The Network for Pastoral Leadership and Healthy Congregations is a creative partnership between the Diocese of Lexington, several of its congregations, newly ordained clergy, and the other sponsoring dioceses of newly ordained clergy and seminaries. Its intention is both to provide median congregations with stable pastoral leadership and to provide newly ordained clergy with a supportive environment in which to apply the knowledge gained in seminary to learning the practice of priestly ministry.
Blessing of the Animals, Our Saviour, Madison County
The short term goal is congregations strengthened to better meet the needs of their communities and new clergy better prepared to meet the challenges of ministry. The long term goal is a pattern of congregational strength and development, as well as happier, healthier clergy better able to exercise productive ministry over a lifetime.
What we offer
- An opportunity for new seminary graduates to learn practical aspects of priestly ministry and congregational development in the context of pastoral-sized, healthy congregations.
- A structure of continuing formation and support over a three-year period.
- Compensation at the minimum standard for the Diocese of Lexington, currently $41,031 (pension base) adjusted annually based on the cost of living. Benefits also include social security tax reimbursement; pension; health; dental and life insurance; four weeks of vacation and two weeks of continuing education leave. Moving expenses are partially subsided by the diocese with the remainder negotiated between the clergy and congregation.
- Loan repayment: Participants will accrue $250 per month of service payable at the successful completion of the program as assistance for student loan repayment or for meeting other expenses designated by the participant.
ASA in all Episcopal Churches, data from Faith Communities Today Survey 2010
- Placement in Charge of a Congregation as Clergy-in-Charge. All of the congregations are median-sized (the red part in the chart), all have the financial resources to sustain participation in the Network; none have atypical pastoral challenges.
- Group Supervision. The monthly supervisory group is led by Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin (Bishop’s Deputy for Leadership Development), The Rev. Richard Burden (Coordinator of Network Programs), and the bishop using a case study method, with a heavy emphasis on family systems thinking.
- Pastoral Leadership Webinar meets monthly (Sept—May), led by experienced and innovative practitioners of ministry with a love for their work, and concentrates on practical ministry applications such as prayer in the midst of active ministry, stewardship, youth ministry, single adults, the elderly, liturgical planning, and financial management (personal and congregational).
- Healthy Congregations Webinar meets monthly (Sept—May) and is focused on topics that help develop lay leadership and build vital ministries. Wardens of the Network congregations commit to participate as well, with vestries and other congregational leaders invited to participate.
- Congregational Ministry Team: a small team from each congregation, trained by the diocese meets regularly with the clergy person to discuss mutual concerns in an honest way.
- Mentor: Each clergy person will be assigned an experienced priest with a gift for nurturing and encouraging new clergy to serve as a mentor. Mentors are trained by the Diocese of Lexington and schedule monthly onsite visits with the Network clergy person.
- Christian Formation Practicum: For two weeks each summer of the program, all participants together and with experienced Christian Education professionals to plan and implement a program in Christian formation for children and youth, our diocesan summer camp, The Cathedral Domain serves as our learning laboratory.
- Continuing Education: In addition to the Network seminars, and the summer formation practicum, we offer other continuing education opportunities, or provide small grants to Network clergy for outside continuing education.
From adaptive challenges to innovative solutions
Work party at St. Mary's, Middlesboro
In 2009, Bishop Stacy Sauls looked at two challenges in the church and saw an opportunity.
On one hand, three quarters of Episcopal congregations have an average attendance of fewer than 150 people. These churches are doing vital ministry, especially in smaller towns and rural areas, but their budgets often do not allow them to compete on the open market to attract and keep the best and the brightest clergy that they deserve. On the other hand, the traditional model of forming new clergy as curates in large urban churches is not only unsustainable, it doesn’t necessarily prepare new priests for the kind of communities where they will likely be practicing most of their ministry.
In this juxtaposition, Bishop Sauls saw treasures to be shared: new seminary grads’ enthusiasm and heart for mission, and the treasure of God’s people living the Gospel in communities small in numbers but great in spirit. Each has much to teach the other. Each needs the other to live out their vocation. Added to these are the treasures that the Diocese has to offer: dedicated clergy and laypeople with wisdom and experience in the practice of parish ministry.
Thoughts from current participating clergy
As network clergy, we have been surprised, we have been challenged, we have been supported, we have been loved, and we have been blessed. We have not been bored, and we have never been alone. We have learned something of what it means to be a priest in Christ’s church, and to serve alongside God’s people in a supportive community of peers.
What attracted you to the congregation you are serving?
- The area of Kentucky where I am serving is a remarkably good fit for me and my family. The size of the congregation — not too big, not too small — was attractive.
- The possibilities for broad liturgical expression was attractive — high church, low church, emerging church — it’s all possible here.
- The sense that I could grow in the love of Christ along with the parishioners.
What have you been surprised about so far?
I’ve been happily surprised by how fully the congregation has embraced their role in the network; they want it to succeed and they are committed to doing the work to ensure that it does.
St. Patrick, Somerset
What benefits are you experiencing from participation in the Network for Pastoral Leadership and Congregational Development?
The support we’re receiving is excellent, also the size of the diocese means the response time for questions and concerns is very rapid. I also have sensed a closer connection to other network parishes in the Diocese (because I know them through the selection process and through network meetings); something I don’t think is common in other dioceses.
Can you site one specific insight you have gained already from one of the webinars, presentations, trainings, or supervisory meetings?
Don’t forget to pray.
Curriculum 2011-2012
The support and continuing education of the Network program is designed to meet two interrelated goals. 1. to help newly ordained clergy develop the experience and skills necessary to become healthy and effective leaders, who are able to raise up lay-leadership and increase the capacity for healthy, self-sustaining congregations; and 2. to enable congregations to become effective at training clergy and lay leaders in order to increase the congregation’s capacity to be vital mission centers within their respective communities.
The Network is a growing, and dynamic structure, with much room for flexibility. The basic structure provides a three year cycle of curriculum in both Pastoral Leadership (focused on the clergy), and a multi-year curriculum in Sustaining Healthy Congregations (focused on lay and clergy leaders in the congregation).
Pastoral Leadership webinars 2011-2012
Year one of Pastoral Leadership covers topics such as: prayer & spiritual health, parish administration and finance, maintaining healthy boundaries, managing liturgical change, local pastoral care resources, preparing people for baptism, weddings, and funeral.
In years two and three the Pastoral Leadership opportunities open up, topics covered may include: the Rite of reconciliation, vestry retreat planning, introduction to specialized ministries of the diocese (older adults, singles), evaluating Christian Formation programs, working with the OTM profile, and in the third year, interviewing and transition issues.
Topics and Presenters in 2011-2012
Don’t forget to pray—The Rt. Rev. Frank Griswold
Planning Liturgy to Sustain Mission—The Rev. Mark Asman, Trinity, Santa Barbara
Dollars & Sense: Parish Administration and Finance—Holli Powell & The Venerable Bryant Kibler, DioLex
Vestry Retreat Planning—Mary Louise Dean, DioLex
Healthy Boundaries—Dr. Kay Collier-McLaughlin, DioLex
Transition Discernment—Tori Duncan, Episcopal Church Center
Pastoral Care Resources—DioLex staff
Your OTM Profile—Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin
Interviewing Skills—The Rev. Laurie Brock, DioLex
Spirituality of Pastoral Ministry—The Rev. Bruce Swinehart (3rd year presentation)
Pre-wedding work—Ron Werner-Wilson, DioLex
Single Adult Ministry—The Rev. Laurie Brock & Dr. Kay Collier McLaughlin
Four Weddings & a Funeral—The Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen, Interim Assisting Bishop, DioLex
Network Field Trip to Runnymeade Horse Farm, Spring 2011
Sustaining Healthy Congregation Webinars 2011-2012
The Sustaining Healthy Congregations curriculum covers topics such as: conducting a congregational communications audit, introduction to Family Systems, Beyond Business as Usual on the Vestry, planning missional budgets, lay ministry training, year-round stewardship, diocesan ministry opportunities. Clergy in their third year are responsible for leading one of these Healthy Congregations webinars based on their own interests and passions.
Topics and Presenters: 2011-2012
Resetting the Context—Dr. Kay Collier-McLaughlin
Communication Audit Strategies—John Lynner Petersen
Planning Missional Budgets—The Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen
Strengthening Healthy Leadership—Dr. Kay Collier-McLaughlin
Vestry: Beyond Business as Usual—The Rev. Cindy Duffus (3rd year presentation)
How to Leave Well: Celebrating Ministry Transitions: The Rev. Janey Wilson (3rd year presentation)
Sacramental Theology of Church Architecture—The Rev. Tim Fleck (3rd year presentation)
After Christendom: The Church in the time of change—The Rev. Richard Burden (3rd year presentation)
Congregations that have participated in the Network
2009-2012:
Haiti Relief Benefit Concert at Our Saviour, Madison County
Christ Church Cathedral/St. Augustine’s UK Campus Ministry
2010-2013:
Christ Church, Harlan/St. Mark’s Hazard
2011-2014:
2012-2015:
We are hopeful that there will be one congregational placement in Lexington and another in Northern Kentucky—we’ll post more details as they are available.
The Network continues to grow and evolve. For more information contact The Rev. Richard Burden, Coordinator of Network Programs
2012 Upcoming Dates & Deadlines:
February: Skype and in person interviews with candidates and Richard+, Network Coordinator—Essay questions emailed.
Feb. 10: OTM profiles and/or resumes to Dr. Kay Collier-McLaughlin, diocesan transition officer.
Feb 22: (Ash Wednesday) Answers to essay questions due—emailed to Kay.
March 5-9: Skype interviews with candidates and parishes.
March 12-15: Walkabouts in DioLex.
March 31: Network placements made.
April-June: Letters of Agreements signed, second visit to parish look for housing etc.
August—September: Begin work in DioLex
