Part-Time Local Pastors (PTLP) Clergy Cohort (August 2021-January 2022) **Pilot Program**

Program Description

This program will include two clergy cohorts with five PTLPs each who meet monthly with a Cohort Coach for six months, from August 2021-January 2022. The learning objectives of this Cohort experience are:

• Cohort members will be able to articulate the unique role and identity of the pastor and challenges and opportunities of PTLP ministry for themselves and the congregation.
• Cohort members will be able to exegete the geographical and missional area of their church using Mission Insite tool and community listening practices.
• Cohort members will receive support and accountability and be able to identify resources for issues which they confront in their ministry settings.
• Cohort members will develop a capstone project with their D.S. and congregational leaders in a targeted area of congregational development, identified through research of PTLPs.
• Cohort members will be able to identify growth and learning by participating in and learning the responses from before and after surveys.

Elements of the Cohort experience will include:

• Six monthly cohort coaching sessions by zoom with Cohort Coach (in a group of 5 PTLPs)-date and time to be determined by cohort.
• Two 30-minute individual coaching sessions with Cohort Coach.
• Development and execution of a capstone project with lay leaders of your church in one of three areas: job description and expectations of clergy; financial literacy and leadership; linking church with community.
• Study of Effective Small Churches in the 21st Century by Carl Dudley, and Mission Insite tool.
• One 60-minute consultation with your D.S. regarding your capstone project.
• Covenant Agreement with your local church to allow for 2 hours/week of your work time to be applied to this Cohort work, plus 2 hours/week of personal time.
• Use of the MSC Crossroads Ministry Platform for confidential cohort meetings, resource sharing, and encouragement conversations- all participants must join cohort and check platform weekly or more frequently.

Abstract of Part-time Local Pastor Research

Cost and Registration

The Leadership Development Area of the Mountain Sky Conference will cover 65% of the cost of this pilot coaching program. Each participant and the church/charge they serve will cover the remaining portion of the registration fees. The cohort will use the Mountain Sky Ministry Crossroads platform as a meeting space, and each participant will be given a link to join the private cohort upon invitation.

The cost of participation in this PTLP Clergy Cohort is $49.99 for the clergy and $50 for the church/charge. The study book listed above will be paid for by the Leadership Development area and sent to the participant when registration is complete.

Coach Bio

Dr. Amy Gearhart

Amy has served university, suburban, rural, and urban congregations for over 33 years in Colorado, Missouri, North Carolina, and Illinois. She is currently the Lead Pastor of Arvada UMC in northwest Denver metro-area. In 2020, she was conferred a Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) in educational leadership and policy analysis, focusing on organizational leadership, non-profit and leadership development. Her dissertation focus is on Part-time Local Pastors as the fastest growing professional clergy population in the UMC, and their unique experiences and challenges in the Mountain Sky Conference. Leadership and coaching credentials include: