HOPE CSA's chief program is its year-long course of instruction for pastoral leaders who desire to learn a more "organic" way of life and ministry using the setting of J.L. Hawkins Family Farm. HOPE CSA also collaborates with the Samaritan Counseling Center-South Bend (SCC) to offer clergy care and challenge groups; congregational consultation; and clergy coaching. The Clergy and Congregation Care ministries of HOPE CSA and SCC are guided by the national Samaritan Institute's ten year effort to develop services, funded by the Lilly Endowment (click here for brochure), and in concert with the Samaritan Institute's Midwest Collaborative.
Clergy Care & Challenge: Collegial Groups
Navigating the deep joys and real sorrows, the enthusiasms and burdens, the satisfactions and bewilderments of the pastoral life is difficul to do alone. Many clergy are finding that it requires more than "support" - whether from families, friends, colleagues, congregations or judicatories. To remain effective and healthy, clergy collegial groups that meet regularly can be, as one participant noted, "a godsend."
Two different types of groups are offered:
1. HOPE CSA's on-farm Tending the Shepherds Who Tend the Flocks: Toward Holy Health in Pastor and People. (click here for 2012 brochure)
2. HOPE CSA and Samaritan Counseling Centers Clergy Care and Challenge Groups. (click here for brochure)
Clergy Care & Challenge: Coaching
Beginning in the summer of 2012, HOPE CSA/Samaritan Counseling Center will be pleased to offer the services of an accredited clergy coach. What is coaching? Using a “trip” or “journey” metaphor, coaching is the formal assistance given as one strives to effectively “go from here to there” generally by enhancing performance. Look for more information in June 2012.
Congregational Care & Challenge: Consultation
Navigating the cares and challenges of organizational ministry sometimes requires outside perspective and comptence in order to thrive. Whether it be the clarification of identity, purpose and mission; assistance through a transition; organizational planning, or addressing and making use of conflict; we have experience and tools available provide consultation services to you and your congregation or organization.
Care & Challenge Training
Look for more information during 2012 for opportunities for training in the ministry of clergy and congregation care and challenge.