Shaping Pastors Into Life Long Learners

The purpose of Pastor Connect Groups is to help pastors become lifelong learners in the area of leadership. PCGs provide friendship, encouragement, accountability, resources, and mutual support through prayer. Pastors are encouraged to develop leaders in their local churches by replicating connection groups for local church leaders in their own congregations. Bill Easum has said, "The only common denominator to church growth is a transformational pastor – one who doesn't mind leading, making the hard decisions and handing off ministries to others." The Mission Northwest affirms this essential truth, and it is why we are investing heavily in the development of pastors as transformational leaders. No church has experienced transformation without a transformational leader at the helm.

Harnessing the Wisdom of Christ-Centered Peer-to-Peer Learning

As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

Developing great leaders is a critical strategy for reproducing disciples.  That is why Mission Northwest is committed to leadership development.  Our network of Pastor Connect Groups (PCG) is fundamental to this effort.

Each PCG is a group of ministry peers who meet regularly for learning, encouragement, accountability, and dreaming.  The primary focus of the Pastor Connect Groups is to help ministry leaders grow in their understanding of leadership and develop their effectiveness as leaders. There is a common, core curriculum for all the groups.  Through studying, applying, and reflecting on the same information, we are developing a common language for discussing and applying fundamental leadership concepts that will help us continue the shift toward a leadership-development culture.

Pastor Connect Groups (PCG) meet eight times a year, sometimes in person for an entire day or via Zoom.  A PCG mentor pastor, or two, facilitates each group.  The mentor pastors receive training through the Region, giving significant time beyond their local church to this ministry.  The groups are open to every senior pastor in the Region.  You will want to join the Pastor Connect Group that is closest to you in terms of geography.