{"id":35921,"date":"2017-11-30T09:09:19","date_gmt":"2017-11-30T14:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=35921"},"modified":"2017-11-30T12:55:58","modified_gmt":"2017-11-30T17:55:58","slug":"emu-school-leadership-training-broken-vessels-thriving-pastor-slated-january","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2017\/emu-school-leadership-training-broken-vessels-thriving-pastor-slated-january\/","title":{"rendered":"Seminary’s School for Leadership Training \u2018Broken Vessels, Thriving Pastor\u2019 slated for January"},"content":{"rendered":"

The ministry model of clay jars can take several twists: Are ministers cracked pots? Crackpots? Broken vessels? Is their work \u2013 to use another Biblical metaphor \u2013 but the sowing of grains of wheat that fall into the earth and die?<\/span><\/p>\n

Proclaiming God incarnate even in brokenness \u2013 within themselves, in their congregations and neighborhoods, and nationally \u2013 is no small task for pastors. Eastern Mennonite Seminary\u2019s <\/span>2018 School for Leadership Training<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(SLT) participants will explore themes of thriving and succeeding in ministry even in the context of so much reason to lose heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Jan. 15-17 training \u201cBroken Vessels, Thriving Pastor\u201d will feature <\/span>keynote speakers<\/span><\/a> Iris de Le\u00f3n-Hartshorn, The Reverend Meredith McNabb, and an alumni panel. Seminars will feature a Charlottesville, Virginia, pastor who confronted the \u201cUnite the Right\u201d rally in August, a personal leadership coach, and various EMS faculty.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNone of us is free from brokenness,\u201d said <\/span>Les Horning<\/span><\/a>, director of seminary admissions and SLT coordinator. \u201cAnd not one of our congregations and communities is exempt, either. The question is, \u2018How can we recognize and act in the extraordinary power of God wherever and whoever we are?\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In her keynote address \u201cBridges crossed, lessons learned: My journey in leadership,\u201d Hartshorn will use her own life story as an invitation to face brokenness \u201cas an integral aspect of finding one\u2019s place as a leader.\u201d Hartshorn is the director of transformative peacemaking for Mennonite Church USA and a leader in racial and gender justice in the church.<\/span><\/p>\n

A panel of alumni will present the second keynote address, \u201cThriving and brokenness on the front lines.\u201d It will feature reflections on the challenges and joys in ministry contexts ranging from rural western plains to urban streets. Panelists will include:<\/span><\/p>\n