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First Parish Project:
A Support and Enhancement Program for Beginning Clergy
This project, which is funded by the Lilly Endowment and by Hinton Rural Life Center, is a continuing education program aimed at developing and sustaining effective pastoral leadership in the small membership church (understood in this context as those congregations that average 100 or less at the principal weekly worship service). It targets pastors who are (1) age 35 or younger, (2) serving their first full-time pastorate, (3) which is a small membership church. The program is ecumenical, i.e. open to clergy of all denominations.
The program focuses on the transitions participants are undergoing, not only from seminary to first parish but also the transition into the world of the small membership church. Since many clergy will not have had much previous experience with this context, the program gives special attention to understanding, appreciating, and coping with the unique dynamics of the small membership church. Increasing their comfort level in this way will benefit both the pastors and the people they serve.
Participants are recruited through contacts with judicatories, seminaries, and pastors. Each group meets at Hinton’s retreat lodge in Hayesville, NC in the fall, winter, and spring of each year for two successive years. Each group meeting lasts one week, Monday evening-Friday noon, and includes the following: didactic sessions on ministerial praxis by selected resource persons, worship occasions, colleague group formation (to be maintained throughout,and hopefully beyond, the program), table fellowship, and free time. Continuing Education Units are available to participants for their work in the program.
In addition , a Hinton staff member is available to visit each participant’s parish twice during his/her time in the program. The purpose of such visits it to lead participants’ congregations in a visioning/planning process that will help congregation and pastor attend together to such important work as doing community assessment, discerning congregational gifts and strengths, and identifying ministry priorities. In this way the program invests in the development not only of the congregation’s minister, but also of its ministry.
As a result of participating in this program, ministers can expect to gain useful knowledge about ministry, particularly ministry in the small membership church; to develop ongoing supportive relationships with a diverse group of colleagues who are going through similar experiences; to enjoy being a participant in a community of worship and prayer; to relax; and to enjoy Hinton’s beautiful setting and its hospitality.
Total program cost to the participant is $900 (to be paid in $150 amounts at each session). The rest of his/her expenses are cared for out of the Lilly Foundation grant that underwrites the program and by Hinton Center.
It is understood that upon acceptance into the program, the pastor agrees to participate fully in every aspect of the program throughout its duration. This is a matter of mutual respect and commitment, as well as a demonstration of appreciation to the organizations that make such an opportunity possible . Allowances will, of course, be made in the event of pastoral or family emergency that might arise along the way.
The program is open to all recent seminary graduates under age 35 serving their first church of smaller membership.
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