After the wedding, Emmanuel Church
Athens, GA c. 2004

Ministry Emphases

Worship Leader
Believe less is more. Simplify the shape of worship and enrich its content with musical and liturgical variety. Worship under my leadership is vigorous and focused. Established healing ministry in several congregations most recently in 2009. Accustomed to attendance from 250 (summer) 1200 (Easter). Reprint liturgy for ease of use for visitors and children.

Preacher
Preaching styles vary from informal chatting to epic tall tales. Always preach with conviction and passion. People quote from my sermons and sometimes remember them longer than I do.

Crisis Minister
Pastoral care begins with a consistent vision of the parish as a safe place. I create safety by being a truth-teller. Good at pretending to be non-anxious. Leaders use my example to persevere in the face of resistance.

Transition Ministry
Create a climate in which people are empowered to state themselves. Successfully redeveloped several demoralized parish staffs. Coordinate and spotlight the talent and leadership of others. Mantra: "The system works for us; we don't work for the system!" Equally at home with people from all stations in life. Often spokesperson for the ignored and silenced.

Administrator
Recruit people for specific tasks with term limits. As an ENTJ cannot not lead (apologies to Roy Oswald). Competent with computer technology including web site design. Enthusiastic ecumenist.

The Reverend Peter Courtney
Home (706) 546-5281
Cell (706) 338-3246
pc@petercourtney.net

Mailing address:
127 Inverness Road
Athens, GA 30606

Words of the prophet Joel
are a motto for ministry:
"I will pour out my spirit on all flesh, your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young people shall see visions and
your old ones dream dreams."

Ministry Vision

The Church is spiritually alive for me when she

• respects the past and hopes for the future
• thirsts for scriptural interpretation of contemporary life
• acts as if laity and clergy alike really do share Jesus' ministry
• values competence, integrity, humor and vigor in pastoral leadership.

You can expect me to

• Act as if the Gospel demands rigorous honesty-- from the preacher.
• Form a strong, professional staff to support the ministry of the baptized.
• Design worship that respects The Book of Common Prayer and occasionally stretches it.
• Arrive in jump-start mode and when I leave the last you will see of me is my taillights.
• Focus on the interim tasks of
  • coming to terms with history
  • accepting identity
  • connecting with the diocese
  • shaping new leadership
  • welcoming the new rector.
• Vigorously promote the traditional Anglican values of inclusion,theological generosity, and the centrality of common prayer.
• Value relationship over being right
• Laugh and sing!

Personal
Debby Perry and I married each other in November of 1986. She and I have four children— all launched with life plans. We have five grandsons and two granddaughters. We enjoy travel, entertaining, music, and life in the mix of any community we call home. I am a happy, energized person who looks forward to each day as it comes. Sawdust from furniture building and pen turning keeps me grounded. Retirement is about new frontiers.