Continuing Education

Bishop’s Theological Conference

The Bishop’s Theological Conference is typically held in early to mid-October outside of the Twin Cities as a time for active rostered leaders to connect, relax and learn. Outside speakers lead us in topical and text studies for this multi-day event.

Ministeriums

The synod offers both spring and fall ministeriums for rostered leaders to gather for education and worship. Click here to view photos from our 2022 Spring Ministerium, held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Roseville. The fall ministerium is typically held in conjunction with the Minneapolis Area Synod. Click here for photos from our 2022 Fall Ministerium at Luther Seminary.

First Call Theological Education

For rostered leaders in the ELCA, First Call Theological Education (FCTE) is mandatory for the first three years. Our program seeks to encourage a balance between the development of peer and mentor relationships, a life of engagement in the synod and wider church, and a habit of lifelong learning. Participants, ministry sites and the synod sign a covenant to demonstrate our mutual commitment to your becoming a healthy, sustainable leader in the ELCA. Hear how FCTC has impacted the ministry of one recent participant. 

Lilly Grant Cohorts

In 2019, the synod applied for and was awarded a $375,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Thriving in Ministry Initiative. Our grant, “From the Center Outward,” is based on the idea that the healthiest, most sustainable ministry starts within. The grant will support new learning opportunities for the next five years. These cohorts include:

• Second Act Cohort – for rostered ministers in years four through 10 of public ministry
• Kubernesis Seminar – for rostered ministers who have gifts or interest in senior/executive leadership
• Leaders of Color Cohort – for rostered ministers who are persons of color

Learn more.

Boundaries Workshops & Book Groups

Boundaries education is required for all rostered ministers in the Saint Paul Area Synod at least once every five years. The initial day-long training includes foundational understandings of boundaries and power along with conversation on harassment, self-care, and the synod’s updated sexual misconduct policy.

Those who have previously participated in a Boundaries Workshop in our synod may renew their training requirement by participating in a Boundaries Book Group. Participants study The Integrity of the Body of Christ: Boundary Keeping as Shared Responsibility by Arden Mahlberg and Craig Nessen. Pre-reading and attendance at two meetings are necessary to meet the requirement.

Learning Cohorts for Rostered Ministers

As a metro area synod, we have many opportunities to gather, and we do so often. But, however valuable a one-day workshop can be, a life in ministry is also replete with questions and demanded skills that need more time to develop. To help address this need, we offer several sustained small group studies of a critical question or aspect of ministry, designed to teach us and help us live further into our callings. The topics change frequently and we strive to offer opportunities for our leaders to learn with and from one another under the guidance of exceptional facilitators. Many of our learning cohorts are subsidized by the synod, a reflection of our commitment to providing ongoing access to the wealth of experience and resources already present in the Twin Cities.

Past cohort topics have included pastoral care for mental health, becoming an effective supervisor, stewardship, contemplative practices, reading women theologians, conflict and resilience, consensus building and more.