Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative

June 2004 Update

The Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative is off to a great start. Forty-two applications have been submitted by the first deadline by pastors and congregations for acceptance into the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative (CPI). These applications represent diverse grouping of congregations across the United States and Canada. Applicants are a mix of small and large congregations from rural and urban settings. Men and women of all ages have applied. “I am extremely pleased with the number and quality of applicants at this early stage in the process,” Tom Mountenay, CPI coordinator, said.

Twenty-five of these applicants will be chosen for the first cohort. Other applicants will be considered for future cohorts.

Once the cohort of twenty-five have been chosen the congregation will meet to review the requirements of the covenant. If the congregation continues to proceed through the covenant process additional time will be given in a congregational workshop that will prepare the congregation to enter a covenant with the church.

This five-year ministerial program is designed to enhance the ministry of 100 bi-vocational pastors in Canada and the United States. This initiative requires the congregation and World Church to co-mission with pastors who are willing to serve for several years in that capacity and who sense the divine call to increase the health and vitality of their congregations.

Applications are still being received for future cohorts. Applications are available through the Council of Twelve and on the Web site at www.CofChrist.org/co-missioned.

The first formational retreat is December 3-5, 2004, at Lake Doniphan in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The second cohort application submission date is September 30, 2004.