To better serve and connect with C4SO’s geographically disperse clergy, Bishop Todd Hunter has begun gathering small groups for spiritual and ministry formation in his Lake Elsinore, California, home. A pilot group of six men and women met October 26-27, enjoying one-on-one time with the Bishop, relaxed group conversation, and his wife Debbie’s homemade enchiladas and berry cobbler.

“My vision was to give our clergy a formative retreat, and coming to my house made it as personal as possible,” Bishop Todd says. “We’re spread out from the East to West coast, and I wanted to spend quality time together, serving them and getting to know them better.”

“The Bishop’s Table” provided a warm and welcoming two days for clergy participants, who drove or flew in and stayed at a nearby hotel. The schedule included group time, shared meals, silence and individual spiritual direction with the Bishop.

“When I spent alone time with people, some of it was deeply personal, and some was more ministry consultation—that’s all fine with me,” Bishop Todd says. “I wanted them to be able to set the agenda.”

Bishop Todd modeled The Bishop’s Table off experiences he’s had with his own mentors. “The times I was able to spend time with Eugene Peterson in his home, I found to be very meaningful,” he says. “It’s a different sort of growth experience afforded to you.”

Pilot participants, like the Rev. Erik Willits, echoed that assessment. “To be face to face and share meals, stories, and meaningful interactions with a group of clergy led by the bishop was a significant time of spiritual encouragement for me,” he says.

Another pilot participant, the Rev. Janna Mahoney Ziegler, says The Bishop’s Table was a gift in the midst of the activity of her life. “It allowed me to spend some time being cared for by our bishop,” she says. “It reminded me that I not only pastor, lead, and form the church but am also being pastored, led, and formed.”

Bishop Todd has placed dates on the calendar for the next several gatherings, and invites all C4SO clergy to sign up to participate in The Bishop’s Table in 2018. He plans to keep the groups around five or six participants, and make the meetings a few hours longer to benefit clergy who are traveling long distances. For Bishop Todd, the highlight of the pilot was finding a great mix of internal work and professional development, and how much participants enjoyed being together.

“I noticed that on the second day when they had the opportunity for alone time, they chose spontaneously to be together,” Bishop Todd says. “It was so obvious that what was happening was good.”

Participant the Rev. Cynthia Stansbury enjoyed the fellowship with her peers, as well as the entire Bishop’s Table experience. “It was so great to be welcomed into Bishop Todd’s home and have time for quiet reflection, teaching, and fellowship with the bishop and other clergy.”

Email Lisa if you are interested in participating in The Bishop’s Table in 2018. Please include your preferred date(s).

January 25-26 
March 8-9
July 19-20
October 24-25
November 29-30