Ecology of Calling Initiatve Cultivating Tomorrow’s Church Leaders Today
The Ecology of Calling Initiative seeks to create a learning community of leaders and congregations through three interconnected programs in a metaphorical ecosystem. The Headwaters, Brackish Waters, and Deep Waters programs will shape the next generation of thriving leaders for the church. They will also have an immediate impact on the thriving ministry of congregations by providing them with critical and creative tools to explore and understand their changing cultural contexts and to clarify their particular mission and vision to serve in new ways. God is still at work calling and equipping leaders in ministry (clergy and laity) with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love, and the Ecology of Calling Initiative is an intentional programmatic articulation of this belief.
Headwaters: Youth Discernment
Introducing the language of calling and vocation to middle & high school church youth.
Middle School Summer Youth Experience
Monday, July 21 – Thursday, July 24, Presbyterian College is hosting a unique summer experience for middle school youth groups that combines service/mission projects with a conference-style community. Groups will engage in morning worship, impactful service, and meaningful faith formation opportunities. As part of our Ecology of Calling Initiative, this event is free to the first 50 participants who register (including youth and adults). Groups are responsible for their own transportation, but all lodging, meals, and conference events are provided.
Vocational Discernment Workshops led in church youth groups
Throughout the year, Presbyterian College’s staff will lead vocational discernment workshops with youth groups of partnering churches. They may occur on campus, as part of a retreat, or can be woven into the onsite youth programing of thriving congregations. To schedule a vocation discernment workshop for your youth group, please contact Dr. Buz Wilcoxon, PC’s Chaplain & Dean of Spiritual Life at bwilcoxon@presby.edu.
Leadership retreat for high schooler students (in partnership with presbyteries)
The college will host leadership retreats each year with invitations being sent to presbytery youth council members, youth elders and deacons, and other youth leaders nominated by their congregations. Speakers for the retreats will be drawn from Presbyterian College faculty and from the faculty of partner seminaries with a focus on introducing the disciplines of liberal arts and theological education to youth leaders.
Brackish Waters: Celtic Cross
Church leadership development for PC students through vocational discernment, mentoring, and exploration of calls. Elements of the Celtic Cross program include:
- Year-long programing with guest speakers sharing insights on different areas of Church leaderships.
- Mentorship programs with partner churches that include participating in worship, mission, youth ministry, or other areas of leadership.
- Contextual Exploration Retreats to examine unique intersections of church leadership and culture in places such as Charleston, Charlotte, and Atlanta.
- Travel Experiences including international travel and attending national conferences. Read about our retreat to Charleston.
Deep Waters: Congregational Leadership Development
Connecting the Liberal Arts to the practices of ministry in congregations for clergy and laity.
Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF)
Presbyterian College is proud to partner with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (Indiana University) to offer the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF). The executive certificate program provides the research, tools, and customized training to meet the growing needs of leaders in religious communities and fundraisers of faith-based organizations. The focus of the ECRF is on the cultural, organizational, and philanthropic practices unique to religious institutions. These practices in turn enable donors motivated by spiritual and religious values to experience the joy of generous giving. The next course will be hosted at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA from May 19-21. PC(USA) leaders can receive a Church Financial Leadership Grant through the Presbyterian Foundation to assist in attending the ECRF.
Thriving in Ministry annual conference
We are excited to sponsor a conference for clergy and other church professionals entitled Thriving in Ministry. The conference will occur on our campus April 29 & 30. PC alumni will serve as the featured speakers, including Carson Ryhne, Jennifer Fouse Sheorn, Brandi Casto-Waters, Joe Evans, and Natalie Sarkowski Raygor. There is no cost to attend the conference, and hotel expenses will be covered for the first 20 participants who register.
Art of Arts Training Events held in congregations
The “Art of Arts” leadership training events will hosted for participating congregations in coordination with partner presbyteries. These one-of-a-kind programs will bring college faculty members from various disciplines to lead workshops that help clarify their mission and vision as well as connect areas of congregational life/ministry with spiritual disciplines.
Liberal Arts of Ministry Cohort Groups
Ministry cohort groups will be led by staff members in the Office of Spiritual Life will focus on a variety of different ministry settings.