The 2026 Barnabas Cohort Begins March 1
- Central Kentucky Network of Baptists
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
A Transformative Year for Pastoral Leadership
Get ready to transform your leadership skills and strengthen your community ties. The Central Kentucky Network of Baptists (CKNB) is excited to announce the launch of our second Barnabas Team Learning Cohort, officially beginning March 1 (with initial gatherings at the end of February).
This year-long experience is crafted specifically for pastors who are eager to grow in their assessment, relational, and leadership skills while walking alongside others who understand the unique challenges of ministry.
What Is the Barnabas Cohort?
The Barnabas Cohort is more than a program — it is an engaging, collaborative learning experience designed to cultivate growth, resilience, and encouragement among pastors.
Last year, the inaugural cohort began with a group of seven pastors who met regularly for meaningful dialogue, book studies, prayer, and mutual support. Their focus centered on pastoral leadership for today’s church — making every conversation relevant, practical, and immediately applicable.
Cohort meetings include:
Weekly Zoom gatherings
One in-person meeting each month
Structured discussions and collaborative learning
Conversations with experienced ministry leaders
Practical leadership resources and book studies
Participants previously engaged books such as The Emotionally Healthy Leader, connecting biblical wisdom with the emotional and relational realities pastors face every day.
The rhythm of weekly connection and monthly in-person fellowship creates both consistency and depth — fostering trust, accountability, and authentic growth.
A Safe Place to Grow
In a recent episode of the Together for the Bluegrass podcast, alumni of the Barnabas Cohort shared how impactful this experience was for their ministries.
One recurring theme was this: the power of being heard and supported in a safe environment.
Pastors described the cohort as a place where they could speak honestly about challenges, celebrate wins, and process difficult situations without fear of judgment. The relational depth built over time created not just professional sharpening — but genuine friendship.
Pastor CJ Pearce of White Sulphur Baptist in Georgetown reflected:
“I greatly benefitted and grew from this experience. I recommend pastors consider joining the cohort this year.”
Other participants echoed similar sentiments in the podcast conversation, noting how the shared learning environment strengthened their confidence, sharpened their discernment, and renewed their sense of calling.
How Will You Benefit?
Whether you are seasoned in ministry or newer to church leadership, the Barnabas Cohort offers measurable and meaningful growth.
Participants have reported:
Increased confidence in navigating conflict and difficult conversations
Greater clarity in leadership assessment and decision-making
Strengthened strategies for congregational care and community engagement
Renewed emotional and spiritual health
Some pastors even implemented outreach strategies discussed in the cohort that significantly increased community engagement in their congregations.
But beyond strategies and statistics, the greatest benefit may be the camaraderie. Ministry can feel isolating. The Barnabas Cohort builds a trusted network of fellow leaders who continue supporting one another long after the formal sessions end.
Why Now?
The church landscape is changing rapidly. Cultural shifts, leadership pressures, and congregational needs require adaptive, emotionally healthy, and biblically grounded leadership.
This is a pivotal moment to invest intentionally in your growth.
By joining the Barnabas Cohort, you are not simply developing new skills — you are becoming part of a movement of pastors committed to leading faithfully, wisely, and courageously in this season.
The relationships built during the cohort extend well beyond meetings. Participants from the first cohort remain connected, offering encouragement and insight to one another during transitions, challenges, and opportunities.
That kind of enduring support is invaluable.
How to Join
If you are ready to be part of the second generation of the Barnabas Cohort, now is the time.
Spots are limited to preserve the relational depth and effectiveness of the group.
Reach out today to:
David Barron📧 david.barron@cknb.org
The only requirement is a genuine desire for personal and communal growth.
Final Thoughts
Strong pastoral leadership is essential for healthy congregations and thriving communities. The Barnabas Team Learning Cohort offers a unique opportunity for growth, innovation, encouragement, and meaningful connection within today’s ministry landscape. If you’re eager to learn alongside other pastors, challenge yourself, and experience a vibrant, supportive community, the 2026 Barnabas Cohort is for you. Join us beginning March 1.
Together, we will cultivate a learning culture that equips pastors to lead with confidence, clarity, and compassion — and watch your ministry flourish in ways you never imagined possible.
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