LEAD Cohorts
LEAD Cohorts are online meeting places for small groups of MB pastors and leaders – or anyone interested in learning more about a specific topic or gathering with like-minded people.
LEAD Cohorts are FREE to all participants. The only cost is for books or materials, if recommended by the cohort leader. LEAD Cohorts typically last three months and meet online every two weeks* for about an hour.
These four cohorts will be starting in early September and are expected to fill up quickly. If you are interested in joining one of the cohorts below, please email Lori Taylor. More cohorts will be available in 2018.
Introduction to Spiritual Formation – Chandelle Claassen
This experiential cohort serves as an introduction to Biblical and Christ-centered spiritual formation, or the maturing of one’s relationship with God. We will explore the importance of soul care practices with the intent to embrace who we are uniquely created in Christ to be. Participants will be equipped with and experience application of various tools and spiritual exercises. The cohort focus will be contemplative in nature. Group sharing will be an enriching component of our time together.
This cohort will be led by Chandelle Claassen, a trained spiritual director and certified life coach and member of the USMB LEAD Coaching team. Chandelle lives in North Newton, Kansas.
7-8 bi-weekly sessions beginning in September
Coffee Shop Talk – Patrick Coyle
Grab a cup of coffee and sit down with some of your ministry peers to talk about common issues and challenges in ministry. Each gathering will be focused on a specific topic such as “balancing ministry and family”, “personal spiritual growth” or “dealing with conflict.”
This cohort will be led by Pat Coyle who has been the Senior Pastor of Shafter MB in Shafter, California, since 2001.
7-8 bi-weekly sessions beginning in September
Refreshing Your Pastoral Counseling – John Oelze
This cohort will focus specifically on the heart of the counselor. Through personal counseling interactions that take place as a cohort, we will be reminded and refreshed with the move of the Holy Spirit as He guides us in examining our own hearts to bring about change in others. This model and example will provide a great context and guide for working with others through everyday struggles of life.
This cohort will be led by John Oelze, the executive pastor at First MB Church in Wichita, Kansas.
7-8 bi-weekly sessions beginning in September
The Disciple-Making Power of Expository Preaching – Jared Pulliam
This cohort is intended to inform and enhance the practice of expository preaching, aiming to demonstrate how expository preaching fits with the preacher’s calling to lead their congregation and disciple them from the word of God. This cohort is designed specifically for participants to refine Bible teaching skills in community with others, and in so doing, further develop their abilities in the service of Christ and his Kingdom.
This cohort will be led by Jared Pulliam, lead pastor of Christ Church Sellwood in Portland, Oregon.
*10 weekly sessions beginning in September
Youth Ministry Realities
Get to know other youth workers and engage in passionate discussion focused on the realities we face as youth workers. We will explore topics relevant to the group, such as personal leadership development and spiritual growth, recruiting and training volunteers or talking about Jesus with teens in the iculture. The possibilities are endless.
This cohort will be led by Russ Claassen, SDC district youth minister
7-8 bi-weekly sessions beginning in September
