Spiritual Formation

Jesus Christ cares more about each person’s individual heart above what he or she can produce for the Kingdom. Ministry Leaders seek to be a reservoir of God’s abundant grace, sharing only in excess from the overflow, rather than a channel reserving nothing for oneself. A Ministry Leader must never allow their ministry to distract them from the work of personal discipleship and their own relationship with the Father.

Human Formation

The work of ministry can be quite demanding. In order to sustain longevity in working for the Church, Ministry Leaders need to devote aggressive attention to the needs of their person: dedication to their primary vocation; healthy and life-giving relationships with others; care of their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

Intellectual Formation

Curiosity and a hunger for knowledge ensures the Ministry Leader continues to uphold the importance of the truth which we communicate in light of the Gospel. While particular attention needs to be given to the study of Theology, Scripture, and the Sacraments, it is also beneficial to invest in interdisciplinary studies that can be applied to the ministry setting.

Operational Formation

The work of ministry is aided by efficiency tools, standard operating procedures, and organizational systems. When employed properly, these ministry aids allow Ministry Leaders more space for creativity and more time for relationship-building. Attention to the operational components of ministry can eliminate the energy spent on routine tasks, the burden of managing paperwork, and the too-common drama of a job done without proper care.

Pastoral Formation

The Good Shepherd has entrusted Ministry Leaders with the souls within their ministries. In the Spirit of Christ, Ministry Leaders are to approach those with whom they minister with an attitude of reverence for the sacred that dwells within each person. Ministry Leaders are to know their people and communities well in order to best respond to their needs with the love of the Gospel.

Methodological Formation

The Church is challenged to keep pace with a rapidly changing society. While there is timeless simplicity and fruitfulness in the Biblical principles left to us by Christ, there is a necessity that our ministries remain audaciously creative and innovative in developing methodologies that can deliver the Gospel in effective ways. All methodologies aim at communicating the love of Jesus and fostering discipleship.