Tuesday, April 1, 2008
- NTS Connection
Resourcing NTS Alumni in their first pastoral assignments
The NTS Early Ministry Initiative (EMI) extends the service and resources of NTS to its graduates who are involved in their first pastoral assignment. Dr. Keith Schwanz, Assistant Dean, guides this process by continuing to work with the students after graduation (Dr. Schwanz also worked closely with these same students throughout the placement process while they were finishing their Seminary degrees).
The first EMI cohort participated in an online conversation during the fall of 2006. 17 NTS graduates from the previous four years were invited to participate and each was serving in their first pastoral assignment (either as pastor or co-pastor with their spouse). Dr. Schwanz facilitated the online discussion of issues faced by young pastors such as learning the cultural context (both the congregation and broader community), refining pastoral skills, and nurturing an emerging pastoral identity.
The first EMI cohort began with a deluge of online interaction: more than 5,000 page hits in the first two weeks. It quickly became apparent that there was a deep sense of isolation felt by some of the young pastors as they transitioned into parish ministry. The intensity waned in subsequent weeks, but participation remained strong throughout the 12-week experience.
The second EMI cohort met online during the fall of 2007. The same topics were used, but the make-up of the cohort shifted. Graduates from 2006 and 2007 who were involved with any parish assignment were invited to participate. Students used the “case study” type of approach to guide their dialogue (similar to what they used in their Supervised Ministry Experiences while Seminary students): one of the pastors wrote about a ministry experience where he/she needed help, and his or her peers thought theologically about that experience and shared wisdom on faithful ministry in that context. The discussions have been a source of encouragement for young pastors, and participants have expressed a deep sense of gratitude for the EMI conversation.