About The IECCD
Who We Are
The IECCD provides early career clergy with the tools for transformational and sustainable ministry in the 21st century. Through coaching, education, leadership development, early career clergy learn the best practices for challenging their congregations to be bolder in their faith and outreach. The IECCD is a place of ministerial support for early career clergy of all denominations, a place where they can consult with pastors who are in a similar ministry and missional setting. It is a place for clergy to receive practical tools.
It is also a place that seeks to be bold by exploring challenges that affect the church including the LGBTQIA+ community, #BlackLivesMatter, systemic racism, and immigration rights. It is a place for clergy who want to be change agents in their communities, but who don’t quite have the tools to do so. It is a place for clergy who serve congregations whose membership reflects the vast political spectrum of American politics. It is a place where clergy who want to learn how to address these issues within their congregations can turn. It is also a place where we recognize a person’s call to ministry and we help them understand what that call means in the 21st century.
In addition to our comprehensive Early Career Clergy Leadership Cohort, we also offer classes through the Center for Continuing Education, The School for Spiritual Discipline Beyond Borders certification program and our Annual Transformation Retreat. Each of these are designed specifically to support early-career, rural and small member church clergy. Continuing Education and the Spiritual Discipline training program are open to lay people as well.
Leadership Cohort
The Early Career Clergy Leadership Cohort partners early career clergy in their second through seventh year serving as church pastors with senior career clergy Mentors. In addition to one-on-one mentorship, The Cohort will also participate in Small Groups to allow you to delve deeper into each module, build relationships and share best practices in Ministry within your group.
Annual Transformation Retreat
The Annual Transformation Retreat is a two-day event which explore topics that are critical to 21st century ministry. The 2021 Retreat, The Church and Race will be held in late Spring.
Center for Continuing Education
Continuing Education classes are offered throughout the year. Click on the Center for Continuing Education button below to view our current offerings and to register for classes.
School for Spiritual Direction Beyond Borders
Our Team

Rev. Kimberly Clarke Turner
Director
BA, Tufts University
Duke Divinity School (coursework toward M.A.C.P. — Youth Ministry concentration)
Master of Divinity Student, Hood Theological Seminary
Pastor, Triad Native American UMC, Greensboro, NC, Western North Carolina Conference

Rev. Dr. Lamont Foster
Clergy Advisor
BS, University of Connecticut
M.A., North Carolina Central University
Ed.D., Appalachian State University
MDiv, DMin., Hood Theological Seminary
Pastor, St. John AME Zion Church, Wilson, NC

Rev. Dr. Jim Wadford
Clergy Advisor
BA, Central Wesleyan College
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
D.Min., Drew Theological Seminary
Director, Doctor of Ministry Program, Hood Theological Seminary