Now in its seventh year, S3 offers small, self-selected groups of pastors the opportunity to design and participate in group learning projects that strengthen their practice of ministry. Groups are selected annually by application and receive some financial support for their projects. Participating groups also attend two retreats on the Columbia campus in Decatur, Ga.: one for orientation and a follow-up during which groups report and reflect on individual project outcomes.
S3 applications for new group projects will be available at www.ctsnet.edu in April.
The project began in 2003, funded by a $1.2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment. During the past six years, 272 individuals (44 groups) have participated. Ninety percent were active clergy averaging 15 years of active service in various forms of ministry. The average age was 45; the male/female ratio, 6:4. Twenty seven percent were Columbia alumni/ae. The remainder represented 49 different seminaries.
Nineteen different denominations were represented, among them Presbyterian (65 percent), United Methodist (13 percent), Baptist (nine percent), and Episcopal (three percent). Also represented were leaders of the Antiochan Greek Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Jewish faith, the Pentecostal Church, and the Metropolitan Community Church.
The project has been fully subscribed since its beginning with more groups making application than could be accommodated. It has had a 99 percent retention rate. All 44 groups completed their two-year learning projects, with only three of the 272 individuals not continuing through the duration of their group’s projects.
