Intentional Learning Fellowships

This group is for anyone serving in vocational ministry (pastors, associate, worship, students, children, missions).

Leader:  Roland Contreras (The Grove BC)

Logistics:  Meets Monthly on Tuesdays; 9:30--Noon with Lunch Out

Learning:  "The Flourishing Pastor"

From ILF Leader

We will be reading and discussing the book "The Flourishing Pastor" by Tom Nelson. This book frames pastoral leadership around the biblical image of the shepherd, revealing that pastors flourish only as they are led by the Good Shepherd themselves and shepherd others well.

Here are the meeting dates for first half of 2026:

• Tuesday, January 20th -- Chapters 1-3

• Tuesday, February 3rd -- Chapter 4 & 5

• Tuesday, March 3rd -- Chapter 6

• Tuesday, April 7th -- Chapter 7 & 8

• Tuesday, May 5th -- Chapters 9-11

This group is for anyone serving in vocational ministry (pastors, associate, worship, students, children, missions).

Leader:  Jay Fleming (Shiner BC) & Matt Singleton (SCBA DOM)

Logistics:  Meets Monthly on Thursdays; 9:30--Noon with Lunch Out

Learning:  SCBA Leadership Podcast

From ILF Leaders

We're trying something different for the first half of 2026. We will listen to an episode of the SCBA Leadership Podcast and discuss during group time.  This has the added benefit of joining in whenever you can as we will not be reading through any particular book.

Here are the meeting dates for first half of 2026:

• Thursday, January 22nd  --  Episode #130  On Preparing the Church for the AI Revolution with Katie Frugé

• Thursday, February 5th -- Episode #139--On the How of Discipleship with Dr.  Kirk Freeman

• Thursday, March 5th -- Episode #157--WHEN IN CONFLICT SERIES with Blake Coffee

• Thursday, April 2nd -- Episode #56--On Surviving Hard Times in Ministry with Kevin Cornelius

• Thursday, May 7th -- Episode #149--On Christian Nationalism with Dr. Nick Acker 

You can also find these podcasts on iTunes and Spotify!

This group is for anyone serving in vocational ministry as a second chair leader (associate, worship, students, children, missions). 

Leader:  Chad Humphrey (FBC La Vernia)

Logistics:  Meets Monthly on Mondays at FBC Stockdale, 10:00 (or sometimes at FBC La Vernia) -- Noon with Lunch Out

Learning:  "Second Chair Leadership: How To Serve, Thrive & Lead From Where You Play"

From ILF Leader, Chad Humphrey

Meeting dates for first half of 2026...

• Monday, January 12th @ FBC Stockdale -- Chapters 5 & 6

• Monday, February 2nd @ FBC Stockdale -- Chapters 7-9

• Monday, March 2nd @ FBC Stockdale -- Chapters 10-12

• Monday, April 13th @ FBC Stockdale -- Chapters 13-15

• Monday, May 4th @ FBC Stockdale -- Chapters 16 & 17

This group is for anyone serving in a bi-vocational capacity (pastors, associate, worship, students, children, missions).

Leader:  Matt Singleton (SCBA DOM)

Logistics:  Meets Every Other Month on Saturdays; 7--9  am with Breakfast Served

Learning:  Various Resources

From ILF Leader, Matt Singleton

In 2026 we will move to meeting every other month! Here are the dates we've selected...

• Saturday, January 24th

• Saturday, March 21st

• Saturday, May 9th

• Saturday, July 18th

• Saturday, September 29th

• Saturday, November 21st

This group is for senior pastors (or lead pastors) who have the responsibility to oversee the work of other ministers on staff.

Leader:  Matt Singleton (DOM)

Logistics:  Will meet weekly or every other week on Zoom for 75-90 minutes.

Learning:  “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” (book and field guide)

From ILF Leader, Matt Singleton

One of the greatest challenges I faced as a pastor was being a shepherd, supervisor, and friend to those serving with me on church staff. What I wish I had from the start, I want to offer to you now: An opportunity to spend time with other senior pastors who have a deep desire to grow in their ability to lead leaders. Doesn’t matter if you’ve been doing it awhile or just getting started, I believe this group will be of benefit to you and that you will be of help to your peers.

This will be a learning group that will meet on Zoom over the course of 6 sessions for about 75-90 minutes per session. During this time we will utilize Patrick Lencioni’s book, “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” and his accompanying field guide. Our time together will be spent unpacking Lencioni’s work and applying it to your context with an eye towards practical steps you can take to improve as a leader of leaders.

So, what will we actually cover? To put it positively, we will sharpen our ability to lead functional teams that…

1. Build Trust

2. Master Conflict

3. Achieve Commitment

4. Embrace Accountability

5. Focus on Results

SIGN UP AND SHARE YOUR INPUT ON MEETING DATES/TIMES!

This group is for women serving as ministers in the local church.

Leader:  TBD

Logistics:  Will meet on the third Monday of every month on Zoom for 75-90 minutes

Learning:   "Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership" by Ruth Haley Barton

About the Book

Spiritual Practices for Burnt Out Leaders:  "I'm tired of helping others enjoy God―I just want to enjoy God for myself."

With this painful admission, Ruth Haley Barton invites spiritual leaders into an honest exploration of what happens when they lose track of their souls. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership weaves together contemporary illustrations with penetrating insights from the life of Moses to help ministry leaders care for their own souls so that they may in turn minister well to others.

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership explores topics including:

• responding to the dynamics of calling

• facing the loneliness of leadership

• leading from your authentic self

• cultivating spiritual community

• discerning God's will together

Each chapter includes a spiritual practice to ensure your soul gets the nourishment it needs. Barton shows that forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God is the best choice you can make for yourself and for those you lead.

SCHEDULE...

• Monday, February 16th -- Foreword, Intro & Appendix: "How Is It with Your Soul?” assessment

• Monday, March 16th -- Chapters 1 & 2

• Monday, April 20th -- Chapters 3 & 4

• Monday, May 18th -- Chapters 5 & 6

• SUMMER BREAK!

• Monday, August 17th -- Chapters 7 & 8

• Monday, September 21st -- Chapters 9 & 10

• Monday, October 19th  -- Chapters 11 & 12

• Monday, November 16th -- Chapters 13 & Afterword

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE ZOOM LINK!