Flourishing Together

A Conference for Asian American Pastors and Ministry Leaders

You’re Invited

Ministry can be isolating - especially when few understand your cultural or church context. Whether you serve in an Asian American, multiethnic, or predominantly Anglo setting, you are invited to Flourishing Together - a one day gathering to connect, share wisdom, and support one another for the long journey of ministry.

It’s not just a conference - it’s about creating a community to connect.

Our keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Kevin Doi, Director of Pastoral Formation for the Asian American Center and Affiliate Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Fuller Theological Seminary.  In addition, local Atlanta Pastors Minho Chung (United Methodist Church) and Peter Lim (4Pointes Church) will be sharing wisdom from their many years of ministry experience.

We encourage you to take the day to invest in your pastoral leadership development.  This is our gift to you and it will be worthwhile!  

Schedule

9:00 AM Welcome and Light Breakfast

9:30 AM Morning Keynote Address: “Holding Grief Together: Ministry Trauma in Pastoral Ministry” presented by Dr. Kevin Doi

11:15 AM Pastoral Response & Reflection “My Story and My Song: A Pastor’s Journey of Trauma, Restoration and Hope” by Rev. Min Ho Chung

12:00 PM Lunch & Table Conversations

1:00 PM Afternoon Keynote Address: “Staying Human: Sabbath Wellbeing and Community Care as Pastoral Practice” by Dr. Kevin Doi

2:15 PM Pastoral Response & Practical Application: “Finding the Rhythm of Balance: A Pastor’s Journey” by Rev. Peter Lim

3:00 PM Community Debrief and Closing

4:00 PM End

About the Keynote Messages

Holding Grief Together: Ministry Trauma in Pastoral Ministry

Pastoral ministry is a holy and sacred calling yet caring has its costs. In the Asian American context, it is a highly relational work. Anyone who has ever pastored a church will tell you how challenging and demanding it can be in ways very few people know or can appreciate.  Mounting losses, crisis intervention, managing personalities, and constant criticism can take a heavy toll on our spirits, bodies, and families. This presentation names and acknowledges the various ministry traumas that pastors experience and suggests both individual and communal practices for grieving and self-compassion that promote healing and sustainability.

Staying Human: Sabbath Wellbeing and Community Care as Pastoral Practice

Pastors desire that their ministries and communities flourish and grow. But whether for theological, cultural, or emotional reasons, many Asian American pastors realize this can often equate to increased pressure and stress and simply overworking or over functioning. In the process, we don’t allow ourselves to be human—especially when our congregations won’t allow their pastors to be human either—often resulting in exhaustion, isolation, and being unwell. This presentation invites practices of spaciousness, connection, and wellbeing that recover the humanity of ministers (and congregations) as necessary and vital acts of resistance and faith.

About our Speaker

Kevin Doi is Director of Pastoral Formation for the Asian American Center, Director of the Asian American Ministry DMin Cohort, and Affiliate Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Fuller Seminary. Dr. Doi is a spiritual director, former seminary chaplain, and an ordained American Baptist minister with over 30 years of pastoral ministry experience as a senior pastor and founder of multiple church plants and non-profits. Kevin earned his DMin in Contextual Theology from Northern Seminary and MDiv from Fuller Seminary. Kevin and spouse Dorene reside in Diamond Bar, CA, and have two adult children.

Flourishing Together is sponsored by: