A Community of Practice for Pastors 2027

Various Dates throughout 2027

Developing Leaders who Develop Leaders…  a joint initiative, in partnership with Partners in Ministry (PIM)

One year of excellent leadership training in community to permanently impact a pastor’s ministry trajectory by –

• Working with a group of 8-10 other Baptist pastors to facilitate growth as healthy pastors leading or leading in healthy churches and developing healthy leaders who develop healthy leaders.
• Nurturing and growing leadership skills, abilities, and gifts for decades of fruitful ministry.
• Encouraging self-care to impact longevity in vocation pastoral leadership.
• Leading and developing others as they walk closer with Jesus.

The Pathway and Components for the Year – Dates TBC 

• Preparation for retreat – Completion of 360 Leadership Practices Inventory by people who work with you or who are part of your network.
• Non-Residential Retreat, Focus on leadership formation, developing as an authentic leader and receiving individual 360-degree feedback.
• Five Bimonthly Gatherings of the Community from 9.00 am-4.00 pm 5 times in the year with key input on leadership, developing leaders, living missionally, curating a discipleship culture, as well as time for group conversation and peer mentoring on an individual’s contextual leadership challenges.
• Six Individual one-on-one coaching/supervision sessions with a trained supervisor from Partners in Ministry or BUV to review, contextualize, troubleshoot, and implement.

Note: Participation in a Community of Practice contributes well to fulfilling the following aspects of the Accreditation requirements – 10 hours per year of personal support and accountability, 10 hours per year of collegial support and accountability, 40 hours per year of pastoral development, and 5 sessions of professional pastoral supervision.

The Facilitators – Bill Brown and Kimberly Smith from BUV and John Jeffries from Partners in Ministry with other input from experienced leaders from within BUV and the PIM team of coaches with experience and expertise in a wide variety of ministry contexts – see website partnersinministry.com

The Outcome

A growing number of pastors –

• whose individual leadership has been strengthened with character development, tools, and skills which will serve them well for decades of future ministry.
• who have been enabled to effectively develop leaders who develop leaders.
• having received individual 360-degree feedback to identify strengths and ‘blind-spots’ and tools that will enable them to respond to their ‘blind-spots’ and facilitate growth where needed.
• less likely to be impacted by stress and burnout and better equipped for greater longevity in ministry.
• who have bonded with others who will be able to provide mutual support in their future ministry.
• well placed to bring strong impact to their local church, local community, and the global community.

The Cost

One-year full program – $2,000 invoiced quarterly by Partners in Ministry i.e., $500/quarter. If a participant already has a Professional Pastoral Supervisor, the cost is reduced to $1100.

Expressions of interest

If you are interested in joining our 2027 community or would just like to know more please contact Bill Brown at bill.brown@buv.com.au

Testimonials from those who have been part of a Community of Practice

•  Jon Coombs (Lead Pastor, Mooroolbark Baptist)
  I have found Community of Practice to be a terrific opportunity to learn, grow, think, and laugh about the various aspects of pastoral ministry. To be together with a group who share similar challenges and be able to learn from one another helps to encourage and spur one another on toward good ministry and leadership. I have found the content helpful and stimulating, making me think about how I approach pastoral ministry in a more intentional and thoughtful way. But more than this, the collegial relationships that have been built through this group have enabled me to learn more about how others approach pastoral leadership and know there are others I can call upon for help and wisdom.

• Dave Lovell (Senior Pastor of Bendigo Baptist)
  The past few years of ministry have pushed and pulled me in many directions. Being a part of a Community of Practice with a cohort of Senior Pastors has been an enriching experience that has helped shape me as a leader. I recommend this learning environment for anyone who wants to improve their leadership edge for pastoral ministry. It will have a transformative impact on your life.

• Andrew Harris (Senior Pastor of Croydon Hills Baptist)
  The Community of Practice has been a gift to me both professionally and personally. The openness of a shared learning community of peers partnered with excellent external trainers across diverse and relevant fields has been empowering and encouraging in challenging times.

• Stan Richey (Senior Pastor of Catalyst Baptist)
  I joined the ‘Community of Practice’ cohort this year with fairly low expectations but knew I needed something more in the area of Personal Development this year so decided to give it a shot. I am VERY glad I did! The gatherings with other pastors navigating similar challenges provided encouragement that I was not alone in the things I was facing. The personal coaching sessions with John Jeffries were a massive encouragement and answer to prayer!

• Merryn Mann (Generations Pastor of Crossway Baptist)
  The community of practice has been an excellent investment not only in my leadership but for me personally. I’ve been encouraged & challenged in a supportive environment and made some good friends along the way too. I highly recommend it!

• Adam Southwood (Engagement Pastor of NewHope Baptist)
  Being a part of the Community of Practice has been empowering, equipping, encouraging, and life-giving. There is something powerful that happens when we as leaders share vulnerably, learn from others, pray together, share both wins and struggles, and encourage each other. This will have an impact on your life and leadership.

• Sam Farren (Youth Pastor of Crossway Baptist)
  The Community of Practice has been a safe and real space for me to engage with peers who are wrestling with similar things and celebrating similar things to me. It’s been a joy to come with my vulnerabilities, insecurities, and challenges I’d rather not acknowledge, and still be received with love. I’ve developed ongoing ministry relationships that will sustain me going forwards.