News & Resources

Dear ACPE Members,

As February quickly comes to a close, we are once again reminded that the days are long, but the months and years pass swiftly. The first 57 days of 2025 have already been among the longest some have ever experienced. Social and political ineptitude, accompanied by tragic events throughout the nation, continues to deepen a pervasive sense of grief. This weekend alone, we received numerous reports of senseless violence and tremendous loss. Our hearts are with colleagues who navigated their own shock and anguish to provide care and comfort to the families and communities directly affected.

Since 2020, we have heard that we are living in “unprecedented times,” the meaning of which broadens with each 24-hour news cycle. However, there is nothing new under the sun except, perhaps, the myriad of ways we are so often distracted from our assignments and commitments. Lately, everything has arrived to us carrying the gravitas of a priority. The universal exercise of our days has become capturing enough critical detail to appropriately discern the order in which to categorize and address the increasing matters before us. Through it all, we are reminded - through mental, spiritual, and emotional fatigue - that we human beings can only handle so much at any given moment. Neuroscience informs us that the brain will automatically stop processing information once it reaches its cognitive capacity limit. Attempting to push beyond this point is futile and even harmful. Our psychotherapist and counseling colleagues can attest to the mental health conditions one may encounter when we push ourselves past the brink.

The same goes for organizations like ACPE. Pushing ourselves past the brink to respond to every issue that presents itself as a priority is not good or healthy for us. While we have been in a downpour season, both internally and externally, we must choose to remain focused on strengthening our core foundation so that the next inevitable system of torrential rains does not leave us feeling tossed to and fro. This is not to say the ancillary issues on our radar will not be addressed, but we must concentrate on that which is most important before us today – the quality education of our students, care and support of one another as colleagues, and ensuring we operate with best organizational practices.

With this in mind, please continue reading for brief updates regarding recent and ongoing matters for ACPE.

1. APC/BCCI CPE Provider Criteria – Members of the ACPE and APC Executive Leadership teams met to discuss APC’s newly revised CPE Provider Criteria on February 21, 2025.  APC explained that the revision was necessary due to ACPE’s withdrawal from USDE recognition on 11/4/2024. Previously, BCCI’s criteria relied heavily on this provider attribute. APC was legally advised to establish a “fair and equitable” process to prevent antitrust allegations. As of February 2025, all potential CPE providers must apply. APC emphasized its desire to maintain a collegial and collaborative partnership with ACPE and strongly encouraged ACPE to apply as the largest provider (95%) of “top-notch” CPE. According to the APC website, the review process for full applications will be completed within 60 days. Approved CPE providers will undergo review every three years to assess their curriculum quality, program stability, and overall delivery of competency education.

• Given their concern and support for students currently in the process, the ACPE Board of Directors voted this week to submit the newly required application.
• ACPE, the organization, will apply. Once approved, APC/BCCI will again accept all accredited ACPE programs.
• Per Pat Appelhans, APC Executive Director, “Should ACPE choose to apply and be approved as a CPE provider, there will be absolutely no disruption to ACPE students that apply for certification with BCCI.”

Gratitude is extended to board members Jonathan Ball, Katherine Higgins, and David Carnish for their collaboration in completing the application on behalf of ACPE.

2. ACPE Recognition Task Force – The Recognition Task Force commenced on January 15^th to address current issues with accreditation and has largely completed Phase I of its work plan. Most of Phase I was focused on the forensic review of materials and processes leading up to ACPE’s recent decision to withdraw from USDE recognition. The workgroup transitioned into Phase II on February 22^nd, ahead of schedule. A virtual information session to share Phase I findings and Phase II activities of the Task Force with ACPE’s membership is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11^th at 12pm EST. Please click here to register to attend.

3. ACPE Hiring National Staff: We are still accepting applications for the Director of Education role via Emory University’s career site. This opportunity will remain posted until Friday, March 7^th. All interested parties are welcome to apply. Please note that the current developments within ACPE accreditation will impact the immediate tasks and responsibilities of this role. Top applicants must demonstrate an openness to change and great agility in learning and executing best accreditation practices. 

Applications for the Membership Engagement role are under review; interviews will begin next month.

4. ACPE Touchpoints: Given the constant change we are navigating on various fronts, the Professional Well-being Committee, Anti-Bias Workgroup, Curriculum Committee, and National Staff are collaborating to offer 1) timely information sessions related to national developments and 2) opportunities for the ACPE community to gather virtually to process together and care for one another during this hectic season. Planning has just gotten underway. More details about upcoming touchpoints and events will be shared in March.

Thanks and appreciation go out to Alvernia Disnew, Rebecca Highfield, Jo Hirschmann, Tiffany Kindred, Jasmine Okafor, and Jurgen Schwing for their partnership in this effort.

Friends, I join you in sensing how chaotic the world feels right now. Some days it is all I can do to keep my own wits about me. Nevertheless, I hold hope that we, as a collective, will remain open to receiving the special insight that will enable us to act in ways that make sense and allow us to boldly accomplish that which is good for this organization overall. 

Therefore, it is imperative to note that while some things must change, some things will not.

While we are angered and saddened by the highly unreasonable circumstances many of our dear colleagues face, rest assured that ACPE will remain ACPE! We will stay true to our principles and core values as a multi-ethnic, multi-faith, multi-disciplinary, and multi-personhood community of spiritual care professionals. While research teaches us that bias can be found in everyone based on how we each learn about the world, actions and attitudes that intentionally harm, discriminate against, and alienate members of our community will not be tolerated. We will continue curating an environment of inclusiveness and belonging within our organization and industry. We will uphold our Code of Ethics, holding each other accountable to safeguard the learning and professional journeys of every student and educator. We ALL must agree and ‘walk our talk’ to ensure ACPE is an authentic, caring, and respectful community despite the challenges of the day. We must honor the courageous efforts of those who started this work among us decades ago – George Poke, Urias Beverly, Cameron Byrd, Jo Clare Wilson, Pat Wilson Cone, Carlos Bell, Jap Keith, John Develder, Cecelia Williams, Bishop Teresa Snorton, Jim Corrigan, Jim Gibbons, Gale Kennebrew, Celsa Ayama-Coloma, Kathy Turner, Julie Hanada, Yoke-Lye Kwong, and many, many more – and continue building our legacy together. As our trailblazing Board Chair, Rev. Dr. Cecelia Ann Walker, stated this month, “... we have the responsibility to help the world see the sacred value, dignity, and worth of all human beings.”

Lastly, and to this end, I am excited to attend my first REM Invitational  this weekend where I will serve as the speaker for the annual banquet on Friday evening. I am honored and look forward to being with all who have traveled to Atlanta for this time of celebration (37 years), nourishment, and refreshing.  

I leave with you words from one of my heroes, Ambassador Andrew Young, who, in his spiritual memoir, A Way Out of No Way (1994), recounted numerous pivotal moments throughout his life when he had to decide to live courageously into his calling.

“I could not have predicted that my life nor the times in which I’ve lived would change in such meaningful ways… These changes all evolved through the actions of people – people of faith who courageously responded to the conflict, chaos, violence, and hatred around them with a mysterious but magnificent faith. These people believed that there is purpose in human existence and that the Creator of life and time, spirit and matter, somehow is present with his creatures and continues to be involved with ordinary men and women. These very people, in critical moments in their lives and history, received special insight and the courage and the will to act. Because of them, the world has changed. When seen in this context, life suddenly makes sense good things happen in the least likely situations, and a certain divine destiny seems fulfilled.”

As we continue to navigate tough terrains, please remember that your unwavering dedication to serving others, providing excellent spiritual support, and offering comfort in times of need is truly the heartbeat of ACPE’s mission. Your work reflects the love and compassion that the world desperately needs.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment, compassion, and enduring answer to your calling. May we remain anchored in faith and filled with hope for all that is possible and all that is to come.

With respect and immense gratitude,

Lynnett