SPE History

Begun in 2002 through a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to Memphis Theological Seminary, Sustaining Pastoral Excellence is a ministry to support Christian pastors, their families, and their congregations...


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What we are learning 

Excellence in pastoral ministry is a gift of the healing and sustaining grace of God in the life of the whole person. Through faithful relatedness to God and others, good pastors maintain balance (wholeness) in their lives and ministries. 

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Formation For Ministry at Memphis Theological Seminary

Taking what was learned from Sustaining Pastoral Excellence, Memphis Theological Seminary has initiated a program called Formation for Ministry that is specifically designed to help seminary students develop practices that will help sustain pastoral excellence throughout their ministry.

 

Spiritual formation for ministry and the integration of theological education with family life, church and the larger community are essential for development as Christian servant leaders.

 

This three semester class helps help ground participants in covenants of accountability that lead to lifelong theological learning, holy friendships and a set of practices that will sustain pastoral excellence throughout their lives.

 

At the same time, participants explore major themes of Christian life and leadership, including:  Being and Becoming a Beloved Child of God, God’s Dream for the World, Wholeness and Health, Building Relationships and Learning to Live in Solidarity With Those Made Poor and/or Marginal in Society, Keeping the Sabbath, Power, Money, Building the Beloved Community, Call, and Discipleship Over the Long Haul.