Thriving Congregations: Nomination Process 

The success of this process will be largely dependent on identifying congregations that are ready to learn, change, and grow, characteristics more dependent on spiritual orientation than on size or budget.

We will use alumni networks and judicatory leaders to help identify UMC congregations that are ready and eager to take the next faithful step toward vitality. For the first cohort, we will rely entirely on these nominations to form a body of prospective applicants. We will then invite nominated congregations to fill out a brief profile/application, which will include guided discernment activities and questions, from which our planning team will select the first cohort.

To promote the best learning environment, we will seek congregations across the cohorts that are diverse in size, racial/ethnic makeup and history, and social location.