TOGETHER IN MINISTRY STEERING COMMITTEE 2008
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The Ministers Council Together in Ministry Steering Committee met March 24-26, 2008, at the Canterbury Retreat Center in Oviedo, FL. Committee members reviewed the collegial covenant group project made possible by a Lilly Endowment Sustaining Pastoral Excellence grant from 2002-2007, and planned for the next phase made possible by an additional grant for 2008-2012. |
The value most frequently selected by participants since the inception of collegial covenant groups has been: “Gained a supportive network of colleagues who will pray for one another.”
Other values cited include: support to improve preaching and teaching, general support for ministry, enhancing church leadership skills, improvements in personal health and reduction of stress, and connection and networking with other pastors and congregations; spiritual growth and personal growth; mutual accountability; study to enhance ministries; and experiences which broadened their perspectives and opened them up to new ideas.
Group facilitators indicated a positive impact of Together in Ministry on the denomination. Values perceived from Together in Ministry for the American Baptist Churches USA include: positive relating; improved communications; fostering healthier relationships; improving mutual respect; increasing faith; improved collegiality and fellowship; and increased sharing of thoughts and perspectives.
One facilitator summarized thoughts on the impact on the denomination as: “When clergy persons make the commitment to take care of themselves, it will benefit the denomination. There will be less stress; the clergy service provided to the church will be more effective. The denomination will be healthier physically and spiritually.”
Applications are being received for 2009 covenant group grants. Groups may be comprised of pastoral leaders or may combine pastoral and lay leaders focused on faith practices. All information on group formation options may be found on the Ministers Council website: http://www.ministerscouncil.com/TogetherInMinistry/08ApplicationProcess.aspx
Application forms are also available online: http://www.ministerscouncil.com/TogetherInMinistry/2008TIMInfo.aspx
Bulk copies of a Minister Magazine issue that presents TIM group stories and resources and a TIM DVD will be provided to Region and Ministers Council meetings to introduce the opportunity in greater detail. Call 1-800-ABC3USA, ext. 2334 to order. Names and locations of currently funded groups along with feedback and photos may be accessed at:
http://www.ministerscouncil.com/TogetherInMinistry/default.aspx
Dr. Kate Harvey, Executive Director of the Ministers Council and Project Director of Together in Ministry, states: “God has richly blessed the Ministers Council with the resources to invite pastoral and lay leaders into covenant groups with colleagues where their lives and ministries are immeasurably enriched through the power of relationships.”
Together in Ministry Steering Committee members summarize their perspectives on the project:
“Like an oasis in the desert, the Together in Ministry Steering Committee has proved to be a wellspring of living water for my life and ministry… Indeed, I have found holy friendship in this collegial covenant group.”
Dr. V. DuWayne Battle, Ph.D.
Graduate School of Social Work
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
“It has been exciting to be part of a project that potentially will change the life and ministry of clergy. My dream is that collegial covenant groups will become so much a part of our culture that when a clergy person is not a part of one it will be an odd occurrence.”
Dr. Shawn Zambrows, Pastor
Baptist Student Foundation at Purdue University
“As a result of participating in Together in Ministry collegial covenant groups, ministers reported being more likely to seek support and prayer from colleagues, more inclined to study with other ministers, and more aware of the role of collaboration in sustaining ministry over time.”
Dr. Virginia Smith, TIM Evaluator
Associate Professor
Lincoln University
“Pastors have been blessed to better serve the church through Together in Ministry. I give thanks to God for this ministry.”
Dr. Joseph R. Kutter
Past President
Ministers Council, American Baptist Churches USA
Other Together in Ministry Steering Committee members are:
Dr. Larry Bethune, Pastor
University Baptist Church
Austin, TX
Rev. Victor Mercado
Retired Pastor
Rio Piedras, PR
Rev. Ken Tang-Quan, Pastor
Palos Verdes Baptist Church
Rolling Hills Estates, CA