What happened when a Presbyterian church in Canada took a chance at a New Beginning

Friday, 28 June, 2024 18:25

Comox Valley Presbyterian Church (CVPC) never intended to go through Disciples Church Extension Fund’s New Beginnings process. This congregation in Comox, British Columbia is a relatively new one, getting its start on Vancouver Island in 1995 and moving into its present building in 2001. Despite its young age however, in 2018, more members were leaving than were joining. […]

Sounds like this church still has a call

Monday, 21 June, 2021 19:53

A magnificent Indiana limestone church structure, adorned with towering stained-glass windows and heavy wooden doors, stretches the depth of the block at 47th and Central in Indianapolis. Yet a gust of wind — not the building — reminds passersby of God’s work in the world through First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church (FMHPC).

First Christian Church of Paris, Texas: Building Bridges with Kindness

Thursday, 03 June, 2021 19:35

In April of 2017, First Christian Church of Paris, Texas (FCCP), began working with Hope Partnership to dream about its future and discern what God was calling it to be in its community and beyond. After two all-church retreats, several members of the congregation were chosen as the local Hope team.

First Christian Church of Bedford: Sharing God’s Abundance

Monday, 24 May, 2021 14:21

“This church is doing an amazing revitalization of Camp Bedford. The God incidences are numerous and noteworthy.” That’s how Christie Sharpsteen, a Facilitator with Hope Partnership Services, describes First Christian Church of Bedford, Indiana — a congregation she’s worked with since early 2018 when they began the Epiphany process.

Coaching Academy prepares church leaders for congregational transformation

Thursday, 31 May, 2018 13:34

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (May 31, 2018)— Church leaders gathered in Indianapolis May 17-19 for the first annual Coaching Academy hosted by Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation’s ecumenical services.

Hope Partnership launches innovative, shared business model with mainline Protestant denominations

Thursday, 15 February, 2018 17:44

Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation, a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) that develops transformational leaders through innovative approaches that transform congregations and communities, announces an innovative, ecumenical shared business model with the church extension funds of mainline Protestant denominations.

Worshiping in the basement and loving it!

Sunday, 12 February, 2017 20:20

Northwest Christian Church, Oklahoma City, OK had reached a point where it needed to reimagine its ministry. The surrounding community had changed, the building was large and costly to maintain and the membership was aging and declining in numbers. The Northwest leadership determined it was time to seriously look at the congregation’s future.

Florida congregation’s Future Story creates energy and hope

Thursday, 01 December, 2016 15:39

Mission Pathways on sale for limited time In the summer of 2014, Central Christian Church in Orlando, FL, came to the realization that they could not continue to function the way they had for years after the sudden loss of several strong spiritual, financial and administrative leaders for unrelated reasons. Florida’s regional minister suggested to […]

New Beginnings service reaches milestone as it empowers congregations across denominational lines

Tuesday, 27 September, 2016 02:10

In 2008, First Christian Church in San Bernardino, Calif., whose sustainability challenges were becoming all too familiar for Disciples churches, signed on to do New Beginnings, a new service offered by then Church Extension and now by Hope Partnership.

Mission Pathways, a futuring process

Tuesday, 30 August, 2016 17:41

By Ruth Fletcher, Regional Minister, Montana Region, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) How does a congregation become the kind of church needed in this rapidly changing world? Mission Pathways, a futuring process designed by Hope Partnership, opens the eyes of the church to see what it has become.

Ecumenical partnership raised to the next level

Monday, 20 June, 2016 14:58

In the past eight years, hundreds of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregations have participated in a process called New Beginnings, developed and offered initially by Church Extension and now by Hope Partnership, that helps congregations assess their current condition, strengths and opportunities as they seek to answer the question, “What is God calling our […]

New Beginnings congregation has renewed purpose

Thursday, 12 May, 2016 15:45

Greenfield Christian Church in Greenfield, Ind., has a “connector bridge,” an enclosed walkway designed to provide protection from the elements as people move from one area of the church to another.

“Is it a bell curve or a sine wave?”

Tuesday, 19 January, 2016 17:43

Thanks to Indiana Regional Minister Rick Spleth for this perspective on Hope Partnership’s New Beginnings Assessment Service, which has helped hundreds of congregations make courageous decisions about their future direction.

Henson Valley Christian Church will walk with you to the Table

Tuesday, 20 October, 2015 16:20

“If there are people who don’t think they are welcome at the Table, sometimes you have to go where they are and walk with them to the Table,” says Martha Brown, associate minister of Henson Valley Christian Church, located in Fort Washington, Md.

Stained Glass provides innovative approach to reaching young adults

Thursday, 20 August, 2015 11:25

It’s a movement that is targeting Millennials and catching on in several Disciples churches in Illinois.

Highlights

What happened when a Presbyterian church in Canada took a chance at a New Beginning

Sounds like this church still has a call

First Christian Church of Paris, Texas: Building Bridges with Kindness

First Christian Church of Bedford: Sharing God’s Abundance

Coaching Academy prepares church leaders for congregational transformation

Hope Partnership launches innovative, shared business model with mainline Protestant denominations

Worshiping in the basement and loving it!

Florida congregation’s Future Story creates energy and hope

New Beginnings service reaches milestone as it empowers congregations across denominational lines

Mission Pathways, a futuring process

Ecumenical partnership raised to the next level

New Beginnings congregation has renewed purpose

“Is it a bell curve or a sine wave?”

Henson Valley Christian Church will walk with you to the Table

Stained Glass provides innovative approach to reaching young adults

Highlights

Finding mission in collaboration

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