More details about being involved in the Community of Churches

Click Here - for a detailed FAQ document with more information.

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. How can churches get started with the Community of Churches Initiative?

10. What is the Convening of Concerned Congregations?

11. What types of churches are getting involved with the CCI?

12. What does it mean for churches to be "on a mission" with CCI?

13. How do cohorts and regions factor into the CCI approach?

14. How does CCI address bandwidth as a common hurdle for participation?

15. How does the Lilly Grant help with church costs for participating in CCI?

16. How does CCI address fears associated with joining?

17. What does it mean to step into the unknown together with CCI?

18: Can churches pick and choose which parts of CCI to participate in?

19. What is the vision for churches that participate in the Community of Churches Initiative?

Congregations are asked to commit to participating in the activities outlined above from January 2025 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 (3-4 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 making the Community of Churches accessible to any congregation desiring to participate and is working to raise scholarship funds to supplement or cover any costs that would otherwise prohibit a congregation from getting involved. Please let us know if your congregation needs financial assistance in order to participate. 

If you are interested in giving to support the Community of  Churches, you can learn more here.

If your congregation is interested in taking a next step toward participating in A Community of Churches, you are invited to reach out to The Better Together Project team at info@bettertogether.church. We will personally follow up to help address any questions and get you started on the enrollment process. 

Are you interested in the Community of Churches but the programming has already started?  We’d still love to hear from you and see how we can get your congregation connected with the Community of Churches.