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Living Churches Initiative

congregational leadership and organizational systems

The Living Churches Initiative seeks to create and share focused strategic discernment,

program design and structure, and targeted leadership coaching

for pastors and lay leaders of Presbyterian congregations in the Greater Cincinnati area.

    These efforts are funded through the Presbytery of Cincinnati’s Lilly Grant.

    Update:

    The Elemental Churches program now has three groups in different phases.
    Our Pilot Group is in the process of finalizing their strategies. This group has provided valuable learnings, allowing us to improve the program and further customize it for the Presbytery. 
    Group 1, which is comprised of 16 churches, is approximately 50% through the program.
    Group 2 is kicking off in October.
    The Spring Group 3 recruitment is happening now through
    the end of the year.
    INTERESTED?
    Email Sheryl

    Primary Goal

    Create a set of tools to foster connections, resources, and strong leadership capabilities, enabling our churches to identify and adapt to current local and cultural trends, and driving them to thrive and grow. The program will reflect key Reformed traditions while also developing and maximizing individual congregational and contextual distinctives.

    The curriculum will focus on two key issues: congregational leadership and organizational systems.

    Leadership – training for both Pastors and lay leaders on leadership styles and best practices; emphasize ways to lead missionally and strategically.

    Team dynamics will also be considered with a view to improving the leadership cultures of individual churches.

    Systems – Pastors and lay leaders from participating churches will walk together through a 12-18 month program that includes:

    • assessment of congregational resources and challenges,
    • group reflection on data,
    • mission clarification,
    • and the development and implementation of action plans.

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    Center For Learning Home

    Churches that have participated in the program will meet with the Center for Learning periodically after completion of the formal program to share continued successes and challenges, as well as aid in the creation of sharable curriculum, training, case studies for broad dissemination, and next steps in the journey.

    Churches that have participated in the program will meet with the Center for Learning periodically after completion of the formal program to share continued successes and challenges, as well as aid in the creation of sharable curriculum, training, case studies for broad dissemination, and next steps in the journey.