A NOTE FROM DERRY:In 2022 I made a subtle but significant shift from ministering in the local church to investing in the ministers of local churches (primarily youth pastors). This ministry will come in the form of offering free and confidential coaching, consultation, and care. This Winter/Spring 2023, I am beta testing a cohort experience for youth ministers who are looking for a space to pursue health in a community with others who "get it."
IS THIS OPPORTUNITY RIGHT FOR YOU?
The following criteria can help you answer this question.
NEED FOR COMMON COMMUNITY: Ministry can be lonely. Being a youth minister can make you feel freakishly lonely. If you have found yourself stuck or struggling in youth ministry and not sure where or to whom to turn, this group experience could be the space for you.
HUNGER FOR GROUP LEARNING: This is your opportunity sit in an environment with like-minded peers as an equal. You are not "in charge," but you are a full-fledged participant. Our facilitated conversation (emphasis on CONVERSATION) will focus on...
...Nurturing our heart for Jesus.
...Growing our minds to think strategically about youth ministry.
...Equipping our hands for the work of ministry.
FLEXIBILITY TO CONTENT: I learn as I try things out. This will be the first run at a facilitated peer learning experience for me. It is something I am very excited about, but it also means we will trying things, adjust things as we go, and undoubtedly some things we do will flop. At the same time, this is an opportunity to experience the mysterious ways God can bring a group of people together for His sake and His church!
AVAILABILITY TO MEET: We will meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday or Thursday (based on the collective best time of accepted applicants) from February through April for 90 minutes via Zoom. It is important for the sake of healthy connections that you are in regular attendance.
WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN A REGULAR COHORT MEETING?
Each meeting will last 90 minutes, and will include some or all of the following elements
- Check-in: Quick around the horn on the state of our heart, mind, and soul.
- Reflection: We will take a moment to center on Jesus and His Word.
- Facilitated Discussion: A topic will be presented to the group with opportunity to discuss, ask questions, and share insights/resources.
- Group Coaching: Opportunity will be given for any cohort member to present a situation or issue they are facing to allow other to offer thoughts and/or experiences.
- Prayer: Every session will close in a time of prayer together and for each other.
- Occasional Special Guests: There may be a friend or two of mine who will stop in to offer some perspective, insight, and/or encouragement.
WHAT IS THE COHORT SIZE AND MAKEUP?
For this beta run, cohort member must be volunteer, part time, or full time youth ministry staff in a local church setting. The goal is for the cohort to be 8-10 individuals. Applications are open to men and women.
WHAT ELSE COMES WITH THIS EXPERIENCE?
- Free youth ministry resources (every meeting will include some downloadable goodness)
- A 60 minute 1:1 coaching call with Derry
- A digital puppy*
WHAT IS THE COST?
$0
Yup, you read that right! This is made available due to generous donors who believe in the future of the church and those who are leading Her!
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
- Fill out the initial application by January 20.
- You may be contacted for further conversation.
- You will be contacted by January 31 concerning your participation in the cohort.
Final Cohort participants will be prayerfully decided upon based on availability, size, group dynamics, and applicant responses.
*digital puppy delivery is contingent on still-developing software and probably won't happen in the beta version (or any other version of the cohort for that matter)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JANUARY 20
