Our Reach & Impact
The Transformative Power of Relationships is Catching on!
In just a few short years, The Center for Transforming Engagement has expanded our reach to share this exciting model for reimagining ministry. And it’s making a difference.
“Even still – 2+ years later, there probably isn’t a week when something from the program doesn’t come to mind in some helpful and guiding way in my life and ministry.” – Circle Participant
Individuals Worked With
In Grant Money (dollars) Received
Participating Organizations
Sponsors, Clients & Partners
Denominational Leadership
- The Episcopal Diocese of Olympia
- The PC(USA) Presbytery of the Northwest
- Vineyard USA
Churches:
- Federal Way Church of Christ
- Fairwood UMC
- St Luke’s Episcopal
- Maple Valley Church
- Evangelical Covenant Church
Nonprofits & Social Good Organizations:
- Street Psalms
- Parish Collective
- Rooted Good
- Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center
- Hispanic Access Foundation
- InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
- Common Table Collaborative
- Impact Movement and SW Indigenous Community
- The Center for Being Known
- Leaders’ Roundtable
- Krista Foundation
Academic Organizations
- Vancouver School of Theology
- Brehm Center at Fuller Theological Seminary
- Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School
- Association of Theological Schools
“The pandemic had derailed our sense of momentum. Having Transforming Communities to consult with us, train us, lead us and guide us has really gotten us unstuck.”
Ferdie Llenado, pastor of Fairwood United Methodist Church
“Transforming Communities gave us steps to know ourselves, know the community, and form partnerships. It laid the groundwork for things we wanted to do but we [previously] didn’t have the systems in place.”
Research and Publications
- Literature Review of Clergy Resilience and Recommendations for Future Research, Journal of Psychology and Theology, (2019).
- Narrative Processing Groups Help Pastoral Leaders Build Resilience to Face Trauma, ATS Colloquy Online, (2023).
- Resilience and Pastoral Leadership, Faith & Leadership, (2019).
- Effective Small Groups for Pastors and Other Christian Leaders: Building Resilience Through Narrative Process Circles, Center for Transforming Engagement, (2022).
- The Resilience Report, Center for Transforming Engagement, (2022).
- Flourishing in Service, Center for Transforming Engagement, (2022).
- Clergy Burnout Report, Center for Transforming Engagement, (2022).
- Transforming Engagement Blog
- Transforming Engagement Podcast
- Christ & Cascadia Online Journal
Some of Our Work
- Association of Theological Schools: “Building Resilience to Trauma into Theological Education with Narrative Process Peer Groups”
- Leadership Education at Duke Divinity: “Clergy Burnout”
- Hispanic Access Foundation: “Clergy Burnout”
- InterVarsity Christian Fellowship: “Resilience,” keynote presentation for NW regional staff
- Common Table Collaborative: “Best Practices for Effective Clergy Small Groups.”
- Impact Movement and SW Indigenous Community: “A Conversation on resilience”
- The Center for Being Known: “Belonging to Become”
- NW Coast Presbytery of the PC(USA): “Resilient Pastors & Congregations”
- Free Methodist Church: “Story as a Tool for Resilience,”
- Vineyard USA: “Resilience for church planting”
- Impact Movement: “Developing Resilience”
- Leaders’ Roundtable: “How We Gather Now”
- Evangelical Covenant Church: “Forming Resilience in Pastors”
- Instagram Live: “Creating Your Self-Care Menu”
- Resilience in Crisis Webinar Series
- Practical Resilience
- Resilience for Spiritual Caregivers
- Resilience for Mental Health Professionals
- Creating Your Self-Care Dashboard
“Our whole team had a wonderful experience, and I’d encourage any church that is feeling stuck–do this [Transforming Communities] program and be amazed at what God is going to show you. You will come through it encouraged, strengthened, and bonded with your people.”
John and Judith Hix, pastors of Seattle Vineyard church
“In August I will reach 29 years in ministry, and I’ve had some tremendous developmental opportunities in that time. But I can truly say that there are NONE that have influenced me so concretely and clearly as the [resilience program] has.”
“I feel so blessed to be part of this [resilience program] cohort. I am learning so much and see the opportunities to grow and develop new understanding and practices. I want to thank you all for what you do and the goodness, care, safety, and kindness that you bring to us and this work and discovery.”
Outcomes Stats for Circles
Capacity to tolerate stress:
81% reported growth
Self awareness:
81% reported growth
Ability to deal with conflict in your vocational context:
100% increased