{"id":103671,"date":"2025-05-14T10:52:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T10:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/crcc\/?p=103671"},"modified":"2026-03-16T14:43:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T21:43:35","slug":"flourishing-in-ministry-program-offers-coaching-to-socal-pastors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/crcc\/flourishing-in-ministry-program-offers-coaching-to-socal-pastors\/","title":{"rendered":"Flourishing in Ministry Program Offers Coaching to SoCal Pastors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Flourishing in Ministry Program Offers Coaching to SoCal Pastors<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n May 14, 2025<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Pastoring a church can be fulfilling work \u2014 and it also can be demanding. Faith leaders often feel a divine call to accompany individuals on their spiritual and personal journeys. At the same time, workload, conflict and criticism can erode a pastor\u2019s wellbeing.<\/p>\n

The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture is pleased to be partnering with the Rosemead School of Psychology\u2019s\u00a0Mental Health and the Church Initiative<\/a> to provide coaching to 100 senior pastors through the Flourishing in Ministry program.\"the<\/p>\n

\u201cGod\u2019s original design and intent in creation was for everyone, including ministry leaders, to holistically flourish in relationship with God, other people and in our work,\u201d said Rev. Chris Adams, Ph.D., a pastor and psychologist, as well as executive director of the initiative at Rosemead. \u201cFlourishing in our vocation is central to our identity in Christ, and no one lives out their lives and work as a calling more than ministry leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Senior Pastors: Click here to express interest in the coaching program<\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

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The Program<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While the stresses of pastoring can lead to physical illness, burnout, anxiety and even depression, research shows that\u00a0preventative and even proactive steps<\/strong>\u00a0can lead to greater personal and ministry flourishing.<\/p>\n

Through the project, pastors will receive group and individual coaching from a certified Flourishing in Ministry coach over the course of 10 weeks, with a time commitment of 90 minutes each week.\u00a0Flourishing in Ministry coaches will facilitate a process of self-discovery,<\/strong>\u00a0oriented to the present and future.<\/p>\n

It is not professional counseling, and coaches will not provide explicit psychological advice.<\/p>\n

\u201cFlourishing in Ministry works with you as a fellow traveler<\/strong>,\u201d says Bishop Kenneth Ulmer, pastor emeritus of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, CA. \u201cNot walking backward with you into the past, seeking hurts and brokenness to be healed; not above you as an expert in a given field, helping you become a mini version of them; not even walking ahead of you, leading into some prophetic revelation or image. They will walk with you encouraging, assisting and enabling you to release all that God has ordained and called you to.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Senior Pastors: Click here to express interest in the coaching program<\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n

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A Model of Wellbeing<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"FlourishingThrough more than 10 years of scientific research with 20,000 pastors, the Mental Health and the Church Initiative has produced a new model of what flourishing in ministry looks like. Daily wellbeing, resilience, thriving, authenticity and a healthy relational ecosystem are five key dimensions for flourishing in ministry.<\/p>\n

Within each dimension, practices that are grounded in Christian spiritual disciplines boost pastors\u2019 wellbeing. Small steps done frequently and consistently, and in community, make a huge difference over time. Positive wellbeing accumulates.<\/p>\n

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Watch Webinar on Flourishing in Ministry<\/h2>\n