Covenant Pastoral Leadership A Lilly Endowment Funded Project

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Covenant Pastoral LeadershipA Lilly Endowment
Funded Project

• Facilitator Training
• 2007
• James P. Bowers, Ph.D.
• Presenter

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Why Do We Need Covenant Pastoral Leadership
Development?

• What Others Say Testimonies, Stories, and
  Results
• CPLDs Impact on Pastoral Health
• Current Signs and Future Hopes

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What Pastors Are Saying

• This is the best thing to ever come to our
  state

• This group has saved my ministry

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What Pastors Are Saying

• Why didnt we do this 25 years ago?

• We quickly learned we (pastors) were each
  others best resource

• Think What have you heard a pastor say?

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What Bishops Have Said

• I wish we could have been involved in this
  ministry when we first moved to this state over
  eight years ago.
• This is radically changing the way that we are
  doing ministry across this state.
• An astounding 88 of the pastors in our state
  are currently participating in Covenant Groups.

• Think What have you heard a bishop say?

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What Spouses Have Said

• Ive noticed that his sermons are getting
  better the anointing is stronger.
• He comes home from his covenant group meetings,
  and its like a load has been lifted.
• Think What have you heard a spouse say?

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What Congregations Are Saying

• Since getting involved in this ministry, our
  pastor has taken more interest in helping us
  younger leaders develop.
• Im so glad to see the Church of God begin to
  recognize that pastors have this need and that
  they need this group.
• You can see a difference in him when he comes
  back from his covenant group meetings he comes
  back with a new vigor!
• Think What have you heard laypeople say?

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Let Me Tell You a Few Stories

• The church was on the to be closed list

but the covenant concept revitalized the church!

• He was a chuch planter up against a wall

but through his PCG he gained strategic
resourcing that led to a breakthrough!
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Let Me Tell You a Few Stories

• This previously isolated pastor had just been
  diagnosed with cancer

but now he had friends in ministry to walk with
him and his family through the crisis.

• His church was without heat

but the pastors of his PCG rallied together and
purchased a new furnace for the church!
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Let Me Tell You a Few Stories

• The pastors hardly knew one another

now their churches are conducting district
services together!

• These two pastors didnt even like one another

now they are best friends!

• Think What story have you heard?

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Share a Testimony or a Story

• What have you heard a pastor say?
• What have you heard a bishop say?
• What have you heard a spouse say?
• What have you heard lay people say?

• Think What story have you heard?

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What Impact is Covenant Pastoral Leadership
Making?

• What Do You Think?
• Hear What Pastors Think (handout)
• How do you feel about this profile?

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Why Pastors Need Care and Support

• Emotional Health Higher rates of depression
  (75), isolation and loneliness (3x more likely),
  and other needs (53)
• Physical Health 57 do less ministry
• Pastoral Function 68 serve short term, 75
  experience conflict, and 88 receive no
  constructive feedback or evaluation

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What Pastors Are Accomplishing

• Growth in spiritual disciplines and personal
  ministry goals
• Healthier relationships
• Re-visioning of the way they are leading their
  congregations

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How Churches, Districts, and States are Changing

• New and renewed relationships between pastors and
  churches
• District-wide worship events
• Jointly sponsored community outreach
• Renewed enthusiasm about attending state events

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What Is Healthy/Excellent Ministry?

• Adequate spiritual nourishment
• Discerning leadership
• Authority based on relationships of trust
• Staying connected (50 drop outs)
• Self-directed, life-long learning

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How Has It Worked?

• Pastoral Covenant Groups
• Pastor-centered and directed process
• Proactive Holistic Care and Affirmation
• Facilitative Leadership Practices
• Local/District Collaboration in Mission

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Signs and Hopes for the Future!

• Hundreds of pastors are no longer isolated,
  alone, and disconnected!
• Hundreds of pastors are growing in pastoral
  health and excellence!
• Hundreds of pastors are more encouraged, better
  resourced, and hopeful in ministry!

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Questions for Discussion

• What are your hopes for this process this year in
  your life, area, group, state?
• How do you see this process being used to renew
  congregations? The Church of God?
• What would be the best outcome for this effort
  among your pastoral colleagues?

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Covenant Pastoral LeadershipA Lilly Endowment
Funded Project

• Facilitator Training
• 2007
• James P. Bowers, Ph.D.
• Presenter