The Company of Pastors

The Company of Pastors is open to all ministers, commissioned lay pastors and Christian educators. Those who join The Company commit themselves to daily disciplines of prayer, reading of Scripture and the Book of Confessions. Members also agree to be part of a book subscription program through which they will, on a quarterly basis, buy and read selected books of theological significance for pastors. As well, they will receive a subscription to The Register of the Company of Pastors, a journal of theology written by and for pastors.

In Good Company

For the past ten years the Office of Theology and Worship has sponsored The Company of Pastors, a multi-faceted initiative to offer ongoing encouragement and strength for pastors amid the rough and tumble of ministry. Key features of the Company covenant include daily prayer, daily readings from Scriptures and our confessions, and regular engagement with fellow pastors in prayer and discussion of significant theological texts. These texts include Theology and Worship's Church Issues and Occasional Papers series, our semiannual journal The Register of the Company of Pastors, and three significant books we select and ship to members for reading and discussion — the current book in that series is Eugene Peterson's Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places. 

The Company of New Pastors

While the spiritual disciplines of the Company are beneficial by themselves, the Company is incomplete if there is not a component of at least two or three gathering together regularly for discussion of the texts, and mutual encouragement with prayer. Our Company of New Pastors program has been implemented to address this need by establishing covenant groups of candidates and new pastors who meet regularly for study, prayer, and mutual encouragement and admonition, under the guidance of pastor mentors who embody the graces of faithful, fruitful, and fulfilling ministry. Participants in this initiative have been consistently enthusiastic in reporting the benefits they have received; later this month we will post some of their reports.  

Last year, we sought to expand possibilities for corporate engagement of all Company members with the implementation of a members-only Web site that includes a large number of valuable resources — but that is not a substitute for "face time" with friends in ministry. Recently we have prepared a set of guidelines for regular gatherings face to face with fellow-pastors in communities and presbyteries, and encourage members of the Company and non-members alike to consider engaging each other in mutual encouragement and admonition following this general pattern. Contact Catherine Reuning if you would like to discuss implementing this sort of initiative in your area.