The Center for Progressive Renewal now is offering an online assessment tool to identify the strengths of people interested in becoming a church planter, and a second assessment for those who feel called to renew and revitalize existing congregations. The Gallup Organization conducted qualitative research to identify patterns of excellence that describe the talents needed for success in these two areas. The research was in cooperation with ecumenical partners from other mainline denominations.
For a limited time, the assessment cost is $35. (The assessment is $100 minus a $65 scholarship applied to the cost.) The cost is subject to change without notice. This fee may be paid by the potential redeveloper, or the conference or association that is making the assessment request. PLEASE NOTE: During the registration process, you will be taken to PayPal in order to make a secure payment online.
After registering, you first will receive a confirmation email generated automatically by our website. You will receive a second email with the link to the assessment and your unique login, as well as instructions. There is a short registration process to gather general information, and the assessment takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Each applicant will be given a score that is statistically determined, weighted and valued. The applicant will receive a detailed report along with one of three ratings: Recommended, Conditionally Recommended or Not Recommended.
For more information, please contact David Plunkett at david@progressiverenewal.org.
Leadership is the key to excellence in ministry. Whether you are lay or ordained, your leadership influences the health and growth of our congregation.
In From Good to Great: The Key to Excellence in Leadership, we will explore the insights of author Jim Collins as they relate to leadership in local congregations and conferences. Join Rev. Cameron Trimble, co-executive director of the Center for Progressive Renewal, as she outlines the "Good to Great" model and offers insights into the ways it can transform your church.
This webinar will begin at 7 p.m. ET and run for one hour. PLEASE NOTE: All participants must have a unique login. Shortly after registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to obtain yours. For questions, please contact David Plunkett at david@progressiverenewal.org.
Rev. Cameron Trimble, Co-Executive Director of the Center for Progressive Renewal and a veteran church development consultant, equips you and your team in basic tools needed to start a new church.
This five week class is scheduled to begin September 20. Enrollment is available, please contact Rev. Gregg Carlson, Director of Online Learning, gregg@progressiverenewal.org
The tuition for this course is $249.
The landscape of Conference Ministry is shifting as we face the challenges of fewer resources, loss of church membership, graying congregations and a realization that the church is on the margins. What adaptive behaviors and “best practices” should we be incarnating as we face the future that God has prepared?
The advent of the emergent church is part of a deep shift taking place among a growing number of young evangelicals who long to encounter expressions of Christian faith grounded in justice, diversity, hospitality and peace. The result is an utter transformation of the ways in which these young Christians approach the Bible, faith, ethics, worship and the very witness and mission of the Church.
Phil Snider and Emily Bowen, pastors at Brentwood Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Springfield, Missouri, will offer an introduction to the emergent church and help participants learn how their congregations can experience great hope, encouragement, and renewal by embracing the emergent conversation. Phil and Emily are the co-authors of Toward a Hopeful Future: Why the Emergent Church is Good News for Mainline Congregations (Pilgrim Press, 2010).
Back by popular demand! As the Director of Stewardship for the Cathedral of Hope UCC in Dallas, Texas, Coy James has been responsible for raising more than $3 million a year. This relatively young congregation has achieved this level of support without endowments, investments or rental income. Almost 100 percent of the church’s budget is funded by weekly offerings. The secret of their success? The creative use of technology to build relationships with contributors. As a longtime lay leader, Coy understands stewardship from both sides of the offering plate and will offer concrete advice for creating an effective stewardship system to sustain your congregation. This webinar is perfect for you and the lay leaders of your stewardship team!
This webinar will begin at 7 p.m. EST and run for 90 minutes, including a time for questions and answers. For more information, or if you have questions, please contact David Plunkett at david@progressiverenewal.org. PLEASE NOTE: Each person will have a unique login. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from us with instructions and a link to the Go To Webinar website in order to obtain your login.
Historically, church has been the bedrock of many of the communities in our nation. For generations, families have attended local congregations together, building into their personal traditions the rhythms, values and stories of the Christian faith. Today, however, more and more young people are moving away from the Church in what appears to be a significant cultural shift in priorities.
Together, we will explore where the 20somethings have gone, how they are meeting their spiritual needs, and what the Church should recognize in the shift of behavior. We will explore creative opportunities for reconnecting with younger generations while honoring their spiritual journeys. This webinar, led by co-Executive Director of the Center for Progressive Renewal Rev. Cameron Trimble, will feature distributable resources and online interaction, as well as structured discussion with other participants.
The world is changing at breakneck speed, and we only are beginning to understand its impact on the Church, yet change in the Church is slow-coming and painful for many.
In this webinar, Marja Coons-Torn of the Penn Central Conference will discuss strategies for navigating change in your conferences and churches. She recommends reading Switch by Chip Heath and Strategic Leadership for a Change by Kenneth McFadden as guides to this discussion.
Is your church growing, or is your church declining? Either way, do you know why?
Join Rev. Cameron Trimble, co-executive director of the Center for Progressive Renewal, as she uncovers best practices in growing your church. She will focus on creative practices in outreach, mission, marketing and hospitality by churches across the country and share resources that will help you implement these practices in your congregation.
As the UCC “equips the saints” through a multiple paths to ministry strategy, conferences, working in collaboration with seminaries, will have a significant role. So, the Southeast Conference is taking their Lay Theological Education program online!
Join Tim Downs for an exploration of ways in which we can equip the people of God in all settings of the Church for effective and faithful ministry. Tim will talk about the “Theology Among the People” program and how the Southeast Conference is engaging multiple paths to ordination.