What is Growth Seekers for Pastors and Growth Seekers for Pastors wives?

Growth Seekers is a confidential, Biblically based, safe and trusted small group experience.  The focus is on emotional and relational health based upon Biblical principles.  There are separate groups for men and women.   

What makes Growth Seekers different from other programs?  

Growth Seekers enables participants to learn new relational principles and skills. It further provides an experiential component by challenging group members to practice and implement what they are learning.  

How can joining a Growth Seekers  benefit me as a pastor?

According to the Barna Survey of “Pastoral Burnout” “42% of all pastors have given real, serious consideration to quitting being in full-time ministry within the last year”. Growth Seekers for Pastors and their wives learn new skills that help them in their marriage and ministry.  Our groups provide a safe, confidential space where Pastors and/or their wives can develop authentic relationships in community with other pastors/wives where they can feel heard, understood and supported.  

What topics or areas of personal growth does the group focus on?

The foundational skills of Growth Seekers for Pastors/spouses include:

• Attuning which is the ability to listen with the intent of understanding what another is experiencing.  

• Attuning is a life changing skill which results in relational connection typically drawing people closer together. 

• Naming emotions in ourselves and others. Most of us are limited to knowing only mad, sad, and afraid. The ability to identify more fully our emotions is crucial to emotional and spiritual growth.    

• Understanding the story we tell ourselves and how it impacts our lives 

• Understanding and identifying  our relational needs. 

Is there a specific format or structure for the group meetings?

Growth Seekers is 2 ½ hour weekly group meetings over the course of a semester. The groups are limited to 8 people per group and there are multiple groups available. 

Who will be facilitating the group?

We are pastors, pastor’s wives, and lay people with experience helping others understand personal challenges impacting their emotional health and relationships. Our approach is based upon biblical principals and Scripture.   We are not licensed counselors. We coach individuals in navigating life challenges by teaching new skills which improve marriages, parenting, and ministry roles. 

Are there any costs associated with joining  a group?

The cost is $850 per person. This includes all materials for the group. We don’t want cost to be an obstacle to participating . Please contact sue@growthseekers.org to discuss options.

How will the personal growth group support my spiritual development as a pastor?

Peter Scazzero in his book “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” Says “You can't be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.”  Growth Seekers provides tools and skills which equip pastors personally as well as professionally to better understand God's plan for growth and development.