“Recalculating” Ministry at Mid-Career" (from Perspectives, Congregational Consulting Group)

by Lawrence Peers

Ministry doesn’t come with a GPS—there is no mechanism that will give us step-by-step directions to a known destination. Instead, we find our way by thought, deliberation, hope, and faith. Sometimes we make decisions, sometimes decisions seem to be made for us. Sometimes we are led by our head, sometimes by our heart—or by some mysterious combination of reason, intuition and prayer. Sometimes we sketch out plans, sometimes we discover plans along the way. Read More here.

Here are two events coming up that I'd like you to know about and to let others know about:

The Whole Congregation, Pastoral Leadership Guided by Systems Theory

Mon, March 20, 2017, 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM EDT Held at Massachusetts Conference UCC, 1 Badger Road, Framingham (open to all)

with Rev. Dr. Ken Reeves and Rev. Dr. Lawrence Peers , Co-sponsored with the Center for Career Development and Ministry

Ministers can rack their brains wondering: “What can help my stuck and dysfunction congregation?” Or we can wonder how to support a healthy congregation's further development. Systems Theory can clarify the minister's understanding of their congregational system in its health and illness. That thinking then guides actions and interventions on behalf of congregational health.

This workshop will offer an explanation of Systems Theory, its central principles, and how those principles guide pastoral leadership. It will take up the diagnosis of a congregation, and ways to calm, change, work through conflict, and deal with difficult behavior. We hope it would support your leadership in guiding your congregation in living out its mission, and in so doing, deepen and enrich the interpersonal and spiritual lives of its members. We will provide some opportunities for helping you to be aware of your own leadership narrative and how this impacts how you lead through change and uncertaintly.

Registration fee: $150, including program, coffee, and lunch

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-whole-congregation-pastoral-leadership-guided-by-systems-theory-tickets-31069112552

The Rev. Ken Reeves, Ph.D., has an M.Div. and has served congregations in Ohio and Delaware. He has also earned a Masters in Pastoral Counseling and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. He is currently a clinical psychologist with a therapy practice, and a consulting psychologist with the Center for Career Development and Ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Lawrence Peers D.Min, Ed.D. is a congregational consultant, clergy coach, trainer and retreat leader. He takes an integral approach to his work drawing upon his background and experience in organizational change and development, systems therapy, and specialized training in narrative therapy and somatic leadership coaching. www.lawrencepeers.com

Spiritual and Leadership Renewal for Mid-Career Clergy: A Retreat

May 1-3, 2017 Pendle Hill Retreat and Conference Center, Wallingford, PA (near Philadelphia)

Each season of ministry has its own rewards and challenges. By the time we are mid-career, we are facing some questions, decisions and discernment that would have never occurred to us when we began our ministries. How we navigate and respond to this critical period of ministry has an impact on our personal, spiritual and ministerial lives.

Mid-career is a particular threshold in ministry which may sometimes feel age-related or related to where you are in your own professional development. Mid-career can feel as if you are "in the middle" of your ministry, with some years behind you and not yet at the finish line. You get to self-define it.

In this retreat, we will engage in presentations, personal and small group reflections and in spiritual practices that will allow you to listen deeply to our own gathered wisdom and to the emerging imagination of your ministry—so that you might discern next steps. There will be pre-readings and self-assessments prior to the retreat. During this retreat, we’ll provide some time for appreciating the contemplative, springtime atmosphere of Pendle Hill, a Quaker center for study and contemplation. Limited to 20 participants.