Development,” which was attended by 98 metropolitans and bishops. The seminar took place from November 16–19, 2021, under the theme “The Overseer from Above.” 

Upon the kind invitation of H.G. Bishop Yulius, General Bishop of Public and Social Services, the Institute conducted a “Midterm Evaluation of the Comprehensive and Integrated Community Development Program,” which has been managed by the Bishopric of Services since 2018 in several rural and informal communities across Egypt. The Institute also carried out the “Final Evaluation” of the program in 2023.

By God’s grace, in 2024 the Institute continued offering specialized training programs and the Basic Training Course (both in-person and online). Practical technical support programs were also implemented for several churches and dioceses as part of institutional development efforts. Additionally, the Institute developed its Strategic Plan for 2025–2030. The Institute also contributed research papers at the International Conference on Christian Leadership in Budapest (September 4–6, 2024) and at the Priests and Pastors Committee Conference organized by the Egyptian Council of Churches (October 14–16, 2024).

 

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Dr. Magdy Latif El-Sendy

The history and development of the Institute

In the year 2015  His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, established the Coptic Institute for Church Management and Development as one of the specialized educational institutes of the Coptic Orthodox Church. This initiative was part of His Holiness’s vision to advance institutional development in church ministry,

Since its establishment, the Institute began preparing its temporary headquarters in Fifth Settlement, Cairo. It started developing its training curriculum, selecting and preparing trainers, organizing training and education systems, and defining strategies and tools for course evaluation. The Institute also launched several specialized training courses for service leaders in various dioceses, targeting priests, service coordinators, council members, and leaders of different ministry sectors.

During the period from 2016 to 2024, the Institute has successfully delivered a large number of training courses that have benefited many churches, dioceses, and service areas. Additionally, the team of servants at the Institute has grown in both number and diversity of expertise.

In an unprecedented directive within the Coptic Church, His Holiness entrusted the Institute in March In 2018, His Holiness entrusted the Institute with organizing the first training course for newly ordained priests from Egypt and the diaspora during the Holy Forty Days following their ordination. His Holiness hosted this training at the Logos Conference Center in the Monastery of Anba Bishoy. In light of the success of this training, the Institute went on inApril in 2019, for the second consecutive year, to conduct training for another group of …in 2019, for the second consecutive year, to conduct training for another group of newly ordained priests. They represented various dioceses from both inside and outside Egypt. The Institute also delivered the Basic Training Course three times in 2021 for a total of 94 newly ordained priests, twice in 2022 for 58 priests, and twice in 2023 for 84 priests. In 2024, the course was conducted twice for 65 newly ordained priests — bringing the total to 400 bringing the total to [number] newly ordained priests by the end of 2024.

By the directive of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the esteemed hierarchs of the Holy Synod, the Institute was entrusted with preparingBy the directive of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and the esteemed hierarchs of the Holy Synod, the Institute was entrusted with preparing the 8th Holy Synod Seminar. on “Church Management and Development,” which was attended by 98 metropolitans and bishops during the period from November 16 to 19, 2021, under the theme:** “The Overseer from Above”The Overseer from Above“.  

loyal September 2019 Upon the kind invitation of His Grace Bishop Yulius, General Bishop of Public and Social Services, the Institute began conducting the midterm evaluation of the Comprehensive and Integrated Community Development Program, which is managed by the Bishopric. And in. August 2020 the Institute concluded the midterm evaluation and submitted its report to the Bishopric. Between February and September 2023 the Institute carried out the final evaluation of the program

Since September 2020 and continuing to the present, the Institute has launched a series of specialized training courses on topics such as: “The Church and Change Management,” “The Church and Institutional Development,” “The Church and Strategic Management,” “The Church and Digital Communication,” “The Church and Community Development,” “Service System Management,” and “The Church and Human Resources.

As part of the Institute’s nomination for official recognition by the Holy Synod, the Institute began As part of the Institute’s nomination for official recognition by the Holy Synod, the Institute began aligning its status in accordance with the regulations of the Academy of Theological and Coptic Studies."He participated in the technical committee affiliated with the Secretariat of the Holy Synod. In this context, Institute's Service Plan (2020–2025) Which aims at preparing and providing New specialized training courses And a certificate Professional diploma And a master’s degree certificate In the sciences of church management and development, to meet the needs of the church within the framework of Expansion In the certificates and academic degrees that the institute will grant to the students, under the umbrella of the academy.

The institute’s objectives

Preparating

Cadres of church leaders (clergy – servants – church councils), capable of making a qualitative leap in leading the ministry and meeting the expectations and needs of the people

Offering

Specialized certificates in church management and development sciences accredited by the Academy of Theological Sciences and Coptic Studies

Offering

Academic degrees (Diploma – Master’s – Doctorate) accredited by the Academy of Theological Sciences and Coptic Studies and aligned with internationally recognized academic institutes.

is

Churches to prepare and implement sustainable practical models for institutional development of the church and document them

Disseminating

the concept of institutional development of the church and the developmental approach in ministry through seminars, scientific conferences, periodic publications, printed materials, studies, and research, making them available via print and audio media, Christian media outlets, and constructive social communication.

Documenting

and publishing successful models in the dioceses and churches inside and outside

The core values of the institute

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning.” (Luke 12:35)

We, the team of servants, staff, experts, and consultants at the institute, commit to the following values and behaviors:

BELT

Belonging

  • We take pride in belonging to our country Egypt and to our Coptic Orthodox Church with its creed, rituals, laws, and fathers.
  • We are honored by the fatherhood and leadership of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and commit to submitting to his holiness and his directives.
  • We take pride in belonging to the Academy of Theological Sciences and Coptic Studies, and to the Coptic Institute of Church Management and Development, and strive to achieve the institute’s vision with respect for its policies, system, and regulations.
  • We commit to dedicating the necessary time and effort to participate in the institute's activities assigned to us.

Excellence

  • We strive to embody the value of excellence in all the institute's internal and external activities and dealings, in terms of quality, auditing, distinction, and achievement, in order to meet the church's needs for institutional development.
  • We strive to use the best available means and resources effectively and efficiently.
  • We seek collective participation in administrative or technical work related to designing, preparing, or delivering scientific and practical material with excellence, in terms of content, training and teaching methods, follow-up, and evaluation.

Leading Change

  • We seek to contribute to the Church's efforts, under the leadership of His Holiness the Pope and the esteemed Bishops, to bring about a qualitative leap in its institutional performance, helping the Church respond to the demands of development in the means and tools it employs to achieve its spiritual mission.
  • We seek to provide practical models for improving management practices within our church institutions, as well as enhancing the administrative, financial, and service-related performance of church leaders,
  • We respect the established ecclesiastical order, observe local culture, and strive for balance between the requirements and pace of desired development.

Team Work

  • We work together to achieve the Institute's goals through a harmonious, unified body, transparency in communication and information exchange among us, and sincere cooperation to fulfill the Institute's mission, objectives, and plans.
  • We value diversity within the team, as well as experience and specialization. We respect the distribution of responsibilities among us and submit in love and humility to those in charge, always striving to establish love and a unified spirit.
  • Our internal and external dealings embody our relationships as one team, and our behaviors reflect the Christian values of love, humility, and self-denial, to uphold the best interests of the Church, the Institute, and the Church ministry.

Belonging

  • We take pride in belonging to our country Egypt and to our Coptic Orthodox Church with its creed, rituals, laws, and fathers.
  • We are honored by the fatherhood and leadership of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II and commit to submitting to his holiness and his directives.
  • We take pride in belonging to the Academy of Theological Sciences and Coptic Studies, and to the Coptic Institute of Church Management and Development, and strive to achieve the institute’s vision with respect for its policies, system, and regulations.
  • We commit to dedicating the necessary time and effort to participate in the institute's activities assigned to us.

Excellence

  • We strive to embody the value of excellence in all the institute's internal and external activities and dealings, in terms of quality, auditing, distinction, and achievement, in order to meet the church's needs for institutional development.
  • We strive to use the best available means and resources effectively and efficiently.
  • We seek collective participation in administrative or technical work related to designing, preparing, or delivering scientific and practical material with excellence, in terms of content, training and teaching methods, follow-up, and evaluation.

Leading Change

  • We seek to contribute to the Church's efforts, under the leadership of His Holiness the Pope and the esteemed Bishops, to bring about a qualitative leap in its institutional performance, helping the Church respond to the demands of development in the means and tools it employs to achieve its spiritual mission.
  • We seek to provide practical models for improving management practices within our church institutions, as well as enhancing the administrative, financial, and service-related performance of church leaders,
  • We respect the established ecclesiastical order, observe local culture, and strive for balance between the requirements and pace of desired development.

Team Work

  • We work together to achieve the Institute's goals through a harmonious, unified body, transparency in communication and information exchange among us, and sincere cooperation to fulfill the Institute's mission, objectives, and plans.
  • We value diversity within the team, as well as experience and specialization. We respect the distribution of responsibilities among us and submit in love and humility to those in charge, always striving to establish love and a unified spirit.
  • Our internal and external dealings embody our relationships as one team, and our behaviors reflect the Christian values of love, humility, and self-denial, to uphold the best interests of the Church, the Institute, and the Church ministry.

The Institute's Logo

The Institute's logo simulates the model presented by Christ in the miracle of the five loaves and two fish. (in the Gospel of Blessing); a model for the Church in managing ministry, where human endeavor (in planning, organizing, implementing, following up, evaluating, and optimally utilizing resources) meets divine action (in grace and blessing), resulting in a spiritual overflow in all areas.

This logo expresses the concept of ecclesiastical stewardship embraced by the Institute, which includes: Four circles Four Essential Circles for the Church as a Spiritual Institution:  Its identity, Its resources , Its services, and its tools or managing service.

The Institute's mission in the institutional development of the Church aims to Deepening the Church's identity as a spiritual institution., And developing its resources. different And developing its resources., And updating its tools. and its methods, to serve its members spiritually and pastorally, and to serve its local community developmentally. 

These four circles are interconnected and integrated through the Church as a circle or as one body that binds everything together.

 

The Institute's Philosophy of Interactive Training

The basic principles adopted by the Institute in training can be summarized as follows:

  • Education Unitالتعليم At the Institute, the education unit focuses on the entire Church as a single unit (as a spiritual institution), meaning that the Institute's training is primarily directed towards service leaders within the Church (i.e., priests, service leaders in various sectors, and councils) to form a nucleus for leadership development, as institutional development cannot be carried out by an individual alone but requires conviction and collective action.
  • Education ContentIt is based on three pillars: Scriptural reference, scientific grounding, and ecclesiastical application (within the context of the Orthodox Church). The Institute's team strives to prepare and design all program content.
  • Education Methodology Education Methodology Applied, experiential training rather than traditional, theoretical "teaching.
  • Teaching Style At the Institute, it draws its methods from «Adult Education Adult Education»which is based on building upon existing experience and developing it.
  • The Institute is concerned with: Diversity of Trainees(in terms of service position – age, gender) to enrich shared learning.
  • The Institute considers Learning StylesLearning Styles the different learning styles that suit all trainees, but it ensures that **experiential learning** is the main approach for all training topics.
  • The Institute strives to ensure that the training methods and tools used in all lessons respond to the demands of the modern era and meet the Church's needs for institutional development. Different Types of Intelligencefor trainees, achieving optimal learning.
  • The Institute strives to contribute to bringing about a qualitative leap.in the stewardship of ministry within the Church by contributing to: changing the mindset. It reflects on the development of methods and tools in managing the service system.
  • The Institute also seeks to contribute to creating a supportive environment for development.by empowering trainees with concepts, trends, and tools, and by building general Church awareness of development areas.
  • The Institute is keen to provide practical applied models,which embodies, in reality, the possibility and method of development.
  • The Institute's team of trainers is keen to cite all sources and references used in each lesson.
  • All aspirations for developing ecclesiastical stewardship presented at the Institute are offered in a manner.scientific, based on practical experience. and in a spirit. humble and submissive.

The Institute in Numbers

The total number of beneficiaries from the core and specialized training programs from May 2015 to the end of December 2024 reached 3,324 trainees, representing 478 churches from 49 dioceses and service areas. This includes 1,396 priests (42%), 1,267 service leaders and church council members (38%), and 661 female servants (20%).

365 newly ordained priests benefited from the training, participating during the Holy Forty-Day period based on His Holiness the Pope's directive.

– Two training courses were offered to 17 monastic fathers nominated for episcopacy during 2021 and 2022.

On March 11, 2017, the Institute celebrated the graduation of 272 graduates who completed the basic training course at the Institute, and on November 23, 2019, the Institute celebrated the graduation of 375 new trainees.

On November 5, 2023, the Institute celebrated the graduation of batches from the years (end of 2019 to end of 2022) at Anba Rowais Theater in St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbassia. 17 newly consecrated bishops, 9 administrators of Coptic monasteries, and 500 priests, church council members, and service secretaries from 26 dioceses and pastoral sectors completed the program.

3324

Trainee

146

Course

478

Church

49

Diocese and service area

The Papal Office for Projects

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II established **The Papal Office for Projects** in October 2013 to support the education and health sectors. This initiative reflects the Coptic Orthodox Church's recognition of its commitment to its community and to all Egyptians.
The Papal Office for Projects believes that all people have the right to live with dignity in a safe society that accepts diversity and respects differences, and it works towards this by providing the highest standards of education and health.
Over the past six years, the Papal Office for Projects has successfully completed the construction and operation of 6 schools in 6 different governorates. In 2014, the Office established a school for Sudanese refugees, which now serves 550 students.
The Papal Office also implements educational and cultural programs for youth, such as the Summer Language Program, where English and French classes are run during the summer in cooperation with volunteers from the United States and France. Furthermore, a children's creativity center was established in one of Cairo's underprivileged neighborhoods.
In the field of women and youth employment, small projects have been established in various governorates. These projects, which are diverse small workshops, help to raise the income of women and families and aim to support widows and youth in finding a livelihood while preserving their dignity.
As for the health sector, the office has the "Sehaty" (My Health) project, which aims to develop and provide the highest standards of medical services. Through this project, the first clinic was opened in Faqous, Sharqia Governorate, and the first medical academy, "KIMI," was inaugurated in Obour City. This academy, established in collaboration with the Royal College of Surgeons of England, trains doctors and nurses to the highest standards of medical care.

The Papal Office for Projects also collaborates with the Coptic Institute for Church Management and Development.