3 Key Emphases of Focus for
The Community of Churches (CC)
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Care for Pastor and Congregation
Flowing out of the Convening of Concerned Congregations in August (2024) one of the primary needs is simply opportunities for pastors and ministry leaders to experience care. Pastors are tired and worn out and so rather than add additional work, the CC provides a space for soul care and recovery.
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Equipping for Engaging Conflict in Healthy Ways
Churches often face conflict, and learning healthier ways to navigate it fosters unity, Christ-like living, and stewardship. By engaging conflict constructively, churches can strengthen their witness and relationships, becoming better equipped to embody the love and unity they are called to reflect in their communities and beyond.
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Helping Congregations Navigate Adaptive Change
Additionally, the truth is that all of our churches are facing change in a highly anxious environment. We often struggle through change, particularly when we do it alone. The CC will provides peer and coaching support that aids pastors and congregations as they face change over the 2-year experience.
The Practices:
What’s Included?
Partners in The Better Together Project: A Community of Churches experience the following:
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A pastoral leader serves as the primary lead, representing the congregation at monthly cohort meetings (virtual or in person). The cohorts connect pastors to share wisdom, practice discernment, and offer encouragement. Cohort meetings focus on topics designed to support the missional goal of building ecumenical partnerships in the congregation’s local community.
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Churches are be able to support their primary pastoral leader with annual soul care retreats facilitated by Cultivate Renewal. These retreats support spiritual and physical renewal for pastoral leaders.
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The Colossian Forum leads pastors and a small team of ministry leaders in two workshops. These practical learning opportunities equip participants with the postures and skills needed to navigate conflict as an opportunity for faith formation and reconciliation.
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Participating churches are invited to an annual convening of the Community of Churches. These convenings provide the opportunity to strengthen community and unity through worship, fellowship, learning, and listening.
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By participating in this project, churches will be empowered with practical resources to build sustainable ecumenical partnerships in their local settings with churches or faith organizations, expanding and diversifying the witness of reconciliation to the local community.
More details about the Community of Churches
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1. Traveling to meet church leaders
2. What is the Community of Churches Initiative (CCI), and why is it generating interest?
3. What is drawing people to the CCI?
4. How does CCI provide rest and care for pastors or primary leaders?
5. What is the Colossian Forum's Wayfinder Curriculum?
6: How does CCI address stewardship dynamics in conflict situations?
7. Is The Colossian Forum considered progressive?
8. What is the "deep work of trust," and why is it significant?
9. What does it mean for churches to be "on a mission" with CCI?
10. How do cohorts and regions factor into the CCI approach?
11. What is the vision for churches that participate in the Community of Churches Initiative?
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Congregations are asked to commit to participating in the activities outlined above now through February 2027. This commitment includes:
For Pastoral Leaders
Attendance and engagement of a designated pastoral leader or pastoral team in monthly cohort meetings, annual soul care retreats, and annual Convenings.For Ministry Leadership Teams
Participation of a ministry leadership team (up to 5 leaders in addition to the pastoral leader) at the annual Convenings and coaching sessions led by The Colossian Forum.
For Congregations
Engagement of the pastoral leader(s) and ministry leadership team with a variety of resources and practices to strengthen their congregation’s cooperation with and ministry to the local community through the exploration and cultivation of ecumenical community partnerships. -
Gratefully, the Lilly Endowment Grant funds the vast majority of the cost involved in the The Better Together Project’s Community of Churches programming, events, and travel. The budget the Lilly Endowment approved for The Project allows participating congregations to invest in their leadership and ministries at a notably reduced cost:
$207/month (x 25 months) or $5k for U.S. churches
$415/month (x 25 months) or $10k for Canadian churches (note: unfortunately, grant restrictions limit the Lilly Endowment funds that can be applied outside of the United States)
Better Together is committed to assisting any congregation participating and thus is working to raise scholarship funds to supplement or cover any costs that would otherwise prohibit a congregation from participating.
If you are interested in giving to support the Community of Churches, you can learn more here.