Dates: March 14-16 and November 7-9, 2022
Course Description: The Leadership in Ministry Workshop at Atlanta 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. 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 until COVID health restrictions are lifted.
With: Michael Cook, Vanessa Ellison, Skip Johnson, Dan Koger, Israel Galindo, and James Lamkin
Schedule: Program will start at 10 AM on Monday and conclude the following Wednesday at 12PM.
Program Fee: $920 for two sessions, spring and fall. Includes access to upcoming and past monthly webinars. Program fee also includes 5 meals per session (10 total). Monday lunch and dinner, Tuesday breakfast and lunch, and Wednesday breakfast. $540 single session rate for the fall (includes 5 meals).
Housing: Housing rates are $336.10 for double occupancy (3 nights per session, 6 total), $532.12 for single occupancy (3 nights per session, 6 total). Housing covers Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. Bathrooms are private. Single occupancy has limited inventory.
Meals: Meal costs are included in the program fee. Meals include Monday lunch and dinner, Tuesday breakfast and lunch, and Wednesday breakfast. Tuesday dinner will be on your own to explore the variety of options in Decatur.
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.
Sample Schedule:
MONDAY
10:00-10:15 |
Welcome and Introductions |
10:30-12:00 |
Plenary Presentation |
12:30 |
Lunch |
1:30-3:30 |
Coaching Groups, Genograms |
3:00 |
Break |
3:30-5:00
6:00
|
Coaching Groups, Genograms cont’d
Dinner
|
TUESDAY
7:30 |
Breakfast |
9:00-10:30 |
Plenary Presentation |
11:00-12:30 |
Coaching Groups, Case studies: Church families/individuals |
12:30 |
Lunch |
1:30-3:00 |
Coaching Groups, cont’d |
3:00-6:00 |
Free time |
6:00 |
Dinner |
|
|
WEDNESDAY
7:30 |
Breakfast |
9:00-12:30 |
Coaching Groups |
12:30 |
Closure |