We will invite up to 10 churches in a region to join us for an introductory luncheon where we will outline the work we hope to do in this project. Churches are invited to apply to be a cohort participant. We will select one congregation in each geographical region to serve as a “hub” church for these cohorts. In addition, four additional congregations from each region will be accepted into the cohort and will be invited to apply for subgrants of approximately $15,000 to support their work and travel related to their participation in these cohorts.

We will develop a community-based ministry podcast which will highlight the work and individual stories of these participating congregations. Each of the “hub’ churches will host a conference on faith and work in years 4 and 5 of the grant, we will host biannual conferences to engage participating congregations and their communities in the theology of faith and work and its application in their churches.

We will build cohorts of approximately 20 churches inviting a pastor and an industry leader from the congregation to work together in developing resources that bolster the connection between worship gatherings on Sundays and daily life during the rest of the week, exploring the theology of faith and work and practically applying it to each community’s individual needs and contexts. We will select 5 congregations from each region to participate with one of the five selected to be the regional hub.

Each of the identified congregations will be eligible to apply for a subgrant of approximately $15,000 to support their work and allow for travel associated with the convening of cohorts.

Within the cohorts, pastors and industry leaders will collaborate to develop resources and practices that strengthen the connection between faith and work.Through facilitated roundtable discussions, workshops, and study sessions, participants will delve into the theology of faith and work, exploring its implications and applications in their congregations, communities, and workplaces.

The five congregations working together in each region will meet together three times per year during years 2-5 and all 20 participating churches will gather once per year (rotating locations each year). These gatherings will feature missional, congregational, and spiritual formation sessions, planning, networking, relationship building, workshops, and resource sharing. Discussions and workshops will be led by local experienced practitioners and scholars to explore how God forms a church to participate in God’s mission in the world.

From our collaborative learning, we will create resources (written curriculum, articles, video/digital resources). Participants will be asked to articulate and develop tools based on their work within their local congregation and their interactions with other participating congregations. Content experts and experienced practitioners will be invited to provide guidance and support to participants during the resource development process. We will offer workshops and consultations during the quarterly and annual gatherings where participants can receive feedback, suggestions, and tips for enhancing their resources.

As we work with congregations, we will establish a community-based ministry podcast which will give voice to the work, insights, dialogue, and stories of thriving congregations that will foster a community of listeners who are inspired to make a positive impact in their workplaces, communities, and beyond.

In years 4 and 5, we will host biannual conferences to engage participating congregations and their communities in the theology of faith and work and its practical application in their churches. These conferences will feature keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.

We will develop a Certificate in Community-Based Ministry for pastors and lay leadership within congregations to strengthen their theological framework of faith and work in their daily lives. The certificate program,which will be a hybrid model of both in-person and online teaching, will include courses such as Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry, FLOW: Theology, Faith, and Work, Transformational Leadership, Missional Entrepreneurship, and Thriving Congregations. Through it all, our hope and prayer is to see local congregations thrive and to cultivate healthy perspectives on leadership development and community engagement through the churches.