Upcoming Events & News

July 15 & 22

2:00pm -4:30pm EST both days

Via Zoom

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This two-part online mini-retreat will give you time to reflect on what's ahead. It’s an opportunity for you to think through how you want to be and what you want to do–not simply what others want you to do. And it’s a chance to take the time to plan your upcoming work, in the company of others. Why 90 days? Focusing on just three months really helps. It’s a way to think about just “what’s next.” 

You’ll be set up to work with more thoughtfulness and intention and less overwhelm through these next few months.

• Get positive input from others.
• Clarify where you are and what you need to do next (and what you need NOT do).
• Discern what you want most now (including rest) and how to get it –then make a plan that works for you.

Here’s what Rev. Melinda Parry, associate pastor at FBC Wakefield, MA, said:

“I signed up for the What to Do Now retreat because I needed some clarity around my goals, as I was being pulled in too many directions. Through the retreat I was able to set a good goal and find a common thread with what I have coming up, which has made my initial challenge seem so much easier now. I would recommend it to anyone who needs help goal setting.”

Margaret Marcuson, Facilitator 

Margaret offers a way pastors can bring their best to their ministry without giving it all away, so they can have a greater impact and find more satisfaction. She works with church leaders nationally across denominations as a teacher and coach. Margaret is the author of Leaders who Last: Sustaining Yourself and Your Ministry and Money and Your Ministry: Balance the Books While Keeping Your Balance. An ABC minister, Margaret was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Gardner, Massachusetts, for 13 years.  

To register, please contact Maggie Lewis, Executive Director of CCDM, at exec@ccdmin.org

This event is made possible by The Center for Career Development and Ministry in Partnership with the Conference of Baptist Ministers in Massachusetts 

Cost: There is no cost to participate but spaces are limited.

September 23-26, 2025

La Salette Retreat Center

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You are invited to Make Space – Take Space, a unique women’s retreat taking place September 23–26, 2025, at La Salette Retreat Center. Inspired by the daughters of Zelophehad—whose bold request changed history—this sacred time is designed to elevate women's voices and support each one in responding more deeply to God’s call. This retreat welcomes women of all faiths who are seeking space for rest, discernment, and renewal. If you’ve ever felt your voice silenced or sidelined, this gathering is for you. For more information or to register, visit: https://tinyurl.com/5bu2vj7p

With hope and anticipation,

The Reverend Cheryl Harris

The Reverend Sandra Dorsainvil

A Series of Conversations With Nick Munn and His CCDM Colleagues 

12:00pm-1:00pm EST

Via Zoom

Join Rev. Nick and his expert guests for a 5-week conversational series exploring some of the factors that are contributing to the rise of pastoral burnout, decline of felt effectiveness on ministry, and the struggle of congregations to experience vitality and wholeness.

May 16 - Hannah Anderson, DMin, Ministry Coach

May 23 - Ken Reeves, PhD, Clinical Director

May 30 - Meg Hess, MDiv, DMin, Ministry Coach

June 6 - Sandra Dorsainvil, MA, MS, Ministry Coach & Retreat Facilitator

June 13 - Will Ashley, M.Div, D.Min, SCP, NCPSYA, Vocational Coach

Session 1: May 16 with Hannah Anderson

Why is church so hard? Because...the leadership skills we learned in the past are the wrong tools for the challenges we face today? 

Join the conversation between Rev. Nick and Hannah Anderson as Hannah speaks to the necessity of engaging our churches with curiosity, playfulness, and experimentation. These are fundamental tools for adaptive leaders who can thrive in the rapidly changing culture and expectations that pastors face today

To register, contact Erin Henke, Client Coordinator, at info@ccdmin.org

All conversations will be recorded and uploaded to the CCDM YouTube channel.

Lenten Leadership Gathering: Endurance and the Joy Set Before Us

Date & Time: Thursday, March 27 1 - 2:30 p.m. ET via Zoom

Register by emailing admin@ccdmin.org by March 24th

"So let’s also run the race that is laid out in front of us… fixing our eyes on Jesus, faith’s pioneer and perfecter. He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him…” — Hebrews 12:1-2 (CEB)

• How do we endure the challenges of leadership?
• What is the “joy set before us” that keeps us going?
• How can we lead with faith, resilience, and vision?

Join Rev. Dr. Seth David Clark for an engaging 90-minute session designed to equip, encourage, and refocus faith leaders on the long race of ministry. This interactive gathering includes:

• A thought-provoking leadership talk
• Small group breakout discussions
• A powerful time of sharing and encouragement
• Come ready to reflect, connect, and renew your endurance for the journey ahead!

Let’s run this race together—with endurance, faith, and joy!

April 10th, 2025

12:00-1:00pm EST

Via Zoom

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Calling clergy to a Noon time to pause and be invited into a guided meditation and contemplative practice of breath. Give yourself an hour to step away from divisive conversations, polarizing statements, stirring newsfeeds and intentionally pause and receive gentle nourishment from the Holy Spirit. Make this hour a choice to sit, breathe and feed your soul. Rev. Sandra Dorsainvil will lead a guided meditation and time of silence.

Click here to register by April 7th

Every 4th Tuesday of the Month

11:00 am EST

No registration required

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As we continue to find our way during difficult times, it's important to explore our feelings. Of one thing we can be sure, many of us are grieving. We are grieving the deaths of beloved family, church members, friends and strangers. We are grieving losses of safety, personal freedoms, economic stability, trust, and so much more. Yet, even when struggling, we show up, preaching a Word of hope and life. There are conversations we need to have.

To help you take care of yourselves, CBMM has scheduled monthly conversations for clergy and chaplains on Zoom to share your stories, lament, rejoice, grieve and talk about COVID-19, systemic racism and whatever else is on your minds and hearts.

Rev. Maggie Lewis will facilitate monthly dialogues to give you an opportunity to take a breath and acquire additional tools for coping over the long haul.

Join us! No need to register, whosoever will, please come.
 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86374572942?pwd=LzdoQ1lvU2RFYnNrV0g2UVJXYTdpQT09  

Meeting ID: 863 7457 2942 

Passcode: CBMM

Friday November 3, 1-5pm AND
Saturday November 4, 9-1pm
Virtual Class

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A Workshop on Clergy Ethics & Healthy Boundaries for Clergy and Candidates for Ministry

Co-sponsored by the Conference of Baptist Ministers in Massachusetts, the Center for Career Development and Ministry, and the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts

Workshop led by Executive Minister, Rev. Dr. Mary Miller, the American Baptist Churches of Massachusetts

This workshop meets the guidelines for Professional Ethics required by TABCOM for Ordination and Ministerial Standing.

You will receive a link and the digital workbook by email the week before class begins.

Healthy boundaries are a gift. They are helpful guidelines that give shape to our relationships. Life-enriching relationships, whether with our spouse, family, friends, colleagues or parishioners, require healthy boundaries.

This workshop explores the meaning and practice of healthy boundaries in the context of ministry. It will also identify the signs, dangers, and preventions of boundary violations.

Topics will include: Power and Vulnerability, Dating, Friendships, Dual Relationships, Gifts, The Pulpit, Transference, Hugging and Touch, Intimacy, Personal and Professional Health (Self-Care, Red Flags), and Social Media.

The workshop fee of $35 covers the cost of the program and workbook.

To complete the class and receive CEUs or to meet the standards for Ordination and Standing, you will need to submit a 1-page reflection after attending the workshop.

A "Healthy Boundaries" workshop is suggested for ALL persons in ministry; a "refresher" every fives years is also recommended.

ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

To register, contact Sylvia Lake at the Center for Career Development & Ministry. Email Sylvia at info@ccdmin,org or call (603) 943-7611.

Give her your name, address, phone, and email.

You may pay by credit card over the phone.
CBMM members may attend for free.

If you prefer to pay by check, please make the $35 check payable to:
The Center for Career Development and Ministry
121 Manchester Street

Nashua NH, 03064

Buffet Luncheon

Annual Meeting

250th Anniversary Celebration

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November 30th, 2023 from 11:00am-3:00pm

Tirrell Room 254 Quarry Street, Quincy, MA 

You're Invited!

The Massachusetts Baptist Charitable Society invites all ordained American Baptist Clergy and Pastors (current and retired) living in Massachusetts, along with their partners, to be our guests.*

*Note: All Ordained American Baptist Clergy in Massachusetts 

Regardless of where serving are members of the 

Massachusetts Baptist Charitable Society.

RSVP by November 15 to Doug Tatreau

69 Fort Point Rd, N. Weymouth, MA 02191

massbaptistcharitable@gmail.com

781-664-4266

Wendy Maxfield, Executive Secretary

P.O. Box 4003, Westford, MA 01886

Friday, September 22nd - Saturday, September 23rd

DoubleTree by Hilton Boston - Westborough

5400 Computer Drive 

Westborough, MA 01581

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A pastor must maintain work life balance during our crazy schedules.  We are so busy doing church work for so many years that we may sometimes let our busyness replace the true intimacy with God.  Jesus still invites us "Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you REST” Matthew 11:28. Perhaps you are burned out or isolated from fellow pastors or perhaps you are about to give up but the invitation from Jesus still stands. REST AND REJUVENATION: A GATHERING FOR PASTORS & SPOUSES is a place for you to Rest, Reflect, Reenergize and Reinvent. 

MBMM is able to offer some scholarship aid to pastors wishing to attend but who are limited by financial constraints. Anyone requesting assistance should contact Jim Leavitt at: jim@mbmm.org. 

Click here to learn more about the retreat and to register

Click here for hotel registration

*Hotel must be booked by August 23rd to receive reduced rate.

A Woman's Journey with God:
Engaging in the Spiritual Disciplines

By Moreen Hughes, CBMM Board Member

We wish Moreen a heartfelt congratulations on her recent book release!  

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Moreen Hughes, D.Min

As women, we know the importance of self-discipline for achieving our goals in life, be it career, fitness or relationships. But what about our spiritual life? Spiritual disciplines exist for the sole purpose of building character conducive to Christ's teachings, but we must be willing to make the journey.

In A Woman's Journey With God, Dr. Moreen P. Hughes presents a set of spiritual disciplines to help women develop Christlike character and become the best version of themselves. Exploring themes of spiritual formation, character development, and self-reflection, Hughes makes God personable and relatable and allows readers to see how small changes can have a big impact. Open your heart, be transformed, and live out God's divine intentions. 

You can purchase Moreen's book on Amazon, or at other book retailers!