Transforming Faith Communities
Mobilizing Congregational Identity for Neighborhood Mission
Faith communities face an overwhelming number of complex challenges today. Volunteering, attendance, and even affiliation are on the decline. Those who stay are often plagued by a pervasive sense of isolation and heated political polarization, in rapidly changing neighborhoods and technological landscapes. In the midst of this, we’re also learning how to live together in a context that reminds of us its fragilities: new viruses, floods, droughts and wildfires.
Your congregation wants to serve the community and transform the lives of its inhabitants, but too often, you’re stuck managing crisis after crisis.
It’s time to step out of crisis management mode and step into the call of your congregation’s identity.
Transforming Faith Communities gathers teams of 5 to 8 from the same congregation and guides them through a process to realign with that call, re-vision their life together, and reconnect with their neighborhood.
This free, one-year program guides your congregational team to implement changes that address and fit your unique situation and context. Our experienced staff will coach your team as you work together to create opportunities in response to the post-pandemic landscape of your particular context. By participating, your faith community becomes eligible to receive grant funds to support your growth.
Together, you can transform your faith community, your neighborhood, and the future.
If you think this program might be a good fit for your congregation, talk to your lead pastor and then click below to fill out an interest form to start the conversation.
Join a cohort of change-makers to learn how to better serve your congregations and communities. With our support, you will:
- Develop as a congregational leadership team of 5-8 people to work toward shared goals and identity.
- Discover your congregation’s identity through storytelling.
- Identify your neighborhood’s needs, resources, and desires through community interviews.
- Design an initiative and create partnerships to meet the needs of your neighborhood in a way that aligns with your congregational identity.
- Be eligible for grant funding (up to $8,000) and coaching to implement the initiative you’ve designed.
4 Onsite Workshops
At The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle
- February 18, 2023┃Congregational Identity
- May 20, 2023┃Neighborhood Engagement
- September 16, 2023┃Design Thinking for Mission
- February 17, 2024┃Preparing to Implement Change
3 Virtual Workshops
- March 28, 2023
- June 20, 2023
- November 14, 2023
From left to right:
Kate Rae Davis, MDiv; Dr. Rose Madrid Swetman; Bishop Melissa Skelton; Andrea Sielaff, MA; Dr. J. Derek McNeil
More coaches to be announced soon