Local Congregational Development Programs

	Administration

	Christian Education

	Congregational Development

	Stewardship

	Technology & Communications

You are not alone!

There are many resources available to support Congregational Development. Congregations in the Diocese of Washington have had success working with the following:

The Alban Institute is an ecumenical, interfaith organization that supports congregations by offering books, periodicals, workshops and education seminars, consultants and speakers while conducting ongoing research into congregational faith and life. One can join as an individual, a congregation or an institution to gain access to its services. Topics explored concern congregational well-being, such as assessment and planning, skill development, clergy transition, conflict management, etc. Two of Alban's major goals are to assist congregations with emerging challenges and "to encourage congregations to be vigorous and faithful so that they may equip people of God to minister with faith to their community and to the world."

The Church Development Institute (CDI) program develops trainers, lay and clergy, to serve as leaders and consultants for the ministry of developing community and organizational life of congregations. Working in partnership with the Diocese, CDI leaders guide congregations by offering skills and knowledge to assess congregations, establish direction, navigate towards vision and manage processes. Established in 1978, CDI has many years experience and has developed competent, practical, innovative approaches grounded in Anglican spiritual identity to strengthen congregations. Trainers, consultants, workshops, forums, literature and e-lists explore topics such as shaping parish life to enable effective Christian formation, congregational development strategies and projects, sound organizational development, pastoral oversight, shared dynamics of change, trust development, etc. CDI's ultimate goal is to strengthen skills of clergy and lay persons to develop healthy, faithful congregations. The program in the Diocese of Washington consists of 110-classroom hours spread over 4-weekends a year for two years. It is typically held on a Friday afternoon and all-day Saturday at a church within the Diocese. A weekend consists of some lecture time, a lot of experiential learning and small group activities, shared meals and worship. Over the two-years, participants not only learn more about the themselves and their parish, but also interact significantly with people from other parishes in the Diocese. Scott Benhase (202) 363-8286 is a certified CDI trainer and Susan Burns (301) 229-3770 is an intern trainer in the Diocese of Washington. Additional information about CDI can be found at www.cditrainers.org. and by contacting Canon Paul Cooney.

CDI in the Diocese of Washington in 2010 and 2011:

2010                                                                       2011
March 5-6                                                              March 4-5
April 23-24                                                             May 6-7
Sept 10-11                                                             Sept 16-17
Nov 12-13                                                              Nov 4-5

For additional information and to download a registration form, visit Diocese of Washington’s CDI page.

Congregational Development E-list
The Congregational Development e-list includes over 450 leaders of parishes and dioceses, in the Anglican Church of Canada and the Episcopal Church, discussing congregational development. Discussions during the past year have
included: requests from parish leaders for help with strategy or resources; explorations of approaches to membership growth (parish and diocesan
level); sharing methods and tools such as Appreciative Inquiry; coping with parish politics while working on parish health; diocesan strategies for clusters, local ordination, yoking, etc.; building an effective diocesan system for supporting congregational development. Sign up through the Yahoo Web site at - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/congregationaldevelopment
Or sign up for the group by sending an e-mail to
congregationaldevelopment-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
You will receive instructions on completing the subscription process.

Start Up! Start Over! is a congregational development seminar offered each year on both coasts by the Episcopal Church Center. Individuals are welcome, but group attendance is encouraged. Demographics on your congregation are used as an interpretive tool and in planning for your church. Topics explored include congregational development and church life cycle, interpreting your demographics to program towards growth, leadership training, effective meeting strategies, cross-cultural evangelism, new member incorporation, dealing with resistance to change, etc. One attendee commented "As a result of attending we reorganized our worship space, printed welcome brochures, improved Christian education, organized better meetings and made property improvements". The seminar regularly fills to capacity before the registration deadline, so early registration is strongly recommended.

Other Congregational Development programs, including workshops and academic and certificate programs:

Leadership Training Institute
LTI offers programs that enable leaders to function more effectively in their work with parishes and other organizations; to improve their competence for working with others, facilitating teams, and designing meetings, educational events and programs. We have a special vocation to serve the Episcopal Church while also serving non-profit organizations and values based businesses.

LTI Programs:

Appreciative Inquiry Workshops

Appreciative Inquiry: A Constructive Approach to Organization Development

Alban Institute Workshops

Academic and certificate programs

Last Update: 01/14/09