Synergistic Congregations:
Building a Strong Community Together
This project aims to create transformational experiences for pastors and congregational members to
collaborate in healing and hope within their communities, while bridging the gap between church activities
and everyday life. It will produce resources to strengthen Christian congregations, with a focus on
enhancing vitality across the western United States.
Are you ready to submit a proposal?
Subgrant Request for Proposals
We are inviting proposals from churches interested in participating in the Stronger Communities Collaboration Cohorts. This program aims to challenge church leaders to bridge the gap between church-centered activities and the day-to-day realities of people in their local communities. We will cultivate transformative experiences for congregations that will impact their communities by integrating a theological framework for faith and work. The selected churches will collaborate to develop resources, practices, and relationships that strengthen the connection between their worship and the work they do outside of the walls of their churches. Through a series of gatherings, participants will engage in theological exploration, learning opportunities, and practical applications, guided by experts in the theology of faith and work.
Program Objectives: The Stronger Communities Collaboration Cohorts program has the following objectives:
- Foster a network of relationships and resource sharing between pastors and industry leaders to empower their congregations to overcome the compartmentalization of their faith and work.
- To develop a relevant theological framework for people to utilize their gifts, talents, and skills for the life of the world in a manner that is consistent with their theological commitments
- Equip congregations to navigate ethical, character, leadership, and other workplace challenges in order to cultivate thriving faith communities and organizational cultures.
Program Components: The Stronger Communities Collaboration Cohorts program will consist of the following components:
- Collaborations Gathering The participating churches in each region will meet locally at least three times per year during the four-year grant period. Additionally, all 20 participating churches (approximately 40 people) will gather together once per year, rotating locations annually. The cost of travel to these gatherings will be included in the subgrant award for each participating congregation. The gatherings will include missional, congregational, and spiritual formation sessions, small group discussions and planning, networking, workshops, and resource sharing.
- Scholar and Practitioner Guidance. Scholars and practitioners specializing in faith and work will provide guidance and support to the cohorts. They will offer research insights, share practical wisdom, and facilitate learning opportunities through webinars, seminars,
conferences, and resources related to faith and work, leadership development, and vocational discernment.
Proposal Requirements: Interested churches should submit proposals that address the following:
- Church Information Provide details about your church, including denomination, location, and community demographics.
- Participating Representatives Nominate a pastor and an industry leader who will represent your congregation in the cohorts.
- Subgrant Application Describe how your congregation intends to utilize the subgrant of up to $15,000 to support your work in developing and integrating a theological framework for faith and work. Outline any potential projects, initiatives, or collaborations that would align with the program objectives and demonstrate their potential for impact.
- Diversity Emphasis Explain how your church embodies diversity in terms of denominations, ethnicity, and industry. Highlight how your congregation’s demographic, cultural, and economic characteristics contribute to diverse perspectives and experiences both theologically and professionally.
- Regional Focus Specify which region your church belongs to (Southern California, Northern California, Northwest, or Southwest) and provide a rationale for your interest in participating in this program.
Please submit your proposal electronically to jgraffius@apu.edu.
Proposals should be in PDF format and should not exceed five pages.
Include “Stronger Communities Collaboration Cohorts Proposal” in the subject line of your email.
Selection Process: Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Alignment with program objectives and potential for impact.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity and representation.
- Feasibility and clarity of the proposed utilization of the subgrant.
- Church’s readiness and willingness to collaborate and participate in the program.
The Synergistic Congregations Project is a collaboration of individuals – academic researchers, pastors
and ministry leaders, congregation members including individuals who are leaders within their communities
and industries. Through this project, we aim to offer the opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships
between congregational leadership and the local communities they serve.
This project is being led by Dr. Matthew Elofson and Rev. Dr. Jennifer Graffius.
Key Objectives
Collaborative Cohorts
Collaborative Gatherings
Engaging Faith Conferences
Certificate Opportunity
Partner Congregation Strategy
Partner Congregations Strategy
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.
Synergistic Congregations Cohorts
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.
Collaboration
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.
Resource Development
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.
Looking to the Future
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.