Fatigued, worn out and longing to go deeper into your faith journey?

Theology, Formation & Evangelism Spiritual Practices cohort groups begin next week

by Paul Seebeck | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — New Theology, Formation & Evangelism cohort groups begin next week.

At 6 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Nov. 16, the Spiritual Practices cohort will meet for the first time with spiritual director Karen Henderson, who will facilitate bi-weekly sessions for the three-month cohort. On alternating weeks, cohorts will gather to work together on their new practice and share their experience in Zoom breakout rooms.

Karen Henderson

The Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill, associate director of Theology, Formation & Evangelism, said there’s still time to sign up for this cohort and others being offered by TFE.

“We’ve heard about the need for cohorts from church leaders and members across the denomination,” she said. “People are just fatigued and worn out and really long for communities of faith to go deeper in their spiritual practices and faith journey.”

TFE is also offering a cohort using the 8 Habits of Evangelism resource which was explored during the recent REvangelism Conference. Interest sessions for this cohort on radical welcome, worship, sacraments, prayer, justice, teaching, fellowship and generosity are at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 16  and at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Nov. 18. Register for one of the interest group sessions here. Click here for the Zoom link for either interest group.

For the Rev. Dr. Ray Jones III, director of Theology, Formation & Evangelism, the 8 Habits cohorts ground evangelism firmly within the context of discipleship and God’s justice.

From left, the Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill and the Rev. Dr. Ray Jones III, leaders of Theology, Formation & Evangelism. (Photo by Rich Copley)

“These habits will help people go deeper into the whole notion of evangelism, but also in their relationships with God and one another in and outside the faith community,” Jones said. “That’s the essential piece of why these cohorts are so important. It’s not to be done alone but within groups of people.”

An Enneagram for Ministry Leadership cohort begins on Jan. 6, 2022. After completing a questionnaire giving them an in-depth report on their Enneagram type, cohorts will use the information as a framework to strengthen leadership in ministry. Through individual case studies and group discernment, participants will be become more aware of their own and others’ core motivations — and the unique way each person’s story points to the Divine. Scholarships are available to cover the discounted cost of $100 for the Enneagram test.

Other cohorts starting in 2022 are:

• The Bringing into Focus Ministry Leader Formation cohort will support ministry leaders in making deep connections between their personal and ministerial vision, purpose and action, as it relates to the Matthew 25 vision and foci.
• The Antiracism as Spiritual Practices cohort will help participants live into their values, relationships and commitments more intentionally as they more fully live into Dismantling Structural Racism.
• The Black Women in Ministry Leadership, a TFE shared identity cohort, is aimed at healing and support on the spiritual and soul level.

“These cohorts are a way for us to learn more about the ministry that’s going on in the church,” Jones said, “and how we can best walk alongside leaders to support them in their ministry, as they do their gospel work, which is beautiful, but absolutely difficult at times.”

Apply here for any of these cohorts from Theology, Formation & Evangelism.