The Source Collaborative
You Survived____________. (fill in the blank)
Now It's Time to Thrive !
Re-energize your ministry with a transformative two-day in-person retreat and a virtual community of faith leaders dedicated to imagining culturally relevant, sustainable, and impactful ministries that engage the whole community.
This retreat is for you if you’re ready to lead change in your congregation and want to start well. Pairs of clergy/lay leaders from all Christian denominations are invited to register.
When: Thursday, November 2nd 4pm - Saturday, November 4th 9am
Where: The William F. Bolger Center, Potomac, Maryland
What you’ll do:
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Identify what thriving means in your congregational context.
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Learn to measure what matters…because what matters leads to thriving.
Then what?
Stay connected through your six month free subscription to the Wesley Innovation Hub app:
- Monthly guided next steps to move from vision to action
- Unlimited Access to Wesley Innovation Hub online classes
- Weekly co-working sessions - a place to workshop your ideas, use tons of virtual sticky-notes, and dream big dreams
- Feedback on your work from peers and pros- including group coaching, pitch sessions, and storytelling open mic events
- "Choose your own adventure" Q&A sessions- topics you want to tackle including curated resources to help you go deeper
- 24/7 access to an active, inspiring, supportive community of creative pastors, social entrepreneurs, peers, mentors, and theology nerds
- First access to innovation pilgrimages and special events - chances to meet in person and experience innovative ministry in context
Details:
- Registration is $100 per person (total of $200 per congregation) - non-refundable.
- One lead clergy person + one lay leader per congregation required.
- Includes two nights (single occupancy) at the Bolger Center; all meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Transportation to the Bolger Center is not included. (We see you West Coast! You’re invited as long as you pay for the flights!)
“Wherever the river flows, every living thing that moves will thrive.” Ezekiel 47:9
The Source Collaborative project helps local churches thrive in their changing cultural and social contexts during and beyond denominational anxiety and decline.
Wesley surveyed hundreds of clergy and lay leaders and found several key characteristics of congregations that are thriving. Congregations that engage deeply with their communities, align vision with context, and engage younger and more diverse people in spiritual growth and leadership are more likely to grow and thrive. The survey also revealed that many leaders are exhausted, stressed by cultural changes, and pulled in too many directions. We believe that, in partnership with pastors and laity, we can help congregations discern an authentic and viable future deeply rooted in their context and in spiritual practice.
The 2023-24 cohort is now forming. We are seeking ten (10) congregations that are diverse in size, racial/ethnic makeup and history, and social location to promote the best learning environment. The cohort is open to UMC congregregations in the annual conferences surrounding Washington, D.C. : Baltimore-Washington, Virginia, Peninsula-Delaware, Susquehanna, West Virginia, and Eastern Pennsylvania. The re deadline is September 15, 2022. The cohort will be selected and notified by October 15, 2022.
