Transitional Ministry Education
The Transitional Ministry Education will be May 12-16, 2025. The in-person program will be hosted at the Mercy Conference and Retreat Center in Saint Louis, Missouri (2039 N. Geyer Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63131.) Orientation will be Monday, May 12 at lunchtime. Program fee is $1,100 (includes lodging and meals.)
About
The Art of Transitional Ministry:
Week I - Introduction to Transitional Ministry
Week II - The Practice of Transitional Ministry
We live in a time of great transition in our churches and culture. Transitional Ministry Education is not limited to those presently engaged in or inquiring about the nature of transitional ministry. Anyone interested in learning about transitions in ministry is welcome to apply.
Basic Transitional Ministry Education consists of 60 contact hours plus a practicum. The contact hours are divided equally between two residency weeks: Week I (30 hours) and Week II (30 hours), separated by a practicum that combines reflection on, and experience in, some aspect of interim/transitional ministry.
The Mid America/Lincoln Trails (MALT) "Art of Transitional Ministry" training offers education for both Weeks I & II. Participants must complete both Residency Week I and all practicum assignments before taking part in Residency Week II. Those who complete the first week of basic education at another site must complete all MALT practicum assignments prior to attending Residency Week II.
If you desire to receive a Statement of Completion for any of the training programs offered, you must actively participate in all sessions in their entirety (30 hours for Weeks I and II).
LODGING
Lodging will be at the Mercy Conference and Retreat Center. Participants can expect simple yet comfortable retreat-style accommodations in a suburban neighborhood with lush grounds for outdoor exercise and contemplation.
Check-in will begin at 10:00am on Monday, May 12. Participants must check out of their rooms by 9:00am on Friday, May 16. Please schedule your return flights to depart after 1:00pm on Friday, May 16. If you are arriving to St Louis via plane or train, please arrange transportation to and from Mercy Center (i.e. Uber or Lyft.)
Persons needing to arrive in the St. Louis area on Sunday, May 11 due to flight or train schedules should indicate this on their registration and plan on checking in no earlier than 3:00pm or later than 7:30pm.
Spouses, while welcome, will be charged the full program rate for lodging and meals even if they are not participating in the training.
MEALS
Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be available at Mercy Center during the week. All meals will be served buffet style. Persons with specific dietary restrictions or requirements MUST make those known during registration. The food staff does an excellent job of accommodating specific needs.
For persons arriving on Sunday, May 11, please note that no dinner will be served at Mercy Center that evening, and dinner will be on your own. Breakfast at 7:30am on Monday will be reserved for early check-ins.
Wednesday dinner will be on your own and offers participants an opportunity to experience the St. Louis dining and nightlife scene at their leisure. Participants not willing to venture off-campus on Wednesday evening may arrange to dine at Mercy Center by prior reservation.
Staff
The Art of Transitional Ministry programs engage in Equipping Church Leaders for Ministry on the Edge. Both active and retired pastors and mid council executives experienced in Transitional Ministry provide educational training for pastors and elders interested in Transitional Ministry. All of the staff members have years of experience (in some cases, decades!) in transitional ministry settings as interim or transitional pastors, associate pastors, or interim/transitional mid-council and governing body executive staff.
Rev. Dr. Tassie Green joined the MALT faculty in 2019 and serves as the team leader. Tassie has served congregations from 70-4000 members. She is currently Interim Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian in Evanston, IL, an historic, 550-member congregation on Chicago's Northshore. She has served 7 other interim roles and worked for the Presbytery of Chicago as a trainer and coach, plus served large congregations in Hinsdale, Indianapolis, and Philly as installed associate pastor for families.
Rev. Gail Doering joined MALT faculty in fall 2021. Gail has served in 7 different transitional calls ranging from small solo pastorates, associate pastor in large multi-staff setting, head of staff of a medium sized church supervising one other pastor and was the Transitional Executive Leader of the Presbytery of Southern Kansas. Since preparation for ministry, she also has experience in or with 4 different Presbyteries.
Rev. Dr. Barbara Wilson is also on the Montreat faculty. Barbara is the Associate Executive Presbyter, Chicago Presbytery. Barbara is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), International Coaching Federation (ICF), a trained practitioner of presencing (Theory U) and ToP Facilitation Methods. She is an adjunct professor, and master trainer of ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Interface and Trauma-Informed for Faith Communities curricula. She is a Qualified Administrator (QA) for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), Healthy Congregations Facilitator and Transitional/Interim Ministry Instructor. She has 13+ years of investigative experience in the federal criminal justice and child welfare systems and 26+ years in pastoral ministry as an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC).
Rev. Mason Todd has been an ordained minister of word and sacrament for 12 years. A graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary (Charlotte Campus), he has served congregations all over the United States. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and an avid Gamecock fan. He is currently serving in his third transitional ministry position at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Lexington, NC.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Transitional Training?
Transitional Ministry Education is intended for those presently engaged in or inquiring about the nature of transitional ministry. This includes Temporary Transitional Ministry positions; which may include interim ministry, designated ministry, other temporary ministries, or Installed Transitional Ministry which includes all other parish ministry positions.
Does this training qualify for continuing education credit?
We offer a full thirty (30) hours of instruction for Weeks I and II, and twenty hours for Executive training. If you desire to receive a Statement of Completion for this event, you must actively participate in all sessions in their entirety (30 hours - Weeks I and II).
I have a funeral. Can I arrive late or leave early if necessary?
The answer is no. If you are planning to get a certificate of completion, that requires 30 contact hours of education. Please arrange for coverage to address any pastoral emergencies that may arise during your time away.
What is the refund policy for the program fee?
Until Wednesday, March 12, 2025 a 100% refund
Until Friday, April 11, 2025 a 50% refund
As of Saturday, April 12, 2025 no refund
In the event the programs cannot be held in-person for any reason, the program fee will remain the same and registrants will be contacted with information about rescheduling and virtual options.
For more information please contact Ms. Orlandra Brown, Administrative Assistant at office@synodma.org or call (913) 608-7662. Thank you!