Sustaining Pastoral Excellence (SPE) is an interdenominational ministry of Memphis Theological Seminary committed to supporting pastors and congregations for continued excellence in Christian ministry. Working with pastors, their families, and congregations, we help ministers discover and maintain wholeness in life and ministry through the balancing of scholarship, piety, justice, and health.
Encouraging wholeness in life and ministry
Excellence in pastoral ministry is a gift of the healing and sustaining grace of God in the life of the whole person. Through faithful relatedness to God and others, good pastors maintain balance (wholeness) in their lives and ministries. We have learned that the following practices all contribute to the health and vitality of the minister as he or she seeks to be faithful to God, to their family members, and to the Christian congregation and wider world
Supporting collegial and accountable learning experiences
SPE works directly with clergy families, congregations, and community partners as it weaves a network of support for Christian pastors by providing health and counseling services and educational opportunities for all participants. Since 2002, SPE has supported over 100 Christian pastors and congregations from ten different denominations in the greater area of Memphis, Tennessee.