Our passion in the ABNWT is to develop a legion of leaders whose sole focus is to obey the Great Commission, lead prevailing, relentlessly outbound ministries, and raise up the next generation of adaptive leaders.
Being in a cohort is an opportunity for leaders to skill up through training, share peer learning and receive support and coaching on some of the biggest internal and external challenges.
Encouraging Development
Afope Sanyade (Youth Pastor, BP Church, Calgary)
"No one walks alone." Our Senior Pastor has popularized this phrase among our church community in the past month as God continues to rejuvenate our church. However, I felt I learned the importance of this phrase in the ABNWT's young leaders' cohorts that began in 2021.
As I tried to pastor teenagers during an unprecedented time in Western history and offer Christ-centred responses to profound questions about race, sexuality, and ethics that the pandemic unveiled, I felt like I needed to walk alone. However, being able to talk to other young church leaders from diverse churches and different geographical locations, I learned that I was not alone in my cluelessness and loneliness. I was inspired as I heard these leaders talk about how they learned to rediscover ancient Christian practices like regular rhythms of rest through Sabbath, simplicity and slowing down, meditative and contemplative prayers, vulnerable confession, and intentional community. I was inspired to be surrounded by leaders whose agonizing experiences in the pandemic had led them to the feet of Jesus.
Moreover, I also had a space to celebrate the joys of ministry and confess the complexities of leading when you are not in charge. I looked forward to these once-a-month meetings where I could delve into relevant conversations with 'my people.' I loved the reflection questions we discussed because they created space for folks to receive feedback and prayers for the unhealthy coping mechanisms or habits that the True Gardner was "pruning" away so that they be even more fruitful.
I cherished meeting Chris and Kiara, young pastors from another denomination. Their perspectives were so helpful and honest that I just had to meet them again outside the cohort space because I wanted to learn more from them. I would encourage every young leader to join a cohort because of the leadership skills you will most likely pick up or sharpen and the relevant learnings you will receive from incredible speakers. Indeed, I guarantee that if you press in, you will make lovely connections with wholesome leaders who will continue to "spur you" on in ministry for the rest of your lives.
Jaeden Glcokzin (Next Gen Pastor, Eaglemont Church, Beaumont)
Peer mentorship is so valuable. Tons of takeaways from what other young pastors do and how they navigate ministry life.
Devan Green (Youth Pastor, Hope City, Edmonton)
We are connecting with other young leaders who I may not have met otherwise. As much as young leaders want opportunities to lead and grow, we all want seasoned leaders in our corner supporting and leading us.
Amy Skinner (Children's Ministry Pastor, Journey Church, Calgary)
My cohort has been meaningful to network and develop relationships with them where it feels safe to ask ministry-related questions and develop as leaders.
Johann Guenter (Associate Pastor, Whitecourt Family Worship Centre)
I am learning by being in a cohort that we don't have to do ministry alone. It is so comforting to know that other pastors and ministry leaders are going through similar challenges and that we are supporting one another. I have been amazed at how many insights come to us while we are talking together as a group about life and ministry. I have learned to become more self-aware as my cohort has challenged me and encouraged me to dig deeper into my relationship with God. The content that we discuss together is engaging and helpful for day-to-day ministry. I love the diversity in our cohort and how we have been able to learn from each other through our discussions.
Another thing that my cohort did for me was to support me in prayer. We have had some very meaningful moments in prayer together as a group where we have been able to share both personal and ministry prayer needs. Even over Zoom, it is amazing how we can feel the Lord's presence and connect in this way. One of the highlights was being able to meet friends from our cohort in person at our annual minister's gathering. Recognizing them from our conversations online and being able to pick up where we left off was such a treat. I have felt much more connected because of my cohort and our meetings online. So thankful for the friends and sense of togetherness that the cohort has brought me.
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.