Here’s a quote from author and theologian Anthony Padovano that has helped me through personal and professional turbulence. It’s copied here from a poster I saw.
“There is a great deal of difference between loss, change, and transformation.
A loss is a step backward; a change is an opportunity; a transformation is a step forward.
The common denominator of these three realities is the fact that one must give up something.
It is possible for both loss and change to lead to transformation, but it is not possible for transformation to occur unless something is lost and something is changed."
The Lifelong Learning Office of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary publishes this blog to create and nurture a community of lifelong learners for leadership that transforms the church and the world, to invite members of that community to participate in the Lifelong Learning Programs sponsored by LPTS, to encourage formation of smaller learning communities and study groups, and to alert members to learning experiences available at other venues.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Stories of Doctor of Ministry Graduates
As I watched the commencement exercises this past Sunday, I was remembering the stories of some of the Doctor of Ministry graduates. The first few posts will be stories of hope and inspiration from recent graduates, for those who might consider a doctor of ministry program.
Rollin Tarter "Equipping a Middle Governing Body to Minister to Impaired Pastors and their Congregations."
The first graduate in LPTS’s Interim Ministry Track introduced in 2003, Rollin Tarter enhanced his theological reflection and practice in his unique ministry context. His presbytery was in a transition time between executive presbyters, and the presbytery committee on ministry was ready to examine its roles. Rollin happened to serve on two key transitional committees at that very time, and he was able to help develop a theologically rich process of care and nurturance for pastors and congregations, particularly following experience of clergy disability.
Bonnie MacDonald "Responding to Clergy Sexual Misconduct: Facilitating Congregational Healing and Restoration"
Although progress in her D. Min. program was interrupted by unexpected personal and professional challenges, Bonnie persevered. Every few months we would meet for lunch and work through her plans for next steps: an independent study in Wesleyan theology (she’s United Methodist), an independent study in a systemic perspective on congregations following clergy misconduct, and her plans for her learning project. When her project was about three quarters done, it became impractical to complete her project as originally planned due to personnel shifts in her judicatory, so at lunch we worked out an adaptation that was equally valid. She had prepared a handbook for a judicatory process for helping congregations through the trauma and healing after misconduct. Instead of being able to install it in her conference at this point, she shifted to an evaluation of the handbook by national experts in the field. The result is a very fine and carefully crafted learning project and report.
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