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Sustaining Excellence in Ministry:  Accountability, Friendship & Hope in Peer Groups

Presented in Partnership with Bexley Hall Theological Seminary

A program based on the Lilly Endowment's Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Project

November 2-4, 2010

Procter Center, London, Ohio

Register online here.  Click here for a downloadable registration form and here for a flyer about the conference.

For the last eight years, the Lilly Endowment has funded the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) project, focusing on creating peer support for clergy and other church professionals. Now the project's new research makes clear what many of us suspected:

Clergy and lay professionals do best when they understand the concept of call and the work of ministry; hold each other accountable for their work, words and visions; and enjoy fellowship and rest together. When leaders have peer support, they are happier in their work, lead growing congregations, and are invigorated for the daily tasks of ministry.

This conference offers an opportunity to learn about the impact of the Lilly-funded peer support groups and how to develop and maintain new peer groups.

Who should attend:

• Diocesan, Synod, Conference and other judicatory officers responsible for clergy continuing education and wellness.
• Clergy and other congregational leaders wishing to create a peer group or refresh an existing peergroup.
• Judicatory officers and congregational leaders interested in the implications of the SPE project for theological education and spiritual formation, including those responsible for Schools for Ministry.

This program will address:

• The results from a three-year study of clergy and other ministry leader peer groups which included over 5,000 ministers of more than 17 denominations across the United States
• Different types of peer group design
• What types of ministers are drawn to what types of peer group formats
• Implications the study outcomes have for lifelong learning, continuing education and professional education for clergy and laity.

Through large group conversations, small group and solitary exercises, participants will learn about the key outcomes from the project and how to create a basic design for peer group recruitment for their diocese or judicatory, or to form a group themselves.

Conference Leaders:

Janet Maykus is one ofthe lead researchers on the SPE project and recently served as principal of the College of Pastoral Leaders and director of Christian leadership education at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciplesof Christ). Bruce Roberts is also a researcher on the SPE project. He is professor emeritus of congregational education and leadership and served as director of the Indiana Clergy Peer Group Study Program at Christian Theological Seminary. Bruce is retired pastor of the United Methodist Church.

Location:

The Procter Camp and Conference Center is located in the Diocese of Southern Ohio, just 25 minutes from south Columbus. The Procter Center offers hotel-style sleeping and meeting rooms. More information can be found at the conference center’s website.

Date and Time:

The conference will begin at 1 pm on Tuesday, November 2nd and conclude with lunch at noon on Thursday, November 4th.

Program Fee:

The conference fee is $190 and includes all meals and snacks from Tuesday afternoon, November 2 through lunch on Thursday, November 4.

Accommodation options are as follows:

• Hotel-style room with private bath – Single:$140 for 2 nights
• Hotel-style room with private bath – Double:$98 per person for 2 nights
• Room with shared bath – Single or Double:$90 per person for 2 nights

Rooms with private bath are limited and available on a first-come, first served basis. If sharing a room, conference attendees are responsible for making roommate arrangements.

To Register:

Contact Susan Quigley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 847-328-9300, ext. 45 or click here for a registration form.

For more information:

Contact Ruth Frey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 847-328-9300, ext. 56.