News from The Pastors Institute
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New Directions for Effective Ministry
Summer 2008
In This Issue
  • From the Executive Director
  • 86 Yes; 0 No
  • TPI to Design Denominational Plan for Exiting Pastors
  • Two Recent "Bookend" Opportunities
  • How You Can Help
    • 86 Yes; 0 No

    The congregation stood and applauded when it was announced they had voted unanimously to call their next pastor. Later that day, the young man accepted the offer and is now relocating along with his wife and small child to pastor a united congregation full of hope and purpose.

    The Indiana church had struggled to redefine their mission after relocating and experiencing two pastoral changes in three years. One lay leader commented that he felt the church had been wandering in the wilderness.

    The church now has direction, and both the congregation and denominational leadership give much of the credit to the role played by The Pastors Institute.

    Last winter, TPI Executive Director, Michael B. Ross, was asked by the church and its judicatory leader to serve as a consultant in the process of finding the congregation's next pastor.

    "I accepted the opportunity," says Ross, "only because the congregation agreed that the search would focus on their collective calling and on the prospective pastors' personal call to ministry. Two powerful streams merged into a river of shared vocation."

    "The process we followed will cut one year off the getting-to-know you stage," Ross added. "More importantly, we have had a part in giving a great church the opportunity to fulfill their mission and a pastor to live out his call to ministry."

    TPI to Design Denominational Plan for Exiting Pastors
    New Growth

    The Church of the Nazarene's denominational leadership has turned to The Pastors Institute to kick start a new ministry to pastors who leave career ministry. Responding to a request by the Board of General Superintendents, Clergy Development Director, Dr. Dan Copp, has contracted The Pastors Institute to submit a report that would include a framework in which support can be developed for exiting pastors.

    TPI's report will focus on several issues by answering specific questions:

    1. What are the primary causes of pastoral attrition?
    2. What is the general profile of those who exit the pastorate?
    3. What are the adjustments and coping processes normally experienced after transitioning out of career ministry?
    4. What are other denominations, congregations and para-church organizations doing for former pastors?
    5. What resource-options does the Church of the Nazarene have in ministering to exited pastors?
    6. What might be the Church of the Nazarene's best strategy?

    It is expected that TPI's initial plan will provide a foundation on which an effective and sustaining ministry to former pastors can be built.

    Two Recent "Bookend" Opportunities

    The Pastors Institute recently provided workshops for two groups who represent opposite points on the pastoral career spectrum. Both workshops focused on the Dynamic Call.

    In late Spring, Dr. Michael B. Ross taught a class/workshop to a group of mid- and late-career pastors pursuing their Doctor of Ministry degree at Anderson University's School of Theology.

    The workshop, "Why the Called Exit Career Ministry," highlights the risks of the static call--a one-time past experience. The students were introduced to the benefits of redefining their call as a dynamic narrative finding its fulfillment in the future.

    Also last Spring, Ross and associate director, Darrell Trotter, presented a seminar to 20-25 future pastors on an educational track leading to ordination.

    The seminar for soon-to-be pastors allowed time for feedback. Several commented on the Dynamic Call's potential for the opening of a new imagination. Other comments included:

    • "I think it is one of the best presentations we have had at the mid-year training sessions. It had me thinking in a new way and helped with some doubts I was having."
    • "Thank you; maybe I'm not crazy!"
    • "This was an eye opener for me. Thanks for sharing!"
    • "I appreciate you addressing the call in such a real way. My husband is a Pastor and has just felt his call change - so this was very helpful."
      •
    How You Can Help

    The Pastors Institute continues to need your help in developing our new initiative on the Dynamic Call. You can be assured of TPI's wise use of funds.

    Send a check today to The Pastors Institute, PO Box 2035, Anderson, IN 46011


    From the Executive Director
    mbr web 26

    If it seems it has been a while since you received a newsletter from The Pastors Institute, you are right. It has been several months since we updated our friends on TPI's ministries to pastors.

    The delay, however, is not due to having nothing to report. In fact, the opposite is true. We are experiencing one of our most productive times in TPI's history. We have been busy.

    I had predicted that our new focus on the Dynamic Call would quickly mushroom into new opportunities for ministry. I was right. We are being forced to intentionally manage our expanding opportunities for developing resources.

    The Dynamic Call is not only effective in its many forms, it also is relevant to all facets of our mission, "to partner with and provide resources for pastors and their families in order to enable them to fulfill their calling." We have been able in recent months to come alongside pastors as well as former and future pastors.

    One of the benefits to an expanding ministry is the encouragement we receive from participants in our ministry programs. Two recent comments written on feedback sheets were especially poignant to me because they highlight the potential and depth of the Dynamic Call initiative.

    "As the church moves forward, understanding and revisiting these concepts is the key to the growth of a pastor."

    "I came here today feeling like I didn't have much of a call, I left knowing I'm just in a chapter. Thank you for asking the questions and for giving real life examples."

    I appreciate your "cutting me some slack" for not keeping you better informed. I hope we can do better because we greatly need your prayers.

    And, as you pray, if you think of any suggestions or questions, please let me know.

     
    NOTE: The Pastors Institute's Board of Directors just received its annual report from the CPA firm of Stewart, Peck and Hueston, LLP. After reviewing last year's financial statements and analytical procedures, the independent firm has determined that TPI is in conformity with the Standards for Accounting and Reviews and continues its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.