We offer cohorts for pastors in all stages of ministry led by experienced mentors. Each peer cohort is a structured community focused on facilitating learning and growth in spiritual formation, self-care, emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, marriage & family, and leadership & management.
Learning communities of Pastors
Thriving in Ministry offers learning communities of pastors from around New England and Long Island. A typical small group cohort includes 8-10 pastors and is led by two mentor facilitators. Each group meets on a regular basis, generally monthly. The goals of the group include:
- Fellowship and encouragement: within an informal and confidential setting. Each time together will begin with a check in and end with prayer: “How are you doing? How is your family? What kind of issues are you dealing with in your ministry context? How can we pray for you?” Lunch will be provided.
- Peer-learning: Each time together will involve a guided conversation that might include case studies, discussion provoked by a book, or a special guest speaker. Typically, the mentor facilitators, in collaboration with group members, will select a book as a basis for group conversation.
- Accountability: Understandably, pastors most often offer one side of the story when discussing what is going on in their ministry setting. In a non-threatening way, pastors in the cohort will be encouraged to gain a perspective through understanding the other side of the story, the story of the congregation.
- Retreats: Every cohort will have the opportunity to get away together in a longer retreat format. Spouses are invited!