In January, the Center for Evangelism and Church Growth will launch the next round of Small Church Initiative Workshops. Feedback about this proven process of transformation for small churches has been very positive. Applications are now being accepted.
The Small Church Initiative (SCI) is a component of the Healthy Church Initiative (HCI) designed with the specific needs of churches with an average of 80 or less in worship each week. Through a combination of continuous learning, coaching and consultation, this process helps congregations more effectively join God in God’s mission. You can read more about SCI
here.
Three criteria to be considered for the Small Church Initiative include:
- A desire by the congregation and the pastor to see their church grow;
- A sense of urgency to make changes that will enable growth;
- A willingness of laity equaling 10 percent of the average worship attendance to participate with the pastor in six monthly workshops.
Led by HCI-trained facilitators, the SCI Workshops will run January through May 2014. Each workshop includes a group of church pastors and laity from several churches in the SCI process. During the course of the SCI Workshops, participants will be encouraged to involve the rest of their congregation in the learning they undertake. In the later Workshops, participants will learn more about the SCI Consultation phase and how their church can choose to take part in that.
Applications are available
here or from your District Superintendent. Applications will be accepted through November 5.
There is no registration fee and each participant receives a copy of the SCI Workshop curriculum. The Center for Evangelism and Church Growth will pay for the Facilitator expenses. There are three recommended books for reading during the course of the Workshops which participants will be expected to purchase (approximately $45).
If you have any questions about the Small Church Initiative, contact
Jeff Jones at the Conference Service Center.