Timothy Project

The next Timothy Project runs from February 22-24, 2010.  Register online or by calling 1.800.294.2774.

The Timothy Project is for alumni/ae of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in their first 10 years of ministry. It is a time for reflection, conversation, evaluation, and encouragement and is offered at minimal cost annually in the winter.

Purpose

The purpose of the Timothy Project is to offer a place of renewal and perspective for alumni/ae of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary who are in the midst of their first ten years of ministry. The first ministry setting can be the most challenging as students move from the sometimes ethereal air of the seminary to the cold, hard pavement of ministry. The program asks the questions: How have you made the transition? What problems have you encountered? How has ministry met your expectations? How might the seminary have done a better job preparing you? These questions are asked in a variety of ways throughout three days and two nights of ministry assessment, small group discussion, worship, and informal fellowship with former classmates and, now, current partners in ministry.
 

Community

The Timothy Project is designed to be both intensive and informal. Each day will begin with worship and significant time has been dedicated to informal time for reflection and fellowship with peers. We invite you to bring your questions, now wrapped in a ministry context, to the table, where you will have opportunity to eat meals with some of your favorite faculty. In addition, there will be six discussion forums in which you will have the opportunity to interact with key ministry themes in small and large groups.
 

Facilitators

Dr. David Horn is the Director of the Ockenga Institute and the Semlink program of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. His responsibilities involve oversight over multiple centers and programs involved in the seminary’s commitment to offering theological education to a variety of constituencies beyond the typical student body, including pastors, laypersons, distance and global learners. His doctoral work is in Sociology of Religion at Boston University with masters degrees in English literature and divinity. He is ordained in the CCCC and has been a pastor and has taught and worked in campus ministry for several years. He has a wife, Cec, and two grown children, Will and Molly.

Dr. Ken Swetland is Senior Professor of Ministry and Senior Fellow of the Ockenga Institute. After over 36 years of involvement at the Seminary (including Academic Dean from 1992-2002 and Campus Pastoral Counselor from 2002-2008), he now is part-time and teaches in the Pastoral Skills DMin track at all 3 campuses, and works with pastors and graduates of the seminary in their ministry issues.
 

What People Have Said

"The Timothy Project was a good time to reconnect with former classmates and to connect with fellow pastors to discuss various aspects of ministry in a casual setting. It was also a time of refreshment and encouragement to me in my ministry."

"This came at a critical time in my ministry. It was freeing to discuss issues in safety and openness."

"It was a great opportunity to step back and examine my ministry in a theologically sound and mutually supportive environment."