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Program Description

Gary Mangiofico leads Communitas session

 

COMMUNITAS will bring together a cohort of early career pastors (i.e., in the pastorate from 5-12 years) from the greater Los Angeles area for a series of brief retreat-seminars spaced out over a one-year period beginning in August 2022 and ending in August 2023. These sessions will utilize Pepperdine faculty and staff who have particular expertise related to the topic under discussion and/or a relationship with the selected business and community leaders from the greater Los Angeles area to engage in direct conversation with these young leaders.

The first meeting is focused on orienting pastors to the program itself, building community among the program participants, and familiarizing participants with concepts related to organizational and community leadership and change. Each session (except the D.C. trip) will begin on a Monday afternoon and end on Wednesday afternoon, with each session devoted to a particular social issue that is important and relevant to the community. The program also includes a 5-day, 4-night trip to Washington, D.C. in October 2022 to examine issues of national and international importance.

 


Accommodations and Meals

The retreat-seminars will be held at two retreat centers, Serra Retreat in Malibu and Mary and Joseph Retreat Center in Rancho Palos Verdes. 

All participants will have a private room.  All session meals and accommodations and travel to Washington D.C. are free of charge*, thanks to a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

*COMMUNITAS is funded by a generous grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. All lodging, meals, and the program itself can be offered without charge to pastors selected to participate. Given the cost of the program (estimated at $15,500 per person) and the limited number of available awards, we do ask that all candidates only apply if they can commit to attending every session of the program.

 


 

Schedule

 Cohort 4 Schedule: 2022-2023

Introductions
Getting to Know Each Other Via Zoom

August 2, 2022, 9:30 am - 12:00 pm, Zoom Session

Zoom session
 
 

Session 1: Engaging a Vibrant Community of Faith
Organizational and Community Development and Leadership

Dr. Gary Mangiofico, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Pepperdine University 

August 8-10, 2022, Mary and Joseph Retreat Center, Rancho Palos Verdes*

 

Dr. Gary Mangiofico

 

 

Session 2: Who is My Neighbor?
Migration and the Making of America
Travel to Washington, D.C.

Professor Jennifer Koh, Caruso School of Law, Pepperdine University 

October 3-7, 2022, Washington, D.C. *

Professor Jennifer Koh
 
 

Epiphany Dinner Night Out (Optional; Spouses Invited)

January 6, 2023

 
 
 

Session 3: Not in My Neighborhood
Sustainability and Poverty

Dr. Christopher Doran, Seaver College, Pepperdine University 

January 30-February 1, 2023, Serra Retreat, Malibu*

Dr. Christopher Doran

 

 

Session 4: Caring for Whole Communities
Mental Health, Addiction and Intimate Partner Violence

Dr. Carrie Castaneda-Sound, Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pepperdine University

March 13-15, 2023, Serra Retreat, Malibu*

Dr. Carrie Castaneda-Sound

 

 

Session 5: Hope for the Captive
Criminal Justice and Prison Reform

Dr. Angela Hawken, Marron Institute, N.Y.U.

May 8-10, 2023, Serra Retreat, Malibu*

Dr. Angela Hawken
 
 

Family Gathering (Optional; Spouses and Children Invited)

June 17, 2023

 
 
 

Session 6: Head and Heart
Navigating the World of NonProfits

Dr. Regan Schaffer, Seaver College, Pepperdine University

The Journey Forward: Reflections and Learnings

Dr. Gary Mangiofico, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Pepperdine University

July 31-August 2, 2023, Mary and Joseph Retreat Center, Rancho Palos Verdes*

Dr. Regan Schaffer

*All regular sessions will be followed by Zoom or in person optional gatherings to reflect on material presented. These will be scheduled during or soon after each session.

 

 

 

 

 

 


COVID-19 Requirements


COMMUNITAS follows the COVID-19 policies of Los Angeles County and Pepperdine University. Therefore, COVID-19 vaccination (full vaccination at least 14 days prior to the first meeting) is mandatory.  A negative COVID-19 antigeen test result at least 72 hours prior to the first meeting is recommended, as well as indoor masking with a surgical mask or better (N95 [without filter] or KN95).

Current Pepperdine University COVID-19 guidelines can be found here.


Application Materials

As you prepare your application materials, keep in mind that we are looking for younger pastors serving in congregational ministry in the greater Los Angeles area, who demonstrate confidence, optimism, and security in their pastoral role, and who have strong potential for the next two or three decades of Christian ministry.  Applicants should have at least five years experience in full-time, congregational ministry, but not much more than twelve years. We are also looking for applicants who have developed a strong theological foundation for their ministry, whether through pursuing an M.Div. degree or continuing education, or through such avenues as an apprenticeship or close mentoring relationships.

The criteria for selection will include vocational clarity, theological acuity necessary to interpret their experiences in the program in light of the biblical narrative, appropriate balance of confidence and ability, good public speaking and preaching, a healthy ego necessary for creativity, integrity, and humility, and an ability to listen to and communicate with a diverse group of people from different social and theological backgrounds for the sake of the common good.

If you would like to recommend a pastor for this or future cohorts, click HERE. Cohort participants are chosen based on criteria outlined in Characteristics of a Successful Applicant.

Applications for the 2022-2023 COMMUNITAS Cohort are closed. Applications for the next cohort will be available in 2023.