Applications are open for the next Clergy Cohort!
The Clergy Cohort is designed for preachers currently employed at small mainline churches. This cohort will run for two years, typically meeting twice a month online for coaching and learning. The schedule aims to avoid busy times like back-to-school, Christmas, and Easter. Each Fall and Spring, the cohort will gather for a retreat at Mo-Ranch in Hunt, TX for rest and regrowth.
Eligibility Requirements:
Masters of Divinity graduate
Employed at a small congregation (<150 in attendance)
Employed at a church in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, or Arkansas
Ability to connect to Zoom for online meetings
Ability to attend four in-person retreats over the next two years
Applications will close on May 15, 2026. The cohort will be announced June 1, 2026.
Do you want to learn more about the Clergy Cohort? Please visit its page on our website to learn and see more.
Do you have questions about the Clergy Cohort? Please reach out to us by email at sharingfaith@austinseminary.edu with any questions.
Do you know someone who might be interested in being a part of this cohort? Please feel free to share so they can know of this free opportunity!
Interested in a cohort for those without a Masters in Divinity? The Faithful Preaching Project also has one-year cohorts for lay preachers. An application for a new group will open in May 2026. These groups have also been insightful in sharing feedback and resources among preaching peers and professors of homiletics.