Now Enrolling: Mini-Roundtable

 

You’re invited to join: Clergy Leadership Mini-Roundtables

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What is a roundtable? It’s a dynamic format for group learning. Different from an online course or a support group, the roundtable has elements of both, and is designed to generate your best thinking about your ministry and that of your colleagues.

The roundtable meets virtually via Zoom video conference calling. Groups are made up of 4-5 people and all are senior ministers. A roundtable provides accountability and encouragement and can often lead to breakthroughs in ministry, faith and in life.

 

For more accountability, action, and yes, support

A roundtable provides accountability and encouragement for its members. Members each have an opportunity to brainstorm solutions to someone else’s challenges and receive feedback and ideas on their own. Often, participants find roundtables help them plan better and follow-through on making their dreams a reality. While it’s not a “support group” per se, members DO receive encouragement and support from their colleagues.

With real results that improve your life, ministry, and congregation

Roundtable groups are known to catapult results in its members, which is why they are so common in the business world. Yet their power takes on a whole new level when ministerial leaders gather to diligently focus on improving their lives and their churches. This roundtable will help you:

  • Solve (or at least manage) ministry problems, so that you feel less burdened day to day.
  • Learn new approaches to ongoing and unexpected challenges so that you know what to do next.
  • Connect with mature and motivated colleagues so you have a sense of increased support in your ministry.
  • Stay on track with ministry and personal goals, despite all the distractions and to-dos so you can make progress.

And deep relationships with colleagues

Your select group will have four or five seasoned ministers like you who have been vetted through an application process. During the roundtable, our group conversations around immediate questions, needs, or challenges, bring us together with a clear focus on understanding and addressing unique situations. During each session, one member has an opportunity to present a specific situation they want support, brainstorming, and feedback on from the group. You will find yourself more deeply connected than you thought possible in a virtual group.

Clergy Leadership Mini-Roundtable

I’m finding Leadership Roundtable with Margaret Marcuson is a great way to bring the wisdom of systems theory into my local ministry context. I benefit from participating in workshops, but this option lets me engage a conversation where I work, so there’s no question about the relevance of the conversation in my home setting.

— The Rev. Randall Day
Rector, St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a session really look like?
That’s a great question, and instead of trying to write it out – I’d rather show you! Check out this mini-session with some amazing colleagues.

What if I have to miss a meeting?
If you have to miss one of the meetings out of the six, you can schedule a 30-minute individual session with me.

How are you defining an “Experienced Minister?”
A minister who’s been leading for at least 10 years.

What topics are we going to discuss?
Each session I’ll share briefly some of my best ideas on church leadership, money, ministry relationships, productivity, personal growth and communication. Then we’ll discuss the topics that YOU find most relevant as you share what’s up in your ministry and where you need thoughtful support. I’ll bring a systems perspective to my teaching and coaching you through your case.

Is there homework?
I’ll suggest a brief reading from the book Leadership in Ministry before each session. If you are presenting a case you will need to send out one page describing it at least one day before our meeting. I’ll give you a format to use. For the rest of the group, you will need to read the case before we meet.

Can you ensure confidentiality?
I will ask each group member to make a commitment to confidentiality before the groups begin. I cannot guarantee confidentiality because this is a virtual group with multiple members in the group. Sharing inside the group is encouraged and each individual is in control of what they feel comfortable sharing.  

Do we get a recording of the groups?
I will record the case study portion of the group and share it with the individual who presented the case. This way, as you’re discussing your situation, you can stay present and don’t have to worry about taking notes or writing down all the ideas. 

What’s the application process like?
It’s an online form that asks a few questions about your ministry context, your hopes for your ministry and what you want to get from the group. From there, you’ll schedule a time to talk with me where I review the details and you get to ask any questions. We’ll each get a feel for each other to make sure it’s a good fit.

Join the transformative Clergy Leadership Roundtable for just $350! 

Small groups have the potential to be really helpful, or just a waste of time.   Time spent with Margaret Marcuson as a facilitator is never time wasted.  She creates a small group environment that allows for personal growth and self-discovery, while moving towards your ministerial goals.  As a member of her small group, I’ve personally benefitted from that environment, her cogent insights, and though she never offers advice, have been often challenged by her, “What ifs?”  Being a part of her small group has changed my thinking and my ministry for the better.  Thanks, Margaret. — Jon Singer, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Hyannis, MA