Auburn Theological Seminary
Working closely with Auburn Theological Seminary's Coaching Institute, CYN organizes Pastoral Coaching Groups to provide regular and reliable feedback and evaluation to strengthen pastors as leaders who can navigate and thrive in the murky waters and turbulence occasioned CYN and consequent deliberate congregational transformation. Coaching will develop and undergird pastors with a greater resilience for shepherding local churches already struggling through the stresses of cultural conflicts and institutional transitions. If our congregations are going to catch up with the society they are called to serve in, pastors need and deserve this much support.

Coaching Conferences
Pastors will be gathered in groups of 6 to work with a trained pastoral coach while their congregations are participating in CYN. These coaching groups will meet in Binghamton, NY on the Saturdays of the CYN Fishing Schools in October and February and then for the overnite at the June CYN gathering at Silver Bay on Lake George.

In between these face to face gatherings, each pastoral coaching support group will have four coaching conference calls (Nov./Dec., Jan., March/April, May). These calls will multiply the feedback with which pastors can begin to hone and develop their leadership skills.

In their confidential work together with the coach, pastors will be helped to:

• clarify leadership styles, visions, and objectives in their congregational settings and professional lives
• develop more effective responses and strategies in their ministries as well as for meeting institutional and personal goals
• fine-tune communication, decision-making and other basic competency skills
• translate their ministry values and mission goals into effective practice
• prioritize tasks as well as manage leadership functions, time and relationships
• learn techniques for self-differentiation, stress management and self care
• thrive in light of both the stresses and rewards of helping move their congregations into the future