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Minute for Mission: Auburn University
 Chris Garrison, a pastor at Brunswick Church, talks with other church leaders in the congregation’s new worship center.
Brunswick Presbyterian Church in Troy, New York, an evangelical congregation with a deep commitment to a team-based ministry of all believers, has built a beautiful new worship center for its expanding ministries. One of three pastors in this vibrant congregation, Christopher Garrison wanted more skills for his evolving role as overseer of staff and volunteers.
He decided to attend the Coaching Institute at Auburn Seminary, offered every year for church leaders. At the Institute, Chris and thirty colleagues heard from experienced coaches. Like the young Jesus in today’s Gospel, they “listened to the teachers and asked them questions.” Then they practiced coaching methods. Back at home, Chris brought the methods and insights of coaching to Brunswick Church. As a member of Albany Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry, he became part of a team to use a coaching approach in work with congregations. All the while, the Institute provided him with a personal coach to help him set and meet his own goals. “Coaching makes a lot of sense,” says Chris, “given our values at Brunswick. I think of myself as a partner in ministry rather than a boss or supervisor. I want to learn to support strengths, address weaknesses, and work with different personalities. Coaching does all of that.” Auburn sees itself as a partner in ministry with pastors like Chris who participate in the seminary’s educational mission: strengthening religious leaders to meet contemporary challenges.
Barbara G. Wheeler, president, Auburn Theological Seminary
Gracious God, you have called men and women alike, young and old together, to lead your people in the paths of faithfulness. Uphold our deacons, elders, and pastors; teach them to listen to your word and to do your will; remind us to thank them; and help us to praise and thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, who guides and strengthens all of us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
1 Sam. 2:18–20, 26
How Happy Is Each Child of God
PH 239
A Mother Lined a Basket
STF 2189
Ps. 148
All Creatures of Our God and King
PH 455, HB 100, WB 282
Col. 3:12–17
He Came Down
STF 2085
Luke 2:41–52
What Child Is This
PH 53, HB 159, WB 630
Daily Lectionary
Ps. 34, 150 Ps. 19, 121
1 Sam. 1:1–2, 7b–28
Col. 1:9–20; Luke 2:22–40 |
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