‘Ministering to Ministers’ now part of the seminary’s Center for Lifelong Learning
by Columbia Theological Seminary | Special to Presbyterian News Service
The Vernon S. Broyles Jr. Leadership Center on the campus of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. (Photo by Gregg Brekke)
DECATUR, Georgia — Ministering to Ministers Foundation (MTM), a long-standing program offering resources for terminated clergy and other church professionals, is now a program administered by the Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) at Columbia Theological Seminary.
Founded in 1994 by Dr. Charles Chandler, the ministry has helped ministers, their families, congregations, and people of faith during one of the most traumatic crises in ministerial life: a forced termination from a church or place of ministry.
The program offers help, hope and renewal for ministers in crisis.
“What could have been a terrible ordeal for our family became something that will serve as a springboard for further ministry. During the retreat we found a light at the end of a dark tunnel and a road map to wellness that has enabled us to thrive in adverse conditions,” said a former Ministry participant.
For the past three years, the Center for Lifelong Learning and Ministering to Ministers have partnered to provide the Transition into Wellness Retreats for ministers and their spouses. This signature event offers clergy and their spouses an opportunity to share in a restorative experience with ministry peers. Led by trained facilitators, the retreat offers peer group conversations and support, information sessions led by experts in relevant fields, and group therapy led by a psychiatrist or psychologist.
The Center for Lifelong Learning will expand its services to church clergy through the Ministering to Ministers program, under the umbrella of its Pastoral Excellence Programs.
Registration for the fall 2021 retreat is now open. Click here to learn more or to register.
Those who’ve experienced a forced termination, or are experiencing conflict which may lead to one, can contact the Ministry at MTM@ctsnet.edu.
Persons who wish to contribute to the scholarship fund to support this ministry may send gifts, electronically here or to “Ministering to Ministers” at Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 S. Columbia Drive, Decatur GA, 30030.
About Columbia Theological Seminary’s Center for Lifelong Learning
For church professionals and lay people, Columbia’s Center for Lifelong Learning provides non-degree learning opportunities to learn with and from others for faithful discipleship.
Led by top-notch seminary faculty and other experienced leaders, our offerings are biblically and theologically grounded, with a practical focus to help participants identify and address specific, real-life needs.
About Columbia Theological Seminary
Columbia Theological Seminary exists to cultivate faithful leaders for God’s changing world. Columbia Seminary is a community of theological inquiry, leadership development, and formation for ministry in the service of the Church and the world. Columbia offers six masters and doctoral degree programs, and opportunities for continuing education through The Center for Lifelong Learning.
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