New Facilitators Join the ICE Staff
There are six potential groups in the formation process and ICE is pleased to introduce five outstanding new Facilitators: Alice Rogers and Phil Schroeder, United Methodists of Atlanta, Georgia; Scott Thayer, Disciples of Christ of Bethany, West Virginia; Drew Henry, Presbyterian, Birmingham, Alabama and Michael O’Bannon, United Methodist of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
New Facilitators tell about the transformation they experienced in their own peer group and their desire to pass it along to new peer groups in the future:
Alice Rogers • Atlanta, Georgia
“While the creation of the Modules allows for groups to focus on specific learning goals and experiences, what is gained through the group living and learning together is much deeper than can ever be anticipated. In our group, because we had covenanted to participate in this learning experience together, we found ourselves working hard to acknowledge, confront and move through conflicts that occurred in the group. We were committed to making our small community of faith live with integrity, honesty and intentionality. In that commitment, we learned to value the strengths of one another, to love one another in spite of our foibles, to respect the different roles we played at different times. What we learned about Christian Community may be more important than all of the skills we gained through our participation in the Modules.” — Alice Rogers, Atlanta, Georgia
Phil Schroeder • Atlanta, Georgia
“Teaching parish was a significant part of my formational experience as a pastor. Ten years ago, I was given the opportunity to serve as a teaching supervisor for Emory University’s Candler School of Theology Contextual Education and I cleared my calendar to help other students have the kind of experience that I had cherished. I was not satisfied with the Contextual Education process since the classes did not meet in the context being studied. I pushed the Faculty Supervisors with whom I co-lead to venture out into the place where the student’s ministry was taking place. Now the entire Contextual Education II program at Candler operates that way. I facilitated the successful pilot group two years ago and have continued in this program.
ICE has been a significant learning and growth opportunity for me. I am one of ICE’s biggest proponents as I constantly invite others to consider being a part of this peer based learning process. I remember the day sitting at a “churchy” continuing education event that I vowed that my further continuing education would be cross-disciplinary. ICE allowed us to encounter corporate hospitality, professional acting and storytelling in ways that fulfilled my dreams of cross-pollination.” — Phil Shroeder, Atlanta, Georgia
Drew Henry • Birmingham, Alabama
I was asked by Larry Dill to consider becoming a part of the body of peer group facilitators. I was willing to accept the invitation for a number of reasons. I value the model of learning that has been developed by the Institute for Clergy Excellence. I feel the self/group-directed learning indeed generates creative energy for the learning process. I appreciate the encouragement and support to think “outside of the box” about learning environments and resources that can enhance our ministry as pastors. I bring my experience in the Birmingham Faith and Money Group to the peer facilitation process.
I look forward to serving as a peer group facilitator, and I appreciate this invitation. I have enjoyed my participation with the Institute for Clergy Excellence, and I value the opportunity to continue this relationship. I am a life-long learner, and I commit to bringing my gifts and experiences into the facilitator role. I look forward to my involvement with both the peer group of facilitators and a future ICE peer group. — Drew Henry, Birmingham, Alabama
Scott Thayer • Bethany, West Virginia
“My experience as a part of a peer group with ICE had a transforming effect on me personally and a positive impact on the congregation I serve. My group developed a close circle of friendship as we encouraged one another and held each other accountable for the work of preaching and worship leadership. I was so favorably influenced by my experience with ICE that I am excited at the prospect of being considered as a future Facilitator. I want to be a part of a process for a new group of people, helping to guide them toward the goals that they set for themselves. I see this as a way to give back something to the ICE program.” — Scott Thayer, Bethany, West Virginia
Michael O’Bannon • Nashville, Tennessee
The independent study with a peer group, in which I recently participated was, without question, the best continuing educational experience of my professional career. The concept of a self-selected group, designing its own curriculum, and then implementing it over a period of three years was appealing to me from the onset. The time spent in putting the group together was an excellent way of forcing me to interact with other clergy. That we were inter-denominational, mixed gender, and inter-racial was even more intriguing. Finally, to be encouraged by my congregation took away some of the guilt I might otherwise have experienced. I came away from the entire experience refreshed, informed, and encouraged by having studied with a group of people who became very good friends. I am enthusiastic about participating in events that have the potential to make a lasting impact on the lives of others. — Michael O’Bannon, Nashville, Tennessee
