While they were talking and discussing,
Jesus himself came near and went with them…
– Luke 24:15
Part Time Pastor; Full Time Church exists as a ministry of the Church of the Brethren to engage and empower Multi-Vocational Pastors (MVPs) throughout our denomination. We seek to empower MVPs to nurture strong Peer relationships with others and to develop healthy physical, emotional, and spiritual Practices to sustain them in their ministry. MVPs with strong peer relationships and healthy practices are intimately connected to God’s Purpose for their ministry, enabling both pastor and congregation to thrive in their neighborhood and beyond.
Connect with our Circuit Riders
The Resilience Report – Center for Transforming Engagement
See Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church videos
Upcoming events
Two Hats One Heart Webinar
October 9,2025 from 7:30-9:00 pm EST
Hosted by Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church facilitated by Circuit Rider Angela Carr
Do you have a full-time career while also serving the church as a part-time pastor? If so, this webinar is for you. Over 90 minutes, we will explore what it is like to serve the church in pastoral ministry while also tending to the responsibilities of a full-time career and family.
Those who are called to pastoral ministry know ministry isn’t something you can turn off when you get to work or arrive home in the evening; it is a calling that pervades the entirety of our lives. So, with all the responsibilities of ministry, work, and family, how are you taking care of your own well-being? It is vitally important that those who fill these roles tend to their spiritual, emotional, and physical health.
No one knows what it is like to be in pastoral ministry except others in pastoral ministry. You are invited to join us as we discuss these experiences, discern ways that we can prioritize our own health, and create relationships with others that understand the demands of ministry while working in another field.
Participants will be asked to fill out a short survey upon registration, and will receive a copy of Bivocational Ministry: Field Notes for Congregations and Ministers by Kristen Plinke Bentley.
Register for Two Hats One Heart.
Link to Survey https://forms.gle/aczCELHaAwgkPs766
Practicing the Way
Spiritual Formation course with Ryan Braught
What to expect: Over eight sessions, beginning September 8, you’ll form a foundational understanding of intentional spiritual formation. We’ll explore how to follow Jesus in our busy, distracted, and increasingly secular culture.
Each 30-minute session consists of teachings, guided discussion, tutorials, and voices from experts. (Videos last 30 minutes. Sessions last anywhere from one hour to one hour and 30 minutes)
If are interested in journeying with me through these 8 sessions of the Practicing the Way course please register here.
Once you register for the course, you’ll also need to register for an account through Practicing the Way. When you register at Practicing the Way, please take a few minutes to walk through the Spiritual Health Reflection that will help give you insights into your spiritual journey.
The Rural Church in God’s Country Book Study
As the world becomes increasingly urbanized, it’s easy for the country church and the rural pastor to feel left behind. Books on church leadership and seminars on ministry methods often assume an urban context, and even our denomination’s commitment to “being Jesus in the neighborhood” feels challenging when one’s closest neighbors are corn fields and cattle pastures. Yet there is continued vitality in rural ministry, and the country church is a long way from irrelevancy. Pastor Brad Roth in his book “God’s Country: Faith, Hope, and the Future of the Rural Church” and Dr Allen Stanton, author of “Reclaiming Rural: Building Thriving Rural Congregations” champion rural ministry and the dedicated leaders who make it possible. Join us for a fertile conversation as we reflect on both books and hopefully find new growth and encouragement together.
Sessions will be facilitated by Circuit Rider John Fillmore and begin September 2nd and continue for 10 sessions. They will be held every Tuesday for approximately 90 minutes and will be hosted on Zoom, beginning at 7:00 ET, 4:00 Pacific. CEUs are available and can be requested when the book study evaluation form is completed.
Register using the following link: https://forms.gle/cCanuEcqx4Bmbym79
If you have any questions please contact John Filmore filmojo@gmail.com or Tabitha Rudy adminptpftc@brethren.org
- Webinar to explore the ‘Two Hats, One Heart’ of part-time ministry
A webinar titled “Two Hats, One Heart” is offered from 7:30-9 p.m. (Eastern time) on Oct. 9 hosted by the Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church program and facilitated by “circuit rider” Angela Carr.
- Book study will focus on ‘The Rural Church in God’s Country’
“The Rural Church in God's Country” is the topic for an online book study hosted by the Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church program of the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office. Pastor Brad Roth, in his book God’s Country: Faith, Hope, and the Future of the Rural Church, and Allen Stanton, author of Reclaiming Rural: Building Thriving Rural Congregations, champion rural ministry and the dedicated leaders who make it possible.
- El programa de Pastor a Medio-Tiempo; Iglesia a Tiempo Completo ofrecerá un nuevo estudio en formación espiritual
El programa de Pastor a Medio-Tiempo; Iglesia a Tiempo Completo ofrecerá un nuevo estudio en formación espiritual con la acompañante del camino (Circuit Rider) Mayra Calix a fines de febrero 2025.
- New book study addresses spiritual formation, sponsored by Part-time Pastor; Full-time Church
Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church is announcing its next book study, beginning in early September via Zoom. “Circuit rider” John Fillmore will lead a discussion of Christian Spiritual Formation by Diane J. Chandler.
Peers, Practice, Purpose
Peers: Peer relationships are vital to thriving ministers. Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church offers many ways to connect with other ministering persons, both locally and throughout the Church of the Brethren.
Practice: Participation in healthy spiritual, emotional, and physical practices must be a priority for ministering persons. Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church offers a diverse array of opportunities for ministering persons to engage in these practices, so they are able to thrive in their ministry settings.
Purpose: Through peer connections and healthy practices, ministering persons are more equipped to be connected to God’s purpose for their ministries; which enables pastors and congregations the opportunity to thrive in their neighborhood and beyond.
Peers, Practice, Purpose; adapted from McNeil, J. D., Kate R. Davis, and Andrea Sielaff. “Resilience.” Center for Transforming Engagement. https://transformingengagement.org/resources/the-resilience-report
Why?
The post-resurrection appearance of Jesus on the Emmaus Road is powerful because it reminds us that Jesus’ presence is as important as his sermons and stories. Jesus was present as the two confessed what was weighing deep within each of them. Not only did they share with one another, Jesus walked alongside them hoping to sense where they were on their journey. Jesus then reminds them their story is not yet complete, that God’s plan is unfolding before them. His reassurance was simple and profound, so much so they invited him to stay. Around the fellowship of the table that evening – in a place of mutual discovery and exploration – Jesus reveals himself. Following events that left them questioning nearly everything, they found themselves in a space of genuine care and companionship with Jesus himself. It was there they knew their journey was valued and that, without a doubt, God’s plan would continue to unfold. With renewed faith for their journey, the two shared the hope and joy of the evening with their companions.
Previous events
Spiritual Formation Book Study
From Weary to Wholehearted Book Study
May 15-June 26, 2024 at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST
facilitated by Richard Wehrle, program manager of Thriving in Ministry for the Church of the Brethren’s Ministry Office. Author Callie Swanlund will participate in the first online session.
Find more information about the book study here.
Register for the book study here.
Soul Sisters
Multi-vocational clergywomen are invited to join Erin Matteson, spiritual director and Circuit Rider, for a monthly gathering during which Erin will facilitate various spiritual practices like lectio divina and visio divina. These gatherings, which will be held February to June, offer the opportunity to form sacred circles with others in hopes of nourishing your spiritual wellbeing. Join Erin on the second Monday of each month by registering for either the first (9am PST) or second (4pm PST) session using this link: https://forms.gle/ePk1UHuvkZoqW4Y19.
Registration closes on February 1.
Flourishing in Ministry
10-week discussion of Flourishing in Ministry by Matt Bloom, bginning January 16 at 7pm Eastern. Registration asap at https://forms.gle/JWi3m7pfAP6ZUCzL9
Fall 2023 book studies
Quietly Courageous: Leading the Church in a Changing World
Gil Rendle, in his book Quietly Courageous: Leading the Church in a Changing World, offers insight for church leaders who want to lead well, and respond to the unpredictable forces that shape our world with grace and courage.
Circuit Rider John Fillmore will facilitate a 10-week conversation on Rendle’s book. Sessions will begin Oct 3rd and will be held virtually from 7-8 pm EST (4-5 PST) on Tuesdays. CEUs will be available to pastors, and the Part-Time Pastor/Full-Time Church Program will provide participants a copy of the text.
Flyer about Quietly Courageous book study (PDF)
Register at https://forms.gle/8CcUvwma1PCYEMtC6
Positively Irritating
Have you ever asked yourself, “What might church look like in the midst of our postmodern & post Christian world?” Have you ever had a conversation with other pastors or leaders around this very question? Are you looking for a resource that can help facilitate this conversation?
Circuit Rider Ryan Braught will lead a book study on “Positively Irritating: Embracing a Post-Christian World to Form a More Faithful and Innovative Church” by Jon Ritner beginning on October 19. This monthly study will be held on the 3rd Thursday of the month at 8:30 EST/7:30 CST, and will also be available in an asynchronous format. Register for the book study.
There will be an online conversation with the author on Monday, September 18. Register for the Sept 18 webinar.
Flyer on the Positively Irritating book study and
Have questions?
Contact Richard Wehrle, Program Manager, with questions: rwehrle@brethren.org or 847-429-4365