Cohorts are about community, learning, networking, resources, and "a space where I don't feel so alone."
Cohorts in the Michigan Conference offer leaders regular meeting times with others in similar positions or interests. They have made a profound impact on leaders in Michigan and beyond. Past cohort participants have described the cohorts as a place for "community and relationship with people who do the same thing," "building networks and resources," "developing self-confidence to try new things," and "learning opportunities." Please get in touch with Rev. Kathy Pittenger for more information.
In 2025, we will be offering short-term cohorts in the fall and school-year cohorts from September 2025-April 2026, to align with the school calendar.
Cohorts will include:
Fall:
- Book Study: Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn't Have to Heal From by Meredith Miller (Amazon) (Bookshop)
- Adaptive Leadership in Faith Formation Ministries
- Generation Alpha
- Deepening Discipleship
School-year:
- Children & Youth Ministry Leaders
- Youth Ministry Leaders
"The seasoned cohort has been God-sent. For many years, I wished to have a group that I could talk and share ideas with regarding Children's Ministry. I have thoroughly enjoyed building a community with others in Christian Education. I look forward to continuing to work with the seasoned cohort for many more years." - Becky Lorenz, Big Beaver UMC, Troy, MI
What's Included?
All cohorts will be led by trained facilitators. The cohort fee helps support facilitators' and guests' honoraria and other expenses. In 2025, cohort costs will be subsidized by the Connectional Ministries budget from local church Ministry Shares to keep registration fees lower. If the cost is a barrier, please reach out to Kathy Pittenger.
Book Study
Join fellow children's ministry leaders for an engaging and thoughtful discussion of Woven by Meredith Ann Miller—a fresh and compelling guide to teaching the Bible in a way that centers God's character, not just isolated stories or moral lessons. Miller invites ministry leaders to shift their approach from telling kids what to think, to helping them discover who God is in the unfolding narrative of Scripture.
This discussion group will explore ways to create faith-forming environments where kids can wonder, wrestle, and grow. Whether you're a seasoned leader or new to children’s ministry, this book will spark meaningful conversation and provide a vision for a more relational and story-centered way of walking with kids in their faith.
We will meet on Zoom.
Facilitator: Rachel Lunning
Dates: Every Tuesday from October 7 - November 11 (6 weeks)
Time: 10:00am - 11:00am (EST)/9:00 am-10:00am (CST)
Cost: $25-$75 (sliding scale), and you are responsible for obtaining a copy of the book (Amazon) (Bookshop) or your favorite library or bookseller
Generation Alpha
Designed for ministry leaders working with children born between 2010 and 2024, the Gen Alpha Cohort blends theory and practice to help you understand and engage this emerging group. Build a practical toolbox filled with ready-to-use ideas, resources, and strategies—plus insight into what to avoid. You'll gain access to curated websites, articles, and tools to support meaningful ministry with Gen Alpha starting now.
Facilitators: Dr. Brittney and Zach Schrick
Dates: 4 Tuesdays, September 9 and 23; October 7 and 21
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm (EST)/1:00pm-2:00pm (CST)
Cost: $99-$199 (sliding scale, you select the amount that works for your budget)
Adaptive Leadership in Faith Formation Ministries
In a rapidly changing world, faith formation ministries require leaders who can navigate complexity with creativity and resilience. Adaptive Leadership in Faith Formation Ministries is a cohort designed to equip ministry leaders with the tools and insights needed to adapt to evolving challenges while staying rooted in their mission and purpose.
Through collaborative learning, discussions, relevant scenarios, and relevant assignments, participants will explore strategies for leading with flexibility, fostering innovation, and addressing the unique needs of their ministry contexts.
Cancelled due to lack of registrations
Deepening Discipleship
The Deepening Discipleship cohort will focus on discipleship pathways. Churches who are currently using a discipleship pathway will be invited to share their process and what they have learned - both the successes and challenges. We will also build in time for cohort members to share their ideas, celebrations, and challenges and offer support to one another. The date and time for the meetings will be determined based on those in the cohort.
Cancelled due to lack of registrations
Children & Youth Ministry Leaders
This year we will be trying something a little different than previous ministry cohorts. This group will incorporate leaders in children and youth ministry to join together to learn, grow, mentor and find community together.
The group will decide topics based on interest, need, and growth areas. We will decide what looks best for us in September at our first meeting and grow together from there. This is a choose our own adventure cohort! I am so looking forward to the journey we will walk together as we grow, learn and get to know each other! Peace ❤️
Facilitator: Erica Kozlowski
Dates: 4th Thursday of the month from September 2025 through April 2026 (November & December will be on the 3rd Thursday)
Time: 10am - 11:30am (eastern); 9am - 10:30am (central)
Cost: $149-$249
Youth Ministry Leaders
Thirty years ago, youth ministry was successful because kids were looking for places to socialize and parents wanted a place for their kids to be molded into good, upright citizens who didn’t have sex, smoke, or do drugs. Much of youth ministry was framed as a reaction to these fears. Today, our young people are not really looking for more things to fill their time. When they are not on the sports field, or playing music, or cramming for AP Finals or spending all weekend at robotics tournaments they are looking for connection, which often comes as feedback and validation on social media. If they have any desire for spiritual connection, then church engagement and youth group is the thing they come to when there’s nothing else to do. What then does “successful” youth ministry look like in this age? Should we even bother? (the answer is yes). This cohort will lead us through three questions. Why do we do youth ministry? How do we do youth ministry? And finally, How do we as youth workers care for our own souls in the deeply challenging work of youth ministry?
The cohort will meet virtually, once a month October through April for 90 minutes each session. October through January we will draw from Andrew Root’s book “The end of youth ministry” to guide conversation about practice and theory in youth ministry. February through April we’ll use an updated classic, “”The Godbearing Life” to discuss the vital work of tending our own souls in youth ministry. Reading the books is encouraged but optional.
Facilitator: Rev. Matt Weiler
Dates: Once a month on the third Monday starting in October 2025 through April 2026
Time: 11am - 1pm (eastern); 10am-12pm (central)
Cost: $99-$199
Contemplative Cohort
Meets on Zoom to practice contemplative prayer in various forms. Participants come when they are able and have varied experiences with contemplative prayer. Contact Lisa Batten for more information.
Meet the Facilitators
Erica Kozlowski
My name is Erica Kozlowski and I am the Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Central United Methodist church in downtown Traverse City, MI. I am mom to Isabelle and Aria, bonus mom to Gage, and wife to Kevin. I am always excited to learn new things, meet new people, and just grow in all the ways! I’m super creative, musical, and enjoy going to the beach, disc golfing, kayaking, hiking and just being out in nature! We are a family of explorers who like to check out new things, and it’s always a new adventure.
Rachel Lunning
Rachel Lunning (she/her) is the Children and Family Ministry Director at First United Methodist Church Northville. She has been working in children’s ministry since 2019. Using her background in early childhood education, she loves creating spaces for young children to explore their faith in engaging and impactful ways. Outside of ministry, Rachel enjoys chai lattes, singing with her barbershop chorus, and trips to the art museum. She lives in South Lyon with her husband and two sons.
Dr. Brittney & Zach Schrick
Dr. Brittney Schrick is Associate Professor and Family Life Specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. She curates and creates training and resources related to marriage, parenting, family life, and mental health. Working in higher education for over 20 years and a ministry spouse for 15, Dr. Schrick has a unique perspective on human development, family dynamics, and mental health that informs her approach to training parents and other grown-ups interacting with children and youth.
Zach is the Director of Youth Ministries at First UMC in Conway, Arkansas, and is the Coordinator of the Arkansas Conference Council on Youth Ministry. Zach has over 15 years of youth ministry experience.
They live in Conway, Arkansas, with their three daughters and three dogs.
Rev. Matt Weiler
Rev. Matt Weiler has 20 years of youth ministry experience. Currently he is serving as a pastor at Kalamazoo First United Methodist Church.
If you have a suggestion for a cohort or are interested in a listed cohort if it was offered at a different time, please contact Rev. Kathy Pittenger.