• FIRST COHORTS

  First cohorts are designed for individuals in the first three years of their vocational ministry role. These groups will be comprised of 5-7 peers partnered with an experienced mentor-coach (this will be an OCC faculty/staff member or seasoned ministry leader). These groups will be determined by ministry role, and will focus on tackling real-world ministry challenges throughout a two-year commitment, including:

  · Monthly zoom group meetings

  · Bi-monthly one-on-one coaching sessions

  · An in-person retreat during your second year

  These cohorts are scheduled to launch August 2026 and will last through August 2028.

  This format will be an active coaching dynamic, not a lecture series, accountability group, or counseling.

  Investment

  $50/month (includes the retreat)
  *Cohort Launch Special: Pay only $25/month (August 2026-December 2026)

  Scholarships: Financial assistance is available (Many churches will also cover this from their development budget!)

  For the Pastor’s Wife

  We recognize the unique position of a pastor's wife. So we are offering a specific cohort for wives of new pastors. If you both join, your spouse gets the first 5 months for free. Her cost is $25/month after that.

  Ready to invest in your longevity? Apply here by July 15, 2026.

  Interested in future First Cohort launches? Send “FIRST” to [email protected]

• FLOURISHING COHORTS (LAUNCHING 2027)

  Flourishing cohorts are designed for individuals who have been in ministry for over three years. This group will be made of 5-7 peers paired with an experienced ministry coach. You will work through both ministry and personal challenges and goals over a one-year commitment.

  Interested in future Flourishing Cohort launches? Send “FLOURISHING” to [email protected]

• FOCUSED COHORTS (COMING SOON)

  Focused cohorts are designed to serve as a consulting group to develop leaders in a specific ministry area. This group will include 20-25 ministry leaders who will receive teaching from and ask questions of a ministry expert. Each group will have a topic of emphasis and run for 4-6 sessions.

  We’d love to hear from you!

  Interested in future Focused Cohort launches? Send “FOCUSED” and any topic(s) of interest, to [email protected]

Ministry Cohorts FAQs

• Which cohort is right for me?

  The main difference between a First and Flourishing cohort is the length of time you’ve served in vocational ministry. We recommend a First Cohort if you’ve served 3 years or less and a Flourishing Cohort if you’ve served over 3 years.

  Focused Cohorts are great for any ministry leader who wants to improve in a particular area of ministry.

• What if I’m interested in serving as a mentor or coach?

  Complete this short form to introduce yourself to us. We carefully recruit our coaches and do so once or twice a year. We’ll hold onto your information and reach out when the timing and fit are right.

• What is the time commitment for the monthly group meetings and bi-monthly one-on-one coaching sessions?

  Each meeting and coaching session will typically last 60-90 minutes.

• What if I missed the application deadline?

  We will launch First and Flourishing cohorts throughout the year. Check back often for updated application deadlines.

• Are scholarships available?

  Scholarships are available for First Cohorts based on financial need. A link to the scholarship application can be found inside the First Cohort application.

  Consider asking your church or organization to help cover the cost of your cohort. A professional development or conference budget can go towards this.

• What does the in-person retreat entail, and are travel costs included?

  Your monthly investment to participate in cohorts will cover your lodging, food, and all activities during the in-person retreat. You’ll just need to arrange and cover the cost of your own travel.

• Who will be my coach?

  A trusted ministry leader who believes in you and is equipped to partner in your growth.

• What if I don’t like my cohort?

  We understand the importance of feeling safe and connected with your cohort. We do our best to match you with the right people from the start. If it turns out it isn’t a good fit, we will work with you to find a solution.

• Can I continue participating if my ministry role changes during the two-year commitment?

  We understand that transitions happen. We will work with you to navigate any role transition to ensure you don’t experience a lag in support.

• I see that Flourishing and Focused cohorts are ‘coming soon’. Can I join a waiting list?

  We would love to hear from you! Contact us at [email protected] to be added to our waiting list for future Flourishing or Focused cohort opportunities.

• What happens if I miss a monthly Zoom meeting or individual coaching session?

  We understand that ministry emergencies happen. We also know that a healthy community thrives on consistency. To protect the organic, high-trust environment of our small groups, we ask that participants make every effort to prioritize our meetings. If regular, non-emergency lapses in attendance occur, your coach will reach out so you can look at the commitment together. We want to make sure this is the right season for you to participate, and if it isn't, we can discuss gracefully releasing you from the cohort so the group's close dynamic remains intact.