Baptist Union of Victoria > Training and Events > A Community of Practice

A Community of Practice
for Pastors 2024

Developing Leaders who Develop Leaders

…  a joint initiative, in partnership with Partners in Ministry (PIM)

One year of excellent leadership training in community to permanently impact a pastor’s ministry trajectory by –

  • Working with a group of 8-10 other Baptist pastors to facilitate growing as healthy pastors leading healthy churches and developing healthy leaders who develop healthy leaders.
  • Nurturing and growing leadership skills, abilities, and gifts for decades of fruitful ministry.
  • Encouraging self-care to impact longevity in vocation pastoral leadership.
  • Leading and developing others as they walk closer with Jesus.

The Pathway and Components for the Year

  • Preparation for retreat – Completion of 360 Leadership Practices Inventory by people who work with you or who are part of your network.
  • Overnight Retreat – 4 pm Feb 18 -3 pm Feb 19, 2024, with a focus on leadership formation, developing as an authentic leader and receiving individual 360-degree feedback.
  • Five Bimonthly Gatherings from 9.00 am-4.00 pm on Mondays, April 15, June 3, August 5, October 7, and December 2 with key input on leadership, developing leaders, living missionally, curating a discipleship culture, as well as time for group conversation and peer mentoring on an individual’s contextual leadership challenges
  • Six Individual one-on-one coaching/supervision sessions with a trained supervisor from Partners in Ministry or BUV to review, contextualize, troubleshoot, and implement.

Note: Participation in a Community of Practice contributes well to fulfilling the following aspects of the Accreditation requirements – 10 hours per year of personal support and accountability, 10 hours per year of collegial support and accountability, 40 hours per year of pastoral development , and 5 sessions of professional pastoral supervision.

The Facilitators – Bill Brown and Kimberly Smith from BUV and John Jeffries from Partners in Ministry with other input from experienced leaders from within BUV and the PIM team of coaches with experience and expertise in a wide variety of ministry contexts – see website partnersinministry.com 

The Outcome

A growing number of pastors –

  • whose individual leadership has been strengthened with character development, tools, and skills which will serve them well for decades of future ministry.
  • who have been enabled to effectively develop leaders who develop leaders.
  • having received individual 360-degree feedback to identify strengths and ‘blind spots’ and tools that will enable them to respond to their ‘blind spots’ and facilitate growth where needed.
  • less likely to be impacted by stress and burnout and better equipped for greater longevity in ministry.
  • who have bonded with others who will be able to provide mutual support in their future ministry.
  • well placed to bring strong impact to their local church, local community, and the global community.

The Cost

One-year full programme – $1,800 invoiced quarterly by PIM i.e., $450/quarter                 

Interested?  Contact Bill Brown at bill.brown@buv.com.au or 0407821784

Testimonials from past Community of Practice participants

  • I have found Community of Practice to be a terrific opportunity to learn, grow, think, and laugh about the various aspects of pastoral ministry. To be together with a group who share similar challenges and be able to learn from one another helps to encourage and spur one another on toward good ministry and leadership. I have found the content helpful and stimulating, making me think about how I approach pastoral ministry in a more intentional and thoughtful way. But more than this, the collegial relationships that have been built through this group have enabled me to learn more about how others approach pastoral leadership and know there are others I can call upon for help and wisdom. 

    Jon Coombs
    Lead Pastor, Mooroolbark Baptist

  • The past few years of ministry have pushed and pulled me in many directions. Being a part of a Community of Practice with a cohort of Senior Pastors has been an enriching experience that has helped shape me as a leader. I recommend this learning environment for anyone who wants to improve their leadership edge for pastoral ministry. It will have a transformative impact on your life.

    Dave Lovell
    Senior Pastor of Bendigo Baptist

  • The Community of Practice has been a gift to me both professionally and personally. The openness of a shared learning community of peers partnered with excellent external trainers across diverse and relevant fields has been empowering and encouraging in challenging times.

    Andrew Harris
    Senior Pastor of Croydon Hills Baptist

  • I joined the ‘Community of Practice’ cohort this year with fairly low expectations but knew I needed something more in the area of Personal Development this year so decided to give it a shot. I am VERY glad I did! The gatherings with other pastors navigating similar challenges provided encouragement that I was not alone in the things I was facing. The personal coaching sessions with John Jeffries were a massive encouragement and answer to prayer!

    Stan Richey
    Senior Pastor of Werribee Baptist

  • Over the years there have been many ways that I have sought input into my leadership skills, podcasts, books, and master classes. This year, I decided to make the ‘Community of Practice’ my leadership learning activity. What I have appreciated the most has been that the learning has taken place in the context of a cohort of other pastoral leaders; there is an immediate relevance to the discussions. Also, Kimberly, John, and Bill are relationally invested, not only in the success of our ministries but in our personal well-being as well.

    Paul Huglin
    Pastor of West Preston Baptist

  • It has been an enriching experience for me to share a space with other seasoned Church leaders where we are regularly opening up and prayerfully considering deeper topics that are impacting our leadership, our churches, our own families, and our lives. Being a part of the community of practice has provided me with insights from others, time to reflect and ask my questions, friendships with other Church leaders, and encouragement to persevere in joy where I am serving. If you find yourself lacking in any of these areas I encourage you to make the time to be a part of the community of practice. 

    Oliver Crispin
    Pastor of The Vine-Hurstbridge