Join the circle

We need each other. It can be tempting in pastoral ministry to go it alone. 

Why not join a circle of fellow Mennonite pastors and follow this call together?

Here’s what pastors have appreciated about their circle this year:

• “Connecting with other leaders who understand the unique role in which pastors live.”
• “There is a trust in this group to name difficult times and celebrations. When we pray for each other at the close of the meeting, I feel supported by my peers.”
• “…even through zoom felt support.”
• “I learn from hearing about my colleagues’ concerns and creative solutions.”
• “I appreciate the opportunities to experiment with spiritual practices.”
• “…we end our time together praying for one another. These are meaningful times.”
  

After a successful pilot season, we will be launching two new circles this September.  The circles which started last year are continuing for another year with their members and one of last year’s groups is open for two new members.

Register below.  Space is limited!

These Pastor Learning Circles begin September 2024

• Ministry in Such a Time as This
  with Wendy Janzen
  

  We are living in a time of multiple, interconnected environmental crises. People in our congregations and in our communities are carrying a burden of concern about an uncertain future. How do we minister and provide pastoral care in such a time as this? If you yourself, members of your congregation or the young people in your life are struggling with the uncertainties of these times, this group will be a place to bring those concerns to each other for support. Our sessions will include time for discussion, journaling, spiritual practices, and prayer.

  We will use the book  In Deep Waters: Spiritual Care for Young People in a Climate Crisis, by Talitha Amadea Aho as a launching point for discussion. “We must learn how to offer spiritual care that is informed by the spiritual-ecological crisis of this time.” While this book is written with a specific demographic and crisis in mind, it also offers broadly applicable insights for ministry.

  We will meet monthly (exact dates to be determined once the group has formed) for 75 minutes.

• Re-imagining Congregational Life
  with Kevin Peters Unrau 
  As we continue to navigate congregational life post-pandemic, there are many opportunities along with challenges we have not faced before. How do we think creatively, discerning where the Spirit is moving? What patterns of congregational life continue to bring joy and create disciples, and new ways might we be called to live? This group will be a place of support and prayer. 
  Meeting dates and format TBD. 

• Pastors Thinking About Retirement
  with Glyn Jones
  So retirement is closer than you would like to think. What are you thinking about anyway? We know about leaving well - but retiring well? We gather to reflect on such issues, and to listen to one another, and pray for God's presence in this new tangle of life.
  Meeting: Monthly, on Zoom.  Specific time and dates to be determined. 

• Spiritual Practices and our Pastoral Call and Ministry (continuing, room for 2 new members)
  with Steve Drudge 
  How does Jesus’ call, “Come, follow me” along with spiritual practices that preceded and will follow our call to formal ministry sustain us and grow during pastoral ministry, especially during personal, role, and cultural challenges.
  Meeting: Monthly, on Zoom for 1 hour.
  

• Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (full, no spaces available)
  with Stephen Reist
  Join the circle as we use Ruth Haley Barton’s book by the same title to honestly explore together such topics as responding to the pressures of ministry, facing the loneliness of leadership, leading from your authentic self, discerning God’s will together, personal spiritual rhythms and envisioning the promised land.  Last year’s group went so well we’ve decided to start another one on the same topic!
  Meeting: Monthly, on Zoom for 1.5 hours.  Specific time and dates to be determined.  

Registration is now closed for this round of Pastor Learning Circles

For MCEC credentialed pastors.
Space is limited.
If you are continuing in your current circle you do not need to re-register.