What are Micah Groups? Micah Groups are preacher-formation groups. They will nurture the integration of worship, preaching, and justice in their own lives and in the lives of their congregations.  Each preacher is encouraged to find their own particular voice and to grow into their full capacity as an empowered, wise preacher.

Who is in a Micah Group? Micah Groups are composed of men and women from varied denominational, racial, and ecclesiastical contexts.  We believe preacher-formation happens in stimulating, reflective, diverse community.  Each group has 12 preachers and 2 facilitating leaders and the groups meet for two day-retreats, and also every other month for four hours over two years.

What do Micah Groups do? They engage the content specially put together for them by the Institute and primarily provided through the Micah Group portal of the Institute’s website. These resources are created and aggregated from across the range of Fuller faculty, preachers around the country, preachers around the world, partnering organizations, and wider cultural voices. Click here to see a sampling of Micah Groups curriculum. The full resources are available to those in the Micah Groups. Each pastor and their congregation make a commitment to support. 

When and where do they meet?  New Micah Groups are forming now and will begin meeting in March 2012 in areas all over the United States as well as internationally. The first Micah Groups began in March 2011 in the seven regions where Fuller has campuses (Denver, Houston, Orange County, Pasadena, Phoenix, San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle). See below for feedback from 2011 Micah Group members.

Interested in starting or joining a Micah Group?  Our hope is that each winter new Micah Groups will form wherever there is a desire and commitment to do so, eventually having groups in all 50 states.  If you are interested in learning more about Micah Groups, please contact Nancy Walters, Micah Groups Director.

Here's what current Micah Group members are saying about their experience:

Thus far the Micah Group has helped me re-discover that being faithful as a pastor isn’t as much about working on preaching as it is about cultivating the spiritual life of the preacher.
—Rev. Bart Garrett, Christ Church

The demands of ministry are constant, and time for meaningful conversation with colleagues always takes a back seat to the daily details of parish ministry. Our Micah Group is a ministry oasis for me! Our time together feeds my soul, and our shared passion for justice energizes me to be the shepherd God has called me to be. 
—Rev. Renee Gaston Hoke, Cypress Creek Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

I have stacks of books on sermon preparation, and there’s no shortage of conferences or web resources that give me tips about how to connect with this generation, but so much of the material out there is technique-driven. I love the focus that Micah Groups place on wisdom. It’s about being before doing. And I love the diverse, non-competitive, relational context that my Micah Group provides for becoming a person of wisdom. I only wish we could meet more often!
—Rev. Brad Wong, The River Church Community

Being with other like-minded pastors, as a chaplain in outreach, has been a wonderful connection to a community which was previously difficult to maintain because of varied schedules and general disinterest of many local churches in regard to caring for our Colorado prison population. The relationships are heartfelt, developing, and compassionate.
—Linda Vecchiarelli, Living Tower Church Prison Ministry

The Micah Group took me by surprise and exceeded my skeptical expectation. The call to examine my personal integrity in my relationship with God and the offer of accountability with no condemnation was encouraging. The stories and journey of the brethren who are not perfect but dedicated to God humbled me and inspired me to let my wounded wings heal...
—Dr. Daniel Haupt, Voice of Destiny Ministry

My Micah Group has been a source of renewal of passion and vision. To be prayed over, to be challenged, to be called toward authenticity, and to be inspired are just some of the fruit that God is bringing forth in me, and this is only after 2 meetings!
—Rev. Paul Schultz, Rockland Community Church

Despite the diversity of opinions in the Presbyterian Church (USA), I find us a little narrow in our thinking many times. My interdenominational and multicultural Micah Group helps me with other perspectives. The message of justice crosses boundaries and causes us to act with more compassion for our neighbors.                                          
—Rev. Lynn Hargrove, St. Giles Presbyterian Church

Not only is the content intriguing, but the discussions are dynamic and challenging, leaving me with much more to chew on than I arrived with. My experience is all the more richer with each meeting, receiving an impartation of perspective, experience, and depth that I would not have otherwise.  
—Lawrence Huey, Epicentre Church