One-Year Cohorts
Program Overview
The Center for Pastor Theologians is now accepting applications for two One-Year Pastoral Cohorts for the ‘26/’27 academic year. These cohorts provide a unique opportunity for pastors, ministry staff, and congregational leaders to:
Interact throughout the year with a CPT Fellow in a small group setting
Engage in a theologically rich and collaborative conversation around topics significant to the life of the local church
Experience dynamic teaching and conversation with an expert practitioner during the Spring Retreat
Space is limited. Each congregation should submit a single application. The program is designed for two participants per congregation, although applications for a different number of participants from your congregation will also be considered. Priority will be given to church leaders who demonstrate the relevance of the topic for their congregational context or ministry role. Any church staff member or lay leader is eligible.
Successful applicants will be responsible for the following expenses:
A one-time $299 enrollment fee (per individual)
Airfare or travel costs for the Spring Retreat
Incidental costs during the Spring Retreat
The following expenses are covered:
Resource materials for the cohort
Accommodations during the Spring Retreat
Meals during the Spring Retreat
Two cohorts are available for the ‘26/’27 academic year. Both cohorts will meet 3 times throughout the year and finish with an in-person Spring Retreat. See more information below.
The application deadline is September 1, 2026.
Cohort 1
Exploring Ecclesial Identities: Theological Foundations for the Church and the Pastor
CPT’s flagship cohort explores how a theology of the church and the pastor that is biblically, creedally, and historically informed can equip your church for stronger ministry.
We believe the path to understanding what the church is called to do begins with a deeper understanding of who the church is called to be; a deeply rooted theology of the church leads to rich and fruitful practices within the church.
CPT president Dr. Joel Lawrence and CPT Fellow Dr. Chris Ganski (City Reformed Church, Milwaukee, WI) will lead the cohort, with CPT founder Dr. Gerald Hiestand serving as a retreat speaker.
The CPT has curated a rich collection of historical and contemporary readings on the nature of the church and the pastor, which you will explore and discuss over the course of the year.
The Spring Retreat focuses on integrating the year of study within your own pastoral ministry and considers how you can help your church grow in their sense of identity and purpose. You will interact with church leaders from a variety of contexts, hear talks on the theological vision of the church from CPT fellows, and work on developing a clarified vision of the church and the pastor within your church’s ministries.
Joel Lawrence
cohort mentor
Chris Ganski
cohort mentor
Gerald Hiestand
retreat speaker
Cohort Schedule
Online Meeting #1 - Friday, November 6, 2026 (2pm - 4pm CT)
Online Meeting #2 - Friday, January 8, 2027 (2pm - 4pm CT)
Online Meeting #3 - Friday, February 5, 2027 (2pm - 4pm CT)
In-Person Spring Retreat - Wednesday, March 3 - Friday, March 5, 2027 (Chicago, IL)
Cohort 2
A Theology of Work: Pastoral Reflections on Human Flourishing, Finitude, and Fallenness
This cohort will pursue a biblically faithful perspective on the topics of work and rest that can be applied to our daily vocational lives and pastoral ministry.
Each generation asks what it means to be human and how our work relates to our humanity. The age of ever-increasing digital technology and artificial intelligence brings new theological and anthropological aspects to these questions.
CPT Fellow Dr. Ryan Tafilowski (Denver Seminary) will lead the cohort, with Dr. Kelly Kapic (Covenant College) serving as the retreat speaker.
Members will explore what a vision for human work and vocation looks like in our digital age. The cohort will pursue a vision rooted in a biblical framework, addressing issues such as calling, passion, human limitation, and sin.
Ryan Tafilowski
cohort mentor
Kelly Kapic
retreat speaker
Cohort Schedule
Online Meeting #1 - Thursday, October 29, 2026 (2pm - 4pm CT)
Online Meeting #2 - Thursday, January 7, 2027 (2pm - 4pm CT)
Online Meeting #3 - Thursday, February 25, 2027 (2pm - 4pm CT)
In-Person Spring Retreat - Tuesday, March 30 - Thursday, April 1, 2027 (Nashville, TN)
How to Apply
To apply to join either learning cohort, click the application link below. Please note that the program is designed for two participants per church, although groups of a different size will be considered. See the FAQ’s below for further information.
The application deadline for both cohorts is September 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A: The cohort will meet 3 times virtually and finish with an in-person spring retreat. Members are asked to prioritize these meetings, especially the in-person retreat.
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A: Reading assignments are given ahead of each gathering. Each assignment will likely involve multiple chapters and/or articles from the selected resource material. The retreat assignment will be a full-length book or equivalent by the retreat speaker.
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A: The purpose of these cohorts is to provide theological undergirding and thoughtful context for issues relevant to your current ministry context. Examples of relevance include a current need for further discipleship, vision, funding, or ministry development in your local church, the relevance or challenges of this topic in your community context, or a need for better educating your leaders on the topic. It is helpful to include a specific story or circumstance that connects your church or ministry to the topic.
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A: The primary costs are the $299 enrollment fee (per individual, paid to CPT) and the cost of your travel or airfare to the retreat (purchased on your own). You may also incur incidental expenses during your travel.
CPT will purchase and ship to you all your resource materials. Your lodging and meals during the retreat will also be arranged and paid for by CPT. Special needs regarding diet or accommodations can be discussed upon acceptance and may possibly entail extra expenses.
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A: We want these cohorts to be small enough for deep, relational conversations. Cohorts will be roughly between 15-25 individuals representing about half that many churches.
We value pairs from the same church joining the cohort together, as it helps continue the conversation throughout the year and after the cohort is finished.
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A: Depending on your church size, polity, and the relevance of this topic in your context, the ideal applicants could be the senior/lead pastor, a staff member over this area, a key lay leader, a board member, or somebody else passionate about or influential in relation to the topic.
Regardless of church and staff size, we encourage two leaders from your church to apply together, as we have found it to be a more rewarding experience when you have somebody with whom you have shared experience and ongoing conversation between gatherings.
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A: No formal training or experience is required. We would like to hear about any resources you have consulted or experience you have had prior to this cohort for the sake of context, which you will notice on the application form.
For additional questions regarding CPT’s One-Year Cohorts, contact Steve Williamson at swilliamson@pastortheologians.com.