Life in my new work in the Pacific Northwest is sure keeping me busy, including an incredible amount of travel in the past few weeks.
One of the highlights of my recent activity has been attending the SHAPE National Regional Directors' Meeting in Arizona. While I have briefly referenced SHAPE before, it is still a fairly obscure concept in the Church of God because of its current regional implementation. Now that I am leader in one of the regions I am quickly being submersed in this ministry.
In short, SHAPE (Sustaining Health and Pastoral Excellence) is a ministry initiative between Church of God Ministries and six regions in the U.S. designed to strengthen and support pastors. (More information, including an informative video, can be viewed at their website: http://shape.chog.org). In some ways SHAPE is still under development, as we try to find the most effective way to accomplish the critical objectives. Major funding to make this possible is provided by the Lilly Endowment.
What impresses me most about SHAPE is that this is not just another "program" conceived in Anderson and promoted across the church. Past endeavors of this nature have often had limited success and have often left a somewhat skeptical view in the church toward "Anderson". SHAPE is completely different. First, it is a true partnership with regions, and therefore is much more responsive and in-touch with the needs of pastors and congregations. Second, the leadership is deeply committed and passionate about the need for strengthening our ministers, who are increasingly facing many pressures and challenges. And, third, SHAPE is designed around life-change and community-building, and therefore is an ongoing, dynamic system that cannot be reduced to simple formulas or events.
One of the themes that was expressed over and over again at our retreat is the common vision to see SHAPE "transform the culture" of the Church of God from one of independence to true interdependence. We admitted that in a few years, as it evolves, we may no longer even call it "SHAPE" and that it might look different on the surface than it does now. But, there is a strong resolve to see SHAPE have a profound, almost subversive, effect on how we function. From this we hope to see increased leadership development, congregational life, and Kingdom expansion.
Spending time with these SHAPE-pumped people was very inspiring, and the vision is truly contagious. If you are able to join a SHAPE cluster in your region, take advantage of the opportunity. It can literally change your ministry and your life.
One of the highlights of my recent activity has been attending the SHAPE National Regional Directors' Meeting in Arizona. While I have briefly referenced SHAPE before, it is still a fairly obscure concept in the Church of God because of its current regional implementation. Now that I am leader in one of the regions I am quickly being submersed in this ministry.
In short, SHAPE (Sustaining Health and Pastoral Excellence) is a ministry initiative between Church of God Ministries and six regions in the U.S. designed to strengthen and support pastors. (More information, including an informative video, can be viewed at their website: http://shape.chog.org). In some ways SHAPE is still under development, as we try to find the most effective way to accomplish the critical objectives. Major funding to make this possible is provided by the Lilly Endowment.
What impresses me most about SHAPE is that this is not just another "program" conceived in Anderson and promoted across the church. Past endeavors of this nature have often had limited success and have often left a somewhat skeptical view in the church toward "Anderson". SHAPE is completely different. First, it is a true partnership with regions, and therefore is much more responsive and in-touch with the needs of pastors and congregations. Second, the leadership is deeply committed and passionate about the need for strengthening our ministers, who are increasingly facing many pressures and challenges. And, third, SHAPE is designed around life-change and community-building, and therefore is an ongoing, dynamic system that cannot be reduced to simple formulas or events.
One of the themes that was expressed over and over again at our retreat is the common vision to see SHAPE "transform the culture" of the Church of God from one of independence to true interdependence. We admitted that in a few years, as it evolves, we may no longer even call it "SHAPE" and that it might look different on the surface than it does now. But, there is a strong resolve to see SHAPE have a profound, almost subversive, effect on how we function. From this we hope to see increased leadership development, congregational life, and Kingdom expansion.
Spending time with these SHAPE-pumped people was very inspiring, and the vision is truly contagious. If you are able to join a SHAPE cluster in your region, take advantage of the opportunity. It can literally change your ministry and your life.
5 comments:
my pastor has been extremely active in SHAPE here in Oklahoma.
Sadly, he resigned from our church ...and from the ministry last sunday. (the 19th)
I was, and am, devastated and I have many thoughts, that at this time won't put onto your blog ... because the bitterness would show pretty extensively ...
I'm sorry to hear about your pastor and the disappointed it has created you.
There are a number of ministers out there throwing in the towel from ministry. While over the long term SHAPE should help create a new support system for pastors, obviously for some it may not be enough.
Lloyd,
How are things going with your OneVoice column?
well, my disappointment is not aimed at my pastor ... I should have clarified that.
The disappointment is aimed at the members of the body who've sucked the life of ministers who then need to retire from the ministry ...
Think I better stop there ....
Oddly enough, the book I have being published has a poem dedicated to my pastor, and the devotional talks about the number of ministers that leave the ministry every year. I wrote that 4 years ago. I had NO idea that he'd leave the ministry at the very time the book would come out!
Unfortuneately, the very people who should be ashamed of themselves for running people out of the ministry ... are in fact, quite the opposite ...they are quite proud of themselves and fueled by their success.
Those who need to hear the words of pray for your ministers, love them, protect them ...will never hear it, and those who already know it ...will just have it confirmed ...
Larry,
I continue to submit articles. The next one should appear in the Dec/Jan issue.
Dreaming Again,
I hear you when you talk about the way churches treat pastors. One of the biggest reasons many are looking for a way out.
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