"Nurturing of the Pastoral Imagination: Facing Challenges of the 21' Century Through Renewed Spiritual Growth" will allow me to dedicate eight weeks during June July 2005 to a concentrated study of and active participation in a program that will help me, I am convinced, at this juncture in my ministry to respond to the daily needs of a flourishing pastoral ministry. My overall objective is to continue to grow spiritually the way God wants me to grow and to shepherd his people. However, this eight week project allows me to initiate the first steps in directing this larger project within the framework of the new century

As designed Nurturing Pastoral Imagination is divided into four stages: (1) A two week intensive review of the current literature on spiritual growth and pastoral ministry, (2) one week internship with Pastor Dr. J. Alfred Smith at the Allen Temple Baptist Church, (3) Attending and networking at a one week conference on "Contemporary Issues in Ministry," and (4) Time to assess and reflect on the practical application of lessons learned during my sabbatical.

Ultimately, my goal is to discover ideas and practices that will reinvigorate the pastoral ministry in my context for future applications.