SPE/Calvin Theological Seminary Course

A course was held June 6-9, 2011 in Grand Rapids, MI.  Participants included 6 pastors from 3 different countries, along with 6 students from Calvin Theological Seminary.  After completing the course, participants made the following comments:

“I’ve gained perspective on leadership and conflict resolution, which will help me as I get back into church life this fall.  I feel like I know how to lead.  My style has been affirmed and I feel more confident in it.” 
“The many insights about leadership have been especially helpful, but also having perspectives from those who have been there.” 
“I learned that even though the pastoral ministry is difficult and hard, at the core and at the end it is a most privileged way of serving.”

A group of 17 pastors, 1 pastoral candidate, and 1 seminary student participated in the course held March 3-4, 2011 in Listowel, Ontario.  In reflecting on the experience, one participant commented, “For leadership issues, this course was very timely!”  Another noted that the course provided “great material to use while in dire straits.”  When asked how the seminar will help in their future ministry, a participant responded, “This seminar gave me more resources to use with others as I mentor them.”

CLASSES OF 2010

A course was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan on June 7-11, 2010.  Participants included 7 pastors, 2 lay leaders, and 1 student from Calvin Theological Seminary.  After completing the course, one participant said, “I greatly appreciated this course, and the opportunity to connect across traditions, which is not always accessible within a single denominational experience.”  Another participant reflected, “I am leaving revived – I am reconnected with the ‘God’s Space’ within me and my self is stripped of false presumptions.”

The course was offered at West End CRC in Edmonton, Alberta on March 24-26, 2010.  A variety of ministry leaders were represented including twelve pastors, two youth pastors, one campus chaplain, and one ministry coordinator.  When asked what was the most significant thing learned in the course, one participant replied, “I’m not alone in my short-comings, feelings of inadequacies.  But there are steps/differentiation that can help me learn to trust Christ.”  Another participant reflected that the course, “… will help me decide what might be next.  There was some definite affirmation for me in my sense that God is calling me to ministry, though where that will lead I don’t know.”

CLASSES OF 2009

In June 2009, a group of twelve students gathered in Grand Rapids, Michigan to study the theology and practice of pastoral ministry.  After completing the course, one student said, “It encourages me to see how others are practicing ministry.  It reminds me of the support and encouragement of others – the cloud of witnesses.” 

Classes of 2008

The course was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan from June 2-6, 2008.  When asked what was the most significant thing learned in the course, one student replied, “How important it is to reflect theologically on the call to ministry throughout ministry.”  Another student reflected, “I realized more and more that I can’t do this on my own.  This is God’s work, so to know his way is the better way…”

Classes of 2007

Fourteen students participated in the class held on June 4-7, 2007 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  After completing the course, one student commented, “Brilliant course.  Immensely helpful and engaging.  It was very good to listen to pastors of different denominations and reflect on the different perspectives their traditions gave them.”  When asked how this course will help in their future ministry, one student replied, “It was a course I can come back to again and again.  Grounded in my calling and role in leadership when I find my well going dry.”

A course was held in Surrey, British Columbia on February 12-16, 2007.  Of the thirteen students who participated, one commented that, “It changed how I look at congregations and how I function in it and deal with myself.”  When asked how the course will help in their future ministry, another student responded, “As our church transitions from a medium to a large church, the ideas I learned will inspire me.”

Classes of 2006

In June 2006, seventeen students completed the course which was held in Grand Rapids, MI.  When asked what was the most significant thing learned in the course, one student responded, "Elements of the course have been affirming for me.  It wasn't so much that I learned something significant; the course as a whole was refreshing (and provocative at times - moving me to think more deeply)."  Another student commented, "It will give me some benchmarks and concepts I can return to routinely to evaluate my ministry and leadership."

Anaheim, CA was the location of the first class offered in 2006. Seventeen students met for five days to study pastoral excellence. "Knowing that I’m not alone struggling with being a pastor is so helpful," commented one of the students. Another said, "It [the course] will help me develop wise habits (devotions, balance); [it] inspired me to keep reading/studying/taking classes [and it will] help me lead my congregation more effectively."

Classes of 2005

A group of ten students gathered in Orlando, Florida from February 28 – March 4 to take The Theology and Practice of Pastoral Ministry course. After the course one student commented, “This course helped me to develop my pastoral identity.”

Sixteen students were in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the course that was offered in June. The following remarks were made by two of the students. “After nearly two years of ministry this course is addressing all the questions I’ve had.” “I learned many practical things on how to be sustained in ministry and how to maintain proper boundaries.”

Classes of 2004

The course was offered in Grand Rapids, MI from June 7-11, 2004. Eighteen students completed the course.

A class of eleven were the first students to take The Theology and Practice of Pastoral Ministry. The class met near Ottawa, ON in late February 2004 for five days.

Course Description