Building upon the momentum and success of its inaugural Conversation on Pastoral Formation on Sept. 25, the Company of New Pastors (CNP) has announced details of the second event in its ongoing series designed to expand the reach and scope of the popular transition-into-ministry program.
CNP’s Conversations on Pastoral Formation — which are geared toward a broad audience of pastors, congregational leaders, presbytery staff members and other church leaders — focus on pastoral leadership and identity in a changing church landscape.
The second conversation — to be jointly hosted by CNP and the Church Planting Initiative of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary on Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m. — will feature a keynote address by the Rev. Joseph Small, retired director of Theology, Worship, and Education for the PC(USA). The conversation, which is open to the public free of charge, will be held on the seminary campus at 616 N. Highland Ave.
Small’s presentation, entitled “When I Was a Babe in the Woods, I Read Books,” will be followed by information and dialogue around the core Presbyterian theological identity of grace and gratitude.
“It makes perfect sense for Joe Small to address pastoral formation in the context of Company of New Pastors,” said the Rev. Karen Russell, CNP coordinator. “During his tenure as director of theology and worship, Joe made CNP possible and laid the groundwork for the program’s success. Joe is also a Distinguished Alumnus of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, so the location is perfect as well.”
Company of New Pastors (CNP) is a transition-into-ministry program which focuses on pastoral formation of new seminary graduates through spiritual disciplines and mentored peer groups. The program, which has been part of the office of Theology and Worship since its inception, currently has over 800 current and former participants and mentors.
For more information on CNP, contact Karen Russell by email or telephone at (502) 569-5401.