Sixteen clergy from various places throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America completed training on September 10-12, 2019 for expanding the ministry to support our clergy.
The Archdiocesan Center for Family Care recently received a generous grant from Leadership 100 to train facilitators to lead clergy peer learning groups throughout the country. The focus of these groups, which meet quarterly, is as follows:
- to strengthen and sustain excellent pastoral leaders
- to promote peer learning to sustain pastors in every season of ministry
- to provide clergy with a sacred space for mutual care, support, and accountability
- to engage in theological reflection on pastoral identity and parish ministry
The three-day training was led by Rev. Dr. Alexander Goussetis, who serves as the Director of the Center for Family Care, and Dr. Al Rossi, Director of Psychological & Counseling Services at St Vladimir’s Seminary. Topics included: How to Establish a Group, The Mind of the Facilitator, Managing Group Dynamics, and a session featuring practical “hands-on” exercises.
Fr. Goussetis commented on the maturity and commitment of the facilitators, noting, “These brother clergy work on the frontlines of ministry. I am confident that these newly trained priests will be able to offer care, support, and mutual accountability to our co-workers in the vineyard.”
Clergy Peer Learning Groups are a voluntary program and will be made available to those who wish to participate. These groups will be of particular benefit to priests at every level of pastoral experience: pre-ordained, newly ordained, seasoned, and retired clergy.
Source: GOARCH
