Alan Fadling serves as Executive Director of The Journey, a ministry of The Leadership Institute in Orange county, Caifornia. The Leadership Institute seeks to mentor and work with Christian leaders at every stage of development who will increasingly listen and respond to God’s voice, embody His character and extend His kingdom. This involves developing retreats, seminars, courses and mentoring relationships that intentionally keep intimacy with Christ, love for people and engagement in the mission of Christ at the heart of the lives and ministries of Christian leaders.

Alan is author of An Unhurried Life: Following Jesus’ Rhythms of Work and Rest (InterVarsity Press 2013). His blog, Notes from my Unhurried Journey, began in 1996 as an email/fax broadcast, and moved to the web in 2005. He posts a few times a week—an excerpt from my journal, recent teachings, something he’s reading or notes from a conference he’s recently attended. He focuses on themes from his ministry of retreat leading, spiritual direction, leadership training and speaking. Alan also serves as section editor of “Honesty in the Journey” for Conversations Journal.

Alan served as a pastor in the local church from 1983 to 2000, ministering to youth, young adults and young families, mostly in three Southern California churches. He has had the privilege of seeing many emerge as leaders out of his college and young adult ministries, some of whom currently serve in vocational ministry across the country and around the world. His preaching, teaching and mentoring ministry has proven fruitful. He is a licensed minister.

Born in Sacramento, California in 1961, Alan grew up in the same semi-rural neighborhood home until his college years. He attended Simpson University, graduating with honors in 1986 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. In 1991, Alan completed his Masters of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California with honors. Concurrently, he completed a Certificate in Spiritual Formation and Leadership Development with The Leadership Institute. Alan is certified as a spiritual director by the Pecos Benedictine Abbey in New Mexico. He currently serves as a spiritual director to pastors, missionaries, seminary students, seminary professors and other Christian leaders.

Alan’s involvement with The Leadership Institute began in 1990 as a student in the Institute’s first “Collegiate Leadership & Discipleship” course at Fuller Seminary. Alan has served as an Adjunct Professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, Talbot School of Theology and Hope International University. He is on the board of directors for the Spiritual Formation Alliance, a ministry seeking to encourage the work of spiritual formation in churches, ministries and educational settings.

Alan is committed to leadership development that focuses on the spiritual formation of leaders, rather than assuming it; that cultivates leaders of character and spiritual maturity who live, speak and lead out of grace rather than drivenness; that answers the prevalent dilemma of Christian leaders who do not finish well because of burn-out, discouragement or disqualification; and that works with communities of leaders, rather than continuing the common pattern of isolated and lonely leadership.

Married since 1985 to Gem, the Fadlings have three sons, Sean (‘92), Bryan (‘95) and Christopher (‘98). They live in Mission Viejo, California.