CPI pastors Jonathan Coit and Paul Bennetts participate in the week-long Cohort III event held at Olive Branch Inn and the Temple.

Learners and Leaders of the Church

Twenty-two Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative participants came together February 3–8 at the Olive Branch Inn and the Temple in Independence, Missouri. “The Pastor as Skill Learner and Leader of Sending/Serving Ministries” was the weeklong theme. CPI participants have partnered with the World Church to increase the health and vitality of their individual congregations.

Classes throughout the week gave CPI pastors insight as they thought of ways to create congregational budgets, calendars, and pastoral teams; recruit volunteers; deal with legal, fiscal, and diversity issues; pursue neighborhood betterment; plan and conduct business meetings; process priesthood calls; and much more. CPI pastors “reach people where they are. People come to God in different ways,” said Greg Bassett, Grandview, Missouri.

CPI pastors had the opportunity to talk with World Church leaders, chat with church historian Mark Scherer, and participate in open forums. “To be a successful leader, you have to pray and listen and be a courageous leader and let your congregation do the servant ministry they are called to,” said Jammie Apodaca.

—Patty Wilson and Tom Anderson reporting