'Thriving in Ministry': Preparing clergy to serve returning congregations

The Rev. Dr. Donald Fishburne, left, and the Rev. William Coyne, right, participate in the "Thriving in Ministry" conference in September.

Two priests from The Episcopal Church in South Carolina recently traveled to Virginia Theological Seminary to participate in a new initiative called "Thriving in Ministry," preparing them to bring training and support to the clergy who will serve congregations that are returning to The Episcopal Church.

The Rev. William Coyne, Diocesan Missioner for Returning Congregations, and The Rev. Dr. Donald Fishburne, priest associate at Holy Cross Faith Memorial, Pawleys Island, completed the program at VTS in Alexandria, VA earlier this month. Their training will bring clergy who serve returning congregations access to the gift and expectation that they will be active participants in a "peer group learning environment." This process will support the vitality of the congregations they serve, according to Fr. Coyne.

The Thriving Initiative, supported by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., will serve as a catalyst to form Peer Learning Groups by providing tools so that South Carolina participants can identify and pursue their learning goals in ministry. 'Thriving' trained a cohort of Group Facilitators, including Fr. Coyne, and mentors including Fr. Fishburne, in new skills,  so that along with the peer group learning experience, each participant may choose to have a mentor.  

“I’m excited by the depth and breadth of the scope of this robust initiative, and the strong resources now available to us,” Fr. Fishburne said. "This new program will initially strengthen clergy, and through them — and ultimately through expansions of the program — lay professionals and lay leaders in congregations will also benefit."
 
Thriving in Ministry is a strong collaboration of church practitioners and seminary leaders. The Rev. Dr. David Gortner of the VTS faculty is the Principal Investigator for the program.  Its director, the Rev. Dr. Carol Pinkham Oak, draws upon her experience in parish ministry. Imani Kane is the Program Administrator for the program with her knowledge of community organizing, mentoring teens, and not-for-profit scholarship programs. ​Learn more about Thriving in Ministry here.

For information about returning congregations and The Episcopal Church in South Carolina, contact Fr. Coyne: [email protected] or (843) 614-0679.