About the Institute
Today’s pastors face daunting expectations. They must fill many roles— spell-binding speaker, visionary, spiritual leader, psychologist, counselor, business manager, human resource specialist, to name a few— roles that expand so rapidly that a sense of futility sets in as the gap between what they were prepared for in seminary and what they encounter on a daily basis steadily widens.
With this understanding, through our TMF Institute, we provide leadership, self-care, and spiritual formation resources to pastors through:
- Clergy Development Groups- These affinity groups are the central element of the ministry and provide pastors a “safe” place to learn, grow, share and reflect together on what the church is and could be, and who they are and can be.
- Educational Seminars- These events for clergy and laity provide a catalyst for deeper self-directed group work
- Think Tanks- These events draw together people interested or experienced in an issue to discuss and share new insights and perceptions
- Special Events- These events bring together all disparate United Methodists in Texas, South Central Jurisdiction, and occasionally beyond to explore ways to put the mission of sustaining excellence in ministry and pastoral leadership at the center of our endeavors
- Communities of Learning- Unique communities of clergy and laity from churches sharing a commonality in ministry setting, size and passion for becoming more missionally-focused, disciple-making communities of faith, which are lead through a process of visioning and strategic planning
- District Superintendent Development Groups and Bishops Conclaves- These gatherings provide district superintendents and bishops an affinity group experience as they explore their role, and that of the institutional hierarchy, in bringing about adaptive change in congregations and their conferences.