Reflections & Research
Discover what we are learning about what helps pastors thrive
May 14, 2019
Dave Odom: The path to increased pastoral agency
Pastors operate in highly complex social systems, and even with formal authority may not feel empowered to lead change. The key to building their sense of agency is to build trust among stakeholders and cultivate habits of care.
read moreabout Dave Odom: The path to increased pastoral agencyApril 2, 2019
Kate Rae Davis: Resilience and pastoral leadership
To acquire the resilience necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world, pastors need people, practices and purpose, says the director of the Resilient Leaders Project.
read moreabout Kate Rae Davis: Resilience and pastoral leadershipApril 2, 2019
Mike Cope: Contemplation, relationships, emotional maturity and self-care are key to pastoral thriving
Theological training doesn’t offer ministers everything they need to flourish. Pastoral peer groups that develop additional competencies can fill the gap, writes a minister who is director of ministry outreach at Pepperdine University.
read moreabout Mike Cope: Contemplation, relationships, emotional maturity and self-care are key to pastoral thrivingMarch 19, 2019
Susan M. Weber: Reframing evaluation
Effective evaluation is about learning from one’s work, not judgment. It is a process that must be in place from the beginning of a project and be done in community, writes the director of the Evaluation & Communication Project at the Center for Congregations.
read moreabout Susan M. Weber: Reframing evaluation