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The Pastor as Leader of Witness and Invitation

Thank you! I’m ready to go again!” and “Now I am on fire to help us become a missional congregation!” Such were the hoped-for responses in the evaluations for the last educational retreat of the Co-Missioned Pastor Initiative (CPI).

The goals were to equip pastors in witnessing and inviting ministries. Bob Kyser, senior president of Seventy, inspired pastors to see themselves as “the missionary leaders who articulate the vision of a congregation engaged in God’s mission that goes beyond the congregation’s walls.”

A practical tool shared was a demographic report of a congregation’s neighborhood. USA congregations can contact their field missionary coordinator to request a report for their area by going to www.CofChrist.org/council-12.These reports do not exist for congregations outside the USA.

A highlight of the retreat was a panel of recently baptized persons who shared testimonies. To see a video, go to the Missionary Resources page at www.CofChrist.org/comissioned/newmembertestimonies.asp.

The CPI pilot is designed to discover, as President Steve Veazey stated in his April 5 address, “the most effective pastoral training, resources, and support for leading healthy congregations that engage all ages in focusing on Christ’s mission.” That vision is the goal for pastor and leadership formation.

—Jan Marshall and
Tom Mountenay reporting