Dates: May 8-10 and October 2-4, 2023
 
Course Description: Leadership in Ministry 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. Many participants have attended for several years, with some participating for over 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 group case studies led by experienced faculty coaches. As such, participants work to apply the theory to the "real world" realities of their ministry context. 

Location: Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center, 660 Great Pond Road, North Andover, MA 01845

Program Fee: $850 for two sessions, spring and fall. Includes access to past and upcoming monthly webinars. $510 for a single session.

With: Margaret Marcuson, Meg Hess, Elaine Boomer, Rebecca Maccini and Israel Galindo

Housing and Meals: 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. Single Occupancy has limited inventory, but double occupancy rooms will be released as single occupancy 2 weeks before the event. 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 50% the program fee and is not applicable to travel or housing expenses. Payment plans can also be arranged. 

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

Earning CEUs for this course: If you desire to earn a certificate confirming earned CEUs in this course, please contact the Center for Lifelong Learning.

In order to qualify for CEUs in this course you must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Confirm that you have read the assigned text.
  2. Participated in the full course and all discussions.
  3. Completed any assignments, papers, and projects.
  4. Completed the course evaluation.
  5. Made a formal request for a CEU certificate.