Liturgy and Leadership Field Education Cohort Program

In an ever-evolving religious landscape, the church needs leaders who can navigate complexity with resilience and adaptive leadership skills. To equip the next generation of leaders with these qualities, Methodist Theological School in Ohio has developed the Liturgy and Leadership Field Education Cohort Program.

Funded with an Innovative Institutional Development Grant of $295,538 from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church through the Ministerial Education Fund, the program is presented by United Methodist pastors Rachel Billups and Matt Rawle, built upon their deep-rooted dedication to creativity and innovation within the church.

Who participates

Over the course of three academic years, we are convening three cohorts of seven promising ministry candidates to immerse them in the methodologies that foster church growth and community impact. The program’s first two cohorts consist of MTSO students in their second or third year of the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Public Theology or other graduate theological degrees that meet the academic requirements for ordination in the United Methodist Church and include field education as a core component. The third cohort may include students from another United Methodist seminary or theological school.

To encourage innovative thinking and collaboration, each cohort includes ministry candidates from varied backgrounds. To ensure an equitable approach to leadership development, MTSO compensates cohort participants for their time and contributions. Grant funds are allocated to cover the costs of travel, educational materials, expert guidance and project resources.

Recruitment for the program focuses on identifying students who demonstrate progress in the United Methodist candidacy process. We welcome students who are currently involved in ministry settings and wish to strengthen and expand their reach through the resources provided by the cohort, as well as those looking to establish new ministry settings supported by our funding and guidance.

MTSO creates a supportive environment that encourages persistence and strengthens the resolve of our ministry candidates as they navigate their spiritual journeys alongside one another. This approach enhances their individual capabilities while cultivating a community that uplifts one another in the face of challenges.

Timeline

Participants benefit from monthly online gatherings, supplemented by individual coaching sessions with seasoned leaders in the field. Our cohort co-learners are encouraged to experiment with discipleship and outreach that resonate with contemporary communities. At the close of each academic year, MTSO hosts a virtual culmination event for each participant to showcase their outreach prototypes and allow for peer feedback.

Phase 1 of the Liturgy and Leadership Field Education Cohort Program ran from March 2025 through May 2026, with phases 2 and 3 following similar timelines starting in 2026 and 2027. Unless otherwise indicated, gatherings are online. For on-campus events, MTSO covers participants’ travel expenses.

Highlights from phase 1

Across the 2025–2026 academic year, participants engaged in:

• 9 cohort learning sessions.
• Multiple one-on-one coaching opportunities for 144 coaching hours.
• 10 guest presentations
• Collaborative workshops focused on leadership, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurship, and adaptive ministry.
• Two in-person gatherings where participants shared stories from their ministry settings and their future vocational dreams.

The cohort intentionally centered themes such as:

• Curiosity as a leadership practice.
• Adaptive leadership and collaborative problem solving.
• Emotional intelligence and resilience.
• Entrepreneurial ministry and innovation.
• Vision casting and sustainable growth.
• Measuring impact through lead and lag indicators.