Most pastors need partnering support to be effective in Great Commission purposes. Outbound leadership is hard work and done best together with similarly impassioned and equipped practitioners. Leaders will benefit from a cohort of hill climbers to help them face pitfalls and problems.
Experience shows that discipleship happens best in relationship. The value of relationship is true with ministry development. A cohort might be populated with strangers at the start, but it doesn't take long for a bond to form around shared purpose and trust. Finding a place to share honestly, process ministry, and pray with one another adds fuel to the pursuit of longevity.
You can never underestimate what God can do with a group of people that you need in this season.
Barbara Hein (Midlife Ministries, Chaplaincy cohort)
In times like these, we need each other to navigate the pitfalls and challenges of ministry in our rapidly changing world. Being part of a ministry cohort over the past year has been a very enriching experience for me. Initially, I didn't know any of the other six members of the Cohort, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But I knew that we shared one thing in common - service to our Lord in community settings, which would be our unifying factor.
It soon became apparent that we found a place where we could let our hair down and be honest about our challenges and struggles with each other. This was due in large part to the leadership of our facilitator, Al Downey. It was so interesting to learn about each other's ministry environments and to be held up in prayer at the end of every meeting. I always went away refreshed and encouraged.
Adam Bishop (Lead Pastor, Freedom Church, Stettler)
When I was approached about joining a cohort, I was excited to have such a great opportunity to learn from other rural Pastors who have been through the challenges I would be facing as a solo Senior Pastor. Over the first year of my pastorate in Stettler, it became quite apparent to me I am not alone! The intense feeling of support has definitely been a highlight of the cohorts. Being part of the cohorts has been a huge blessing, just to have other pastors I can reach out to when I need encouragement or a word of advice. Without the Cohorts, I would never have gained relationships with the others. It has been a good reminder that no matter what year of ministry we are in, we are always learning and growing toward what God has next for us.
The beautiful thing about the cohort groups is that you don't have to wait till the next MG to make new ministry friendships and connections. I now know who is pastoring in the towns next to me!
Al Downey (Chaplains Cohort Facilitator)
A couple of years ago, I was asked if I would be willing to organize some cohorts for our District Chaplains. I was apprehensive at first, wondering who would respond and how it would materialize. This has become one of the most pleasurable connections I have. Meeting and sharing with these colleagues in ministry, chatting on common issues, and praying together to bond in the Spirit have been stimulating and life-giving for me.
I would encourage each of you to join a cohort and, for an extra blessing, to lead one. We really do need each other, and a Cohort is an exciting, non-intrusive, collegial way of confirming we are a family intent on the same mission. Thank you, Bob Jones, for asking me to lead in this way. I am the primary beneficiary.
Cohort Resources
The ABNWT offers a myriad of resources designed to support rural and urban pastors in a Canadian context.
Healthy Church Content
Practical lessons delivered on demand. Subjects such as Restructuring Around the Why; Developing Staff and Volunteer Roles; Leading Your Team; Engaging Your Community: Services That Connect.
Simply sign up to create a free account. Each lesson comes with bite-size video segments and applicational questions. View them at your own pace. Make use of them with your Board and staff as teambuilders.
Church Vitalization Canada
Make use of a growing library of resources to network, resource, and support pastors. Practical talks are relevant to the Canadian context from Sam Rainer, Ed Stetzer, Shaila Visser, Kevin Shepherd, Anthony Greco, Jeff and Amber Price and more.
Blogs
The ABNWT offers hundreds of articles and videos to kick-start discovery and discussion.
There is a cohort for you. Find a listing of all Cohorts here on the ABNWT Resource Centre website.
GET INVOLVED
Join an existing Cohort or start one of your own.
Bob Jones is the founder of REVwords.com, an author, blogger, and coach with 39 years of pastoral experience. Bob is also an Advance Coach with the ABNWT Resource Centre. You can connect with Bob here.