PASTORAL COHORTS
Binding pastors together for the long and weary road of gospel faithfulness.
“The recent retreat to Scottsdale with the group was a sweet time of fellowship, vulnerability, and care that I have not experienced in years… I pray these cohorts can be the start of a beautiful ministry to the pastors of the PCA.”
Pastor Luke Wolfe
“This past week was truly fantastic! I think it will be a sort of Ebenezer I go back to regularly in my mind. I love those guys and they love me. I felt known and seen by a fantastic group of pastors… Thank you so much for putting it all together! It was truly wonderful!”
Pastor Keaton Paul
“This morning I woke up with so much gratitude and joy in my heart, so much rest and relief in my body and so much expectant hope. Y’all have done an amazing job in providing a safe and healing space for us… I simply wanted to say thank you!”
Pastor Adam Coppock
What is a pastoral cohort?
Pastoral ministry should never be done alone. We need a band of brothers who serve as our safe harbor amid trials and act as our launching pad for gospel work.
Our cohorts host two in-person retreats each year over two years (in Spring and Fall). At our retreats, pastors are cared for in a beautiful environment by a trained cohort leader. Those who care for others need to be cared for, which is why our retreats consist of plenty of time to sleep, eat like royalty, enjoy the outdoors, and connect deeply with other pastors. Beyond in person gatherings, cohorts meet over for a video call each month to check in, navigate material on ministry resilience, share experiences, and pray together.
Why participate in a pastoral cohort?
Pastoral ministry is a unique calling that often intersects with the most difficult situations. We believe God is at work, Jesus is on his throne, and that his gospel changes everything. This reality enables pastors to enter into broken situations when others would retreat.
Pastors must cultivate supportive relationships among pastors. Together, our cohorts establish healthy patterns of rest, rejuvenation, and self-stewardship while tackling leadership challenges and ministry trauma. Pastoral wellbeing cohorts are essential for ensuring long-term gospel ministry.
Learn More About Pastoral Cohorts
FAQ’s
Why is a sabbatical important?
The pastoral vocation is uniquely challenging. Work like sermon preparation, preaching, teaching, counseling, and day-to-day administrative oversight of the church are difficult and time-consuming enough. But pastors bear the additional burden of being “always on.” They get calls at night and on weekends, and wherever they go, they are seen in their pastoral role. For long-term wellbeing, pastors need occasional seasons away from these all-consuming demands provided by sabbiticals.
How can pastors thrive on the long road of ministry?
Watch this webinar to hear Rev. Jon Medlock provide a helpful framework for ministerial wellbeing, along with insight from his research into the wellbeing of PCA pastors.
How long are the pastoral cohorts?
Cohorts are a two-year commitment. We desire that the Lord Jesus would knit these cohorts together so that they cannot think of doing gospel ministry apart from this band of brothers.
When do the pastoral cohorts start?
Our next round of cohorts will start in January of 2026. In-person retreats will be in February/March and October of 2026.
How often do pastoral cohorts meet?
Twice a year for an in-person retreat in a beautiful setting. And then monthly over Zoom.
How large are the pastoral cohorts?
Deep relationships are essential to our cohorts. Cohorts consist of 5-7 pastors each. We also believe that age and stage are important. We keep cohorts open only to Senior/Lead/Solo Pastors at the moment.
How do I get into a pastoral cohort?
Contact us at wellbeing@genevabenefits.org. We will answer any questions and provide information on costs. We will give you details to share with your elders and guide you through the application process.
How can I pay for pastoral cohorts?
We believe that the local church should care for its pastor’s wellbeing. We will provide you with information to share with your Session and are available to answer any questions they may have. We have found that most Sessions want to ensure their pastors are cared for and are willing to cover the costs. At the end of the day, it is more cost-effective to support a pastor’s wellbeing than to replace him after burnout.