PSEC started its first Communities of Practice groups in 2014. The program gives clergy a chance to come together for support and learning. The groups meet monthly to “check-in” and learn and share about a chosen topic or issue. There is an annual $250 fee for participants to cover the cost of the facilitator and any other program costs. We ask that congregations pay this fee. (Scholarships may be available for churches/clergy with financial difficulties.)

Over the past few years, we have created several affinity groups – clergy nearing retirement, young clergy, racial justice accountability, interims, Members in Discernment – and also traditional groups. Some groups meet virtually on Zoom, others in person, and some vary between the two.

All Communities of Practice:

• meet monthly
• check-in with one another, sharing joys and concerns
• offer a CONFIDENTIAL outlet for seeking guidance or for sharing grievances
• share a short worship or devotion time
• join together for book studies, continuing education, case studies, or some other educational component

The program has been very successful and each year we create more groups. This year, sign ups are available for traditional groups, as well as for clergy that fit into specific categories:

• Best Practices in Church Development (see description below)
• Chaplains and clergy serving in non-church settings
• Interim ministers
• Designated-term pastors
• Lay Ministers and continuing Licensed pastors
• Racial Justice Accountability (see description below)
• Clergy aged 40 and younger
• Clergy nearing retirement age (60-70 years old)

If you are interested in being part of a Community of Practice and are looking for life-sustaining friendships, a new perspective, a renewed calling, a time for reflection, then sign up today. Registration is available here. The deadline to register is Thursday, Dec. 22. If you are already in a group and do not plan to change your group, you do not need to complete this form.

If you have any questions about Communities of Practice or joining a group, contact Rev. Kevin McLemore at mclemore@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.

Best Practices in Church Development

This group is for pastors interested in shepherding their congregations through an intentional process of church development. There will be readings and possible guest speakers from a variety of approaches to church growth and development, including Natural Church Development (Christian Schwarz). Time will be provided for personal and professional sharing with all conversations held in strict confidence.

The group will meet in person from 10:00 to noon one Wednesday a month at least 10 times during 2023 at St. Paul’s UCC, Amityville at 1979 Weavertown Road, Douglassville, PA 19518. A different time or location may be considered if it is agreeable to everyone in the group. Contact Rev. Steven Simpson pastor@stpaulsuccamity.org 610-858-0921 with questions or for more information.

Antiracist Pastoral Leadership & Accountability group

The focus of this group would be antiracist pastoral care and leadership. Practice is needed as well, as is reflection, accountability and mutual support. Pastors can find a safe space for learning and support among other pastors for such work. A Community of Practice offers a unique fit for this area of pastoral growth and development.

The PSEC's Racial Justice Initiative regularly hears from pastors who are asking for tools to strengthen their skill set in order to lead their congregations in faith-centered antiracism work. Antiracism work is not exclusionary work, it is Christ-centered work – the work of healing, the work of justice, the work of learning and the work of growing. If we hope to build healing communities in our churches and in our world, it will be essential to equip our pastors with the skills and tools to offer leadership for the times in which we live. We hope an Antiracist Pastoral Leadership & Accountability COP could be a small step in that direction.   

COPs are voluntary opportunities for pastoral growth and development. This group will do that by: 

• Offering care, support, and accountability 
• Nurturing practices of spiritual discipline 
• Developing “the craft” of ministry and strengthening practices of pastoral leadership 
• Engaging in theological reflection on pastoral identity and congregational ministry 
• Fostering a sense of ministry as a shared endeavor 
• Preparing for a church whose future we cannot yet see or imagine