Continuing Education Program in Atlanta
Diocesan Press Service. October 24, 1973 [73230]
ATLANTA, Ga. -- A part of the support system for all the clergy of the Diocese of Atlanta is a within-the-diocese continuing education program that has become a regular portion of the Commission on the Ministry's work. In 1972 thirteen clergy from the Macon/Columbus area worked through a pilot effort in which a basic design was developed. Currently 18 clergy from the East Atlanta area are engaged in a six months long endeavor that will cover studies ranging from the latest theological trends to career assessment.
This continuing effort, to include eventually all the clergy, is being led by the diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. Bennett J. Sims. Bishop Sims came to Atlanta from Virginia Seminary where he was director of the school's Continuing Education Center. In the Diocese of Atlanta he has brought his professional expertise to bear in setting up a support system for the clergy that includes the continuing education program.
Stated purpose of the annual series is: "To stimulate cognitive learning, personal development, marriage enrichment, and vocational clarity for a more fulfilling life and ministry in commitment to Jesus Christ. "
The bare bones outline of the course sets out four meetings: 1) a pre-involvement one day session, 2) a ten day group seminar -- wives included for a weekend, and 3) two report sessions held three months apart for solidifying the experience and evaluating results.
Necessarily much of the work must be done while on the job; however, at the heart of the course is the ten day group seminar which takes place at the diocesan conference center, Camp Mikell. The 1973 seminar is described as "a collegial seminar of sufficient duration and intensity to gain detachment from major responsibilities and to build trust relationships of caring, support, and interpersonal learning among peers and between husbands and wives.
Staff for the 1973-74 session are the following: the Bishop, Coordinator and Theologian; the Rev. Frank K. Allan, Assistant Coordinator and Liturgist; the Rev. Gordon Mann and the Rev. Fred McKirachan, Personal Growth Leaders; the Rev. Dr. Gerhard D. Linz and Dr. Gail Bell, Marriage Enrichment Leaders, and the Rev. John J. Porter, Career Assessment Leader.
The design of the seminar includes two or three days emphasis on each subject: theology, human relations training, marriage enrichment, and at the end career assessment. Worship and Bible study are part of the daily activities. All but the marriage enrichment are part of the design of the later two day report sessions which are scheduled for February and May of 1974.