Dates: May 16-18 and October 3-5, 2022
Course Description: The Leadership in Ministry Workshop at Boston is a twice-a-year, peer-based clergy leadership development program. It is part of the Pastoral Excellence Programs of the Center for Lifelong Learning of Columbia Theological Seminary. Each annual workshop meets for two sessions (spring and fall). Some participants have attended for several years, with some participating for almost a decade, reaping the benefits of long-term commitment to personal and professional growth.
This program’s goals are to:
- Provide a peer-learning forum for clergy to explore the issues particular to their congregational contexts;
- Help participants develop a theoretical framework for interpreting practice and context using Bowen Systems Theory;
- Help clergy accurately identify and name the particular challenges of ministry in their context;
- Provide clergy with a safe and stimulating peer group experience for renewal and challenge.
The Leadership in Ministry workshops will apply Bowen Family Systems Theory as further developed by Edwin Friedman, author of Generation to Generation and A Failure of Nerve, to ministerial and organizational leadership. The majority of time is spent in peer groups case studies led by experienced faculty coaches. As such, participants work to apply the theory to the “real world” realities of their ministry context.
Participants are required to be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and will be expected to wear masks while in indoor public spaces as long as COVID conditions persist.
With: Elaine Boomer, Israel Galindo, Meg Hess, Rebecca Maccini and Margaret Marcuson
Schedule: Program will start at 2PM on Monday and conclude the following Wednesday at 12PM.
Program Fee: $800 for two sessions, spring and fall. Includes access to past and upcoming monthly webinars
Housing: Housing rates are $550 for double occupancy (2 nights per session, 4 total) and $650 for single occupancy (2 nights per session, 4 total). Housing covers Monday and Tuesday nights. Bathrooms are a mix of shared and private.
Meals: Are included in housing prices. Meals start with Monday dinner through Wednesday breakfast.
Limited scholarships are available. Submit your financial aid request
HERE. Aid is limited to program fee and is not applicable to travel or housing expenses. Payment plans can also be arranged.
Additional Information: Sample Schedule
MONDAY
| 2:00-2:30 |
Welcome and Introductions |
| 2:30-4:00 |
Plenary Presentation |
| 4:00-5:30 |
Coaching Groups A: Genograms |
| 6:00 |
Dinner |
| 7:00-8:30 |
Coaching Groups A, Genograms cont’d |
| 8:30 |
Free time. |
TUESDAY
| 7:30 |
Breakfast |
| 9:00-10:30 |
Plenary Presentation |
| 11:00-12:30 |
Coaching Groups B: Case studies: Church families/individuals |
| 12:30 |
Lunch |
| 1:30-3:00 |
Coaching Groups B, cont’d |
| 3:00-6:00 |
Free time |
| 6:00 |
Dinner |
| 7:00-8:30 |
Coaching Groups C: Case studies, congregational or work setting |
WEDNESDAY
| 7:30 |
Breakfast |
| 9:00-10:30 |
Plenary Presentation |
| 11:00-12:30 |
Coaching Groups C cont’d: Case studies, congregational or work setting |
| 12:30 |
Closure |
