"This has been the most rewarding and uplifting experience of my ministry." These words were shared by a valued colleague, veteran pastor of 30 years, and former conference staff member. "I have never felt as supported and nurtured in my own discipleship as I do through participation in my Covenant Discipleship group." This pastor, like many throughout the United Methodist connection, is an active member of a Covenant Discipleship group. He meets monthly with other pastors in the district and with members of the congregation he serves as pastor.

When I was appointed to the ministry of the superintendency in 1996, at our training session at Lake Junaluska I was struck by the new first priority for the work of superintending: providing spiritual leadership for the clergy and laity of the district. Because of my experience in local church ministry, I knew the blessings of covenantal relationship with other Christians working on their discipleship through Covenant Discipleship groups. I was convinced that David Lowes Watson's Covenant Discipleship model, based on our Wesleyan heritage of the class meeting, was an important part of the continued spiritual formation for pastors.

One of the first things I did as a district superintendent was to arrange the district clergy in Covenant Discipleship groups that meet as part of our monthly clergy gatherings. One hour of each meeting is spent in these groups where we hold one another accountable for our agreed-upon acts of devotion, worship, compassion, and justice. Pastors sharing together in this way are encouraged by one another to greater levels of faithfulness and growth. This has been a helpful way for pastors to think about their ministry as a way of being faithful and growing in the grace of God through living out their discipleship, not just as a job, or as busyness. It has also helped form connection and covenantal relationships with many who were different from one another culturally or theologically. When we journey together, in covenant with Christ and one another, the walls that divide us crumble!

But even more amazing things happened spiritually to the pastors who took the challenge of covenant community through Covenant Discipleship groups back to their local congregations. When pastors risked being vulnerable in Christian accountability with the people with whom they were co-workers in ministry, remarkable things happened! They were awed by a new level of trust, love, and grace that became a tangible part of their work. The comments opening this article come from that experience.

It makes sense. In researching beneficial ways to support pastors spiritually and to keep them from burning out, I discovered that they need relationship with and encouragement from colleagues, and an intimate spiritual relationship with those with whom they work in ministry daily. Covenant Discipleship groups provide such a resource, keeping people growing in their faith and in their experience of the love and grace of God. This keeps the passion for the work of ministry alive and burning — and people who are filled with passion rarely burn out! Thanks be to God for this gift to the church!

Vicki Brendler is Superintendent of the Raritan District of the Northern New Jersey Conference of The United Methodist Church.