CCO Campus Ministry

Barbara Courtney, Leadership Development Consultant, Courtney Consulting
CCO staff, 1987-90 (Thiel College); 1996-2003 (Area Director)

That #1 best place to work thing? That’s no lie! People have no idea what an amazing place the CCO is to work. The CCO’s leadership culture is so healthy compared to so many other places, and the CCO always working to improve in this area. Because I’ve been a part of a healthy leadership development culture, I can take that to other places in my work as a management consultant.

In terms of preparation for full-time Christian ministry as a professional, being on CCO staff helped me to be way ahead of people my age at that time of life, including many friends who went directly into church positions or to seminary. The community support is so valuable when you’re in ministry, and this is something that is often lacking in the church at large, which makes it hard to feel supported in your work. That sense of community and sense of common purpose cannot be emphasized enough—working toward a common mission, thinking strategically and creatively with people who are doing the same kind of work is an incredible experience and resource.