Wednesday Gatherings

At this week’s Wednesday Gathering, Rev. Brian E. Smith Smith will lead a panel conversation based upon the unique experience of serving clergy leaders over the past 4 years both during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterwards. He is joined by Ms. Rebecca Reilly of the Catholic Leadership Institute, Rev. Dr. James Foster, and Mr. Larry Love, all of whom part of the CTS-CLI Lily National Clergy Wellness Initiative. They will discuss their plans and strategies for addressing clergy wellness and flourishing.

This event will be hybrid. The in-person portion will be followed by community lunch.

Join us: https://ctschicago-edu.zoom.us/j/97135339976

About the Panelists:

Rev. Dr. James Foster is a distinguished spiritual advisor and certified leadership coach with over 20 years of experience, specializing in guiding high achievers who have two things in common- they are people of faith, and they know deep down inside that there is more. In other words, they are not just concerned with money or the brass ring. They are also concerned with who they are becoming in the process.

His extensive qualifications and profound insights make him a leading personal and spiritual development figure. Rev. Dr. Foster holds a Ph.D. in historical and theological studies, which showcases his deep academic understanding of the theological landscape. He has also completed an Executive Scholar certification in leadership coaching from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, emphasizing his commitment to excellence in leadership development. He is also certified in Leading Change in Nonprofit Organizations.

Operating at the intersection of theological studies, spiritual formation, leadership, and pastoral development, Rev. Dr. Foster offers a unique perspective on church growth and leadership. His Christ-centered contemporary theology deeply engages with communities, promoting a lead-from-the-front approach to church development. In addition to his academic and coaching accomplishments, Rev. Dr. Foster is a sought-after presenter at various conferences and seminars, sharing his insights on innovative ministry incubation and development.

His role as a mentor and coach in church leadership further demonstrates his dedication to nurturing future leaders. Rev. Dr. Foster firmly believes that success requires courage, a quality he sees as intrinsically connected to spirituality. He often emphasizes, “Trying to create sustainable results and work on your business before you deal with your spirit is like stepping over a pile of one-hundred-dollar bills to pick up one old rusty dime.” This philosophy underpins his spiritual advising and coaching approach, helping clients achieve their professional and spiritual aspirations.

Rev. Dr. Foster is dedicated to facilitating powerful shifts in the lives of leaders, grounded in faith-based guidance, and offering personalized strategies and ongoing support. With his guidance, clients can achieve their goals, deepen relationships, enhance their careers, and experience a more balanced and purposeful life while remaining connected to their faith.

Larry B. Love, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS, is the owner of Movementum Health and Performance located in Westmont, IL. Larry received his Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine from Illinois State University and completed his Masters of Science degree in Health and Wellness Psychology from the University of the Rockies. Larry is both Board Certified and Licensed through the governances of the Illinois and National Athletic Trainer’s Associations. Additionally, Larry is Board Certified through the clinical governance of the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Larry’s mission of “Feeling as good as you look and looking as good as you feel” aligns with his clinical experience as a Sports Medicine Specialist which takes a prevention to performance perspective. Larry’s practice particularly focuses on active and special needs populations that include orthopedic and performance, youth and motor skill enhancement, weight loss and corrective exercise, geriatrics, lifestyle coaching/education and special disease populations (i.e. diabetes, hypertension, and MS). As a Sports Medicine Specialist, Larry has optimized the levels of many professional, youth, and recreational athletes for over 20 years. Larry specializes in evaluation, prevention, treatment, and functional rehabilitation of all movement and athletic injuries. He also combines his clinical training with fitness and corrective lifestyle certifications to bring an integrated wellness aspect to his programming.  This dual focus on sports/movement performance and overall well-being creates a sought after philosophy in the industry that has made him a speaker, trainer, mentor, and performance coach in heavy demand. Larry also has earned a Master’s Certification as a Life Potential Practitioner from the Institute for Professional Empowerment Coaching. This Certification has helped shape Larry’s life philosophy for creating and maintaining a life of balance by addressing one’s physical, behavioral, and personal challenges. Larry is active in volunteering on health committees and serving on various boards. Larry’s words to live by are “Movement is medicine” and “Be well.”

Rebecca Reilly is the Assistant Vice President of Philanthropy at the Catholic Leadership Institute. She was inspired to join the Catholic Leadership Institute in 2016 because of her love for faith, philanthropy, and leadership and currently serves as Director of Philanthropy. Professionally, Becky served as Executive Director of Development for the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Director of Development for the College of Arts & Sciences at Drexel University, Director of Development & Communications at AIM Academy, Director of the Annual Fund at Malvern Preparatory School, and Associate Director of Athletic Development at Saint Joseph’s University. In the for-profit space, she served as cofounder of an online-learning company and VP of Operations at a marketing and technology company. Becky is always on the run for a good cause, and her personal motto in her faith, philanthropy, and family life is “go the extra mile.” Becky, her husband, Brendan and their sons, Murphy and Finn, are members of St. Dorothy Parish in Drexel Hill.