Pastoral leaders from across the Synod gathered at Silver Bay YMCA Camp and Conference Center the week before Memorial Day (May 18 – 22) for education, community building, reflection, and respite. The Early Ministry Institute is a legacy program of the Synod of the Northeast that welcomes pastoral leaders (Teaching Elders, Certified Ruling Elders, Chaplains and Specialized Ministry Leaders) who are within the first five years of their call to ministry into a three-year program designed to support and encourage them in their budding ministry. In addition to meeting in-person for a week each year, cohorts (participants and leaders) meet online regularly to support one another, share joys and challenges, and grow in ministry through the shared wisdom of their particular group.
At this year’s EMI gathering we were blessed with fantastic leaders and facilitators who engaged participants on a broad range of topics – The Art of Improvisation in Ministry; Building & Leading Great Teams; AI in Ministry; Community Organizing; How to Run (and Effectively Lead) a Session; Sermon Prep—Planning for the Year; Church Growth—When the Church Doesn’t Want to Change; Extemporaneous Liturgy & Prayer. In addition to these workshops and lectures, we shared in daily morning devotional time and multiple worship gatherings. Participants had small group time with their cohorts as well as time for respite and exploration of the Silver Bay grounds. It was a full and fulfilling week to say the least!
Year after year EMI has supported pastors in their ministry and built relationships that help sustain ministry. One participant offered this comment, “After sharing experiences together for a week, it became difficult to say good-bye on the last day, but it was time to descend from the mountain. I look forward to seeing my new friends again next year;” while another said, EMI is “A must for your ministry!”
The pastoral leaders that participated in this year’s EMI gathering came from across the eight states of the Synod, and serve churches rural to urban, large to small and in hospitals as chaplains. These pastors brought their own wisdom to the conversations – on the porch, at the supper table, and in the conference room. Our presenters, the design team, and the Synod leadership are all blessed for the sharing of the collective, energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.
EMI sounds pretty amazing, doesn’t it? It is, in fact. Ask your colleagues. Were they part of EMI early in their ministry? If you’re early in your ministry, ask your Committee on Ministry and talk to your personnel committee about participating beginning next year. We’d love to have you continue the legacy of the Early Ministry Institute!
