Vital Pastor program holds recruitment retreat.

Thirteen Church of the Brethren pastors met Oct. 19-20 in Indianapolis for a recruitment retreat for the Vital Pastor track of the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) program. SPE is a program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership designed to sustain and improve pastoral quality in the Church of the Brethren.

The retreat led by SPE coordinators Linda and Glenn Timmons shared information with pastors who may serve as facilitators of the first set of "cohort groups" for the Vital Pastor track. Between now and 2005 the pastors who gathered at Indianapolis will recruit pastoral colleagues interested in pursuing a course of shared learning, reflection on pastoral ministry and mission, and spiritual formation.

"Vital Pastor is one of two tracks pastors can consider for their continuing education requirements," the Timmons reported. "For Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership a curriculum of leadership development is offered in the form of eight four-day retreats over two years. In the Vital Pastor track a self-selected cohort group determines a focus for study over a two-year period."

Both the Vital Pastor track and the Advanced Foundations track are funded by a five-year, $2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., awarded to the academy in late 2003. The academy, which offers several certified ministry training opportunities, is housed at Bethany Theological Seminary, Richmond, Ind., and is jointly sponsored by Bethany and the General Board.

Source: 11/05/2004 Newsline