The Center for Faith and Imagination (CFI) at Memphis Theological Seminary offers resources and opportunities for faith leaders to live fully and healthily into their calls to ministry. Building on the importance of Christian community and grounded in the understanding that clergy are called to be both pastors and prophets, CFI programs include: Faith Formation Groups: small groups of clergy who covenant to meet face-to-face twice monthly for two years for theological reflection, collegial encouragement, and mutual accountability in a setting to form and deepen relationships, knowledge, spiritual practices, and ministerial vision; Scholarships: in partnership with Clergy Coaching Network, will provide funding for clergy coaching and spiritual direction for ministers whose budgets do not include this support; Immersive Retreats: opportunities for clergy to learn from and with partner individuals and organizations who are effectively engaged in imaginative ministries addressing both the inward and outward journeys of faith leaders and laity; Renewal in Nature: outdoor experiences to provide rest, renewal, and recreation for faith leaders by connecting with God’s creation and with fellow participants through hiking, fishing, gardening, canoeing, and wandering in the woods led by naturalists and spiritual guides; Fellowships: selected recent MTS graduates serving in in under-paid or unpaid settings receive a year’s stipend and are partnered with a faculty mentor to help them develop innovative ministries.
Center for Faith and Imagination
Memphis, Tennessee
Seminary or School of Theology
Presbyterian
Associate Pastors
Bi-vocational/Multi-vocational/Part-time
Clergy couples
Early Career
Ecumenical/Interdenominational
Late Career
Lay ecclesial ministers/Lay pastoral leaders (non-ordained)
LGBTQ+ persons
Men
Mid-Career
Millenials in ministry
Multi-cultural contexts
Retiring
Rural
Senior Pastors
Suburban
Urban
Women