During the 8-month experience, you will become a congregation that is more risk-taking, more innovative, and more laity-empowering. This program is a fresh approach to discipleship that engages people from the edges into more active participation. You will become part of a movement of churches discovering new ways to put faith into action.

If you and your congregation seek rejuvenation, yearn to take risks and experiment, and desire a more collaborative way to live out discipleship, then this program is just right for you. We recommend that churches in a time of leadership transition, or those struggling with an uncertain future strongly consider whether they have capacity for this endeavor at this time.

First, two church leaders will be trained to facilitate the 4-module curriculum with their church team. Each virtual training session is 90 minutes long.

Then, after each training, the two church leaders will guide their team through each module. Each module takes roughly 3-4 hours to complete.

The total expected commitment for team members averages 4-6 hours per month. The 2 co-facilitators will have additional training which will be about 10 hours total and is spread out over several months.

In addition to a pastor and lay partner (who will work as co-facilitators), the team should have 3-5 additional lay people. It is valuable to have a diverse group that includes a variety of ages, levels of involvement, duration in the congregation, and perspectives. Teams that go beyond the “usual suspects”, including newer people or those looking to get more involved tend to have the best success.

Church team members need to be identified by the time the program begins. If your congregation is selected for the program, we will provide you with advice, recommendations, and materials you will need to select your team.

Making connections with other congregations is a valuable part of the program. The virtual training sessions (for your 2 co-facilitators) will be live, giving you the opportunity to share questions, ideas, and challenges with leaders from the other partipating congregations.

Tuition is due prior to the first session. For those needing financial assistance, both full and partial scholarships are available.