Tag / Clergy Formation

by Michael

Ending Another Semester

They trickled into the room and eventually we gathered as a group.  For most of the semester we started at 9am, but the clock ticked across several more minutes before our start.  By then, the tables were filled and dressed with treats.  Two pans of some casserole of sausage and bread and eggs or broccoli and onions for us meatless eaters, a bowl of sugary goodness a pastor’s wife provided, a box of buttered sweet cakes.

Their eyes and heads were heavy with every unfinished paper and all those unwritten words scrambling in their heads like thoughts waiting.  Their anxiety was normal as was their exhaustion.

We talked about things.  We wrote affirmation cards and ate and talked about the unseen days ahead.  Their would be jobs over the summer, breaks from seminary, no one taking classes.  One of them was starting a business, one serving at a camp.  There were hugs and written prayers, and as in previous times, I was so thankful for the chance I have to do this work.

by Michael

If You Were Teaching Pastors…

I am one of the adjuncts in the vocational formation and church leadership program at Garrett-Evangelical.  I have been there three years, leading one of the formation groups each year for eight to nine soon-to-be pastors in their first year of seminary.

The other day we finished our semester.  We said goodbyes to our students.  Then, after class, the adjuncts met for our grading meeting.  We discussed our concerns and commented at length regarding individual students when needed.  We said our thank yous and our goodbyes to members of the faculty who would be moving on to other things: one of them is retiring this summer; another is moving to a different track; and one became a pastor recently and won’t return for at least a year to our group.

This summer I’m teaching the summer version of this same class.  A couple weeks back I put the finishing touches on my syllabus for the intensive four weeks.  I spent a good deal of time thinking over what the course is about.  The focus of the first-year of our program tends to fall in two categories, spiritual disciplines and theological reflection, while assisting students in understanding, integrating aspects of, and articulating their callings for leadership.  I kept that focus in my view as I worked on the syllabus, which is a course guide for what we’ll read, discuss, and work on over the class.

So, here are my questions for you: what do you think persons training for ministry need to know?  What would you include in the course if you were teaching ministers and servants of the church?  What must be said or understood by women and men preparing for leadership in churches and para-church organizations in your opinion?