Our Cohorts

What is a cohort?

An Alongside Cohort is a small group of ten pastors’ wives that gathers together for the purpose of taking the next step in embracing the unique opportunities of this God-given role. The cohorts will engage in monthly, topical discussions, facilitated by two Alongside coaches, around becoming a better team in your marriage and living out your individual calling, as well as some of the obstacles to staying engaged in ministry as a team. We’re looking forward to helping each other become more of what God made us to be.

The Specs

We have both online and face-to-face cohorts. They meet monthly for four months, for two hours per session. The online cohorts meet using the Zoom platform, with a goal of meeting face-to-face once during their four month commitment. Because the spaces are limited, we ask that you commit to participating in every discussion when you sign up.

Sign up

We fill cohorts on a first come-first served basis. If all of the cohorts fill for your desired time, we’ll put you on a wait list. If someone gives up their spot, you’ll be contacted and given the option of joining, provided it is before the first session. When dates are released for the next semester’s cohorts, you’ll be given first priority.

Conversation Series

Each cohort engages in intentional, focused conversations that help us to wrestle together with some complicated issues surrounding the life of a pastor’s wife. These conversations are designed to help us each take the next step in embracing our callings to ministry and the opportunities that are unique to this calling. While we don’t shy away from the “ugly underbelly” of church ministry, our desire is to help each other see God’s hand in the midst of all that is hard. And while there is some content, some meat and tools that our coaches bring to the table, the conversations are more about digging in, asking hard questions and sharing perspectives. 

We ask that everyone new to Alongside start with the foundational conversation series Embracing Our Calling. After that, you may choose any that are offered. 

Series Descriptors

Embracing Our Calling Conversation Series

Dig into the idea of a “shared calling” and how to build a marriage team that not only supports but seizes the opportunities God brings your way with courage and unity. Discover how you are uniquely gifted by God for this crucial role. Learn practical skills in building your marriage team.

Session 1 – A Shared Calling (How did we get here? How is the idea of a shared calling not only biblical but helpful? How do I move from “his calling” to a “shared calling”?

Session 2 – Being a Team (What are the obstacles to being a team and how to tackle them? What happens when I feel tempted to disengage? How can I better know how our marriage team works? How can I be intentional about strengthening our marriage team?

Session 3 – Discerning Your Calling (How does my life fit into what God is doing in His Kingdom? How has God built and molded me for this role? What’s the difference between my identity, my calling and my assignment? Is this a big deal? How has God used my greatest pain to build in my my greatest passion? 

Session 4 – Group Guided (The topics discussed in this session will be the product of issues and questions sent by the cohort to the coaches during the previous three months) 

Raising a Family in Ministry Conversation Series  – Coming Soon                                                                          There’s a difference between raising a family where Dad happens to be a pastor and raising a family that embraces being in ministry together, as a team. We all desire to raise kids that love Jesus and His people from the heart, but sometimes being in church ministry makes that a whole lot more complicated. Dig into living out the Both/And realities such as embracing ministry and healthy boundaries, authentically sharing struggles and protecting kids, and the blessings of privacy and a public platform. We’ll talk about family life and ministry from the time of diapers through parenting adult children. We don’t have all the answers but will provide some framework to think about these issues purposefully.

Transitioning Well Conversation Series – Coming Soon

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