The Company of New Pastors
Providing Vocational Nurture for Ministry Candidates and New Pastors
Get the Program Overview Brochure
Purpose and Overview of Company of New Pastors
Company of New Pastors is a pastoral formation program that deepens and sustains the theological vocation of participants focusing on the critical period of vocational formation beginning in seminary and into the first years of ministry. Through daily prayer, daily scripture reading and regular theological reflection, Company of New Pastors helps establish and nurture habits of theological reflection and spiritual formation that supplies the energy and wisdom necessary to meet pastoral ministry’s many-faceted challenges, expectations and opportunities.
Experience tells us it is not easy for pastors who have already established patterns of pastoral practice to change deeply entrenched habits midstream. Slowly but surely, a pastor’s life of study can taper down to little more than the necessary minimum for preparing sermons and lessons, and a pastor’s life of prayer can devolve into a tool mainly used for pastoral care. Pastors often struggle in vain to pull themselves out of well worn ruts to embrace new commitments to study and prayer.
The Covenant
Company of New Pastors invites those preparing for pastoral leadership into the program and practices of The Company of Pastors. The program covenant is a rhythm of sustained study and disciplined prayer, in the regular company of colleagues.
Participants in the Company of New Pastors covenant to meet together regularly for study and corporate prayer. Between meetings they practice daily disciplines of Bible reading, prayer and study of the church’s confessional resources. These practices begin during the seminary years and continue through the end of the program (four years beyond graduation).
Drawing on the covenant of the Company of Pastors, there are four sources for daily readings: the Daily Lectionary (BCW 2-year cycle), the Psalms, The Book of Confessions (including selections from the Book of Order and the Study Catechism) and the Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study.
Company of New Pastors is a collection of mentored peer groups. Group gatherings are framed by common prayer and seasoned by table and social fellowship. Participants prepare for covenant group meetings by completing assigned reading and ordered reflection (usually some kind of writing assignment). Leaders frame agendas for gatherings, assuring that all group members share equally in leadership. Leaders also ensure that meetings stay “on task.”
Company of New Pastors has two program phases: during seminary and post seminary.
The program begins during the middle year of seminary. Faculty mentors lead monthly gatherings with groups of eight to 12 students who are inquirers or candidates within the PC(USA) ordination process. Each seminary campus group journeys together to study the ordination vows, join in table fellowship and begin incorporating the practice of daily prayer and Scripture reading. Participants are enrolled in the Company of Pastors. All seminary groups converge at the denomination’s headquarters during the fall of their senior year for a weekend gathering. The initial expenses for Company of New Pastors materials and gatherings are paid from grant funds provided by Lilly Endowment.
After seminary graduation, a national transition gathering is held in the fall. At this gathering, the process of forming regional covenant groups begins. Once groups are complete, they will meet approximately every eight months (three times every two years). Generally, these covenant group meetings will be two to three days during the week.
After the first post-graduation year, participants assume the financial responsibility for the materials and costs associated with membership. In the first year after seminary, program funds cover the costs of participation.
Study Themes
Seminary groups examine theologically, in detail, the ordination questions participants will be answering when they enter pastoral ministry. Post-graduation groups grapple with the theological foundations of the successive rubrics in the service for the Lord’s Day.
Mentoring and Spiritual Direction
Intentional mentoring and accountability are features of both seminary groups and regional covenant groups. Respective mentors are responsible to establish and maintain this dimension, which shapes group gatherings and also includes facilitating contact among group members and leaders in between gatherings.
The Office of Theology and Worship has found that leadership of regional covenant groups is crucial to the program’s success. Co-leaders model what it means to walk with colleagues in accountability and encouragement around shared disciplines that nurture a common vocation. Seminary groups are led by two PC(USA)-ordained professors or by one PC(USA)-ordained professor together with a seminary administrator (or at times a nearby pastor). Faculty mentor leadership in Company of New Pastors is rooted in the mentor’s identity as an ordained Presbyterian minister rather than an academic. Regional covenant groups are led by two experienced pastors.
Significant Group Autonomy
Particular Company of New Pastors groups determine much of their gatherings’ particular patterns and agendas. However, the essential core of the program — that it be a place where pastors in company with one another nurture their theological vocation under the guidance of wise mentors — remains consistent for all groups.
Contact information
Office fax
(502) 569-8060
Karen Russell, Program Associate
(800) 728-7228, x5401
Catherine Reuning, Administrative Assistant
(800) 728-7228, x5732
Download the Company of New Pastors program calendar
Download the fillable contact information form
Download the reimbursement form
The Company of New Pastors is a structured application of the Company of Pastors program designed specifically for seminarians as they make their transition into their first pastoral call.
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Greeting in the name of Jesus Christ. We are running Peace Gospel Mission in Paistan. Senior Pastor Mahboob Alam . Me Evangelist Adnan Micheal and Evangelist Mukhtar. We are praying with one occord. for lost sheep, demon possessed and sick preson. Actually we are living in such a area of pakistan there is not Bible college for christians. Christian cannot afford to go to othere city becase they all poor persons. We have burnig desire to teach them with a proper set. We want a Bible college in our area for them because we have no sources to do so. We requested to many ministries for this but they do not do any thing. We visited your website that's why we requested you. We hope you will do for christian. May God bless You
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AGAPE CHRISTIAN CHURCH MINISTRIES- INDIA. Dear in christ I am Pastor P.V.Ananda prasad from Andhra pradesh,India.I have 2 churches and a small orphanage home. I am working among the Hindu, poor and illiterate people in rural, slum areas. My Gospel work is to distribute the Gospel tracts, to conduct the village corner gospel meetings, hospital, jail visiting, youth, children retreat, Music etc. Here so many Hindu people are living without knowing Jesus. I had a great burden for them. I feel very happy to write this letter to you. I invite you to India please come and use for Him. I request you please pray for our ministry.. Thanking you, Yours In His service Pastor P.V.Ananda prasad,India. www.agapechristianchurch.webs.com..