Church Profile
The En Comunidad participant church aspires to:
Embrace a Holistic Culture
Embrace the truth that God’s redemptive plan encompasses the whole person and all of creation and is not limited to spirituality alone; instead, spirituality is the cross section that touches creation.
Engage in Christian Community Development
Embrace the truth that God is actively creating and restoring the world and the church is partnering with Him to fulfill that mission as an essential component of their purpose.
Operate as a Collaborative Body
Embrace the truth that the body of Christ is interconnected and interdependent and every believer has been activated to fulfill their specific function as they work in unity with others to transform their immediate community and the world.
Adopt Healthy practices
The church leadership recognizes the importance of organizational healthy practices such as building organizational capacity and developing collaboration to effectively engage in the church’s local mission, which includes engagement in community development.
The En Comunidad participant church will:
- Engage in a leadership assessment.
- Assess their church as an organization.
- Explore new ways of being/doing church.
- Embrace change.
- Listen to and learn from others, including different Christian traditions.
- Engage in community development.
- Prioritize time for learning and growth.
- Be open and expand their knowledge as leaders.
The En Comunidad Cohort
The cohort is a small group of 5 leadership teams (3-5 members) representing 4-5 different congregations.
Types of Cohorts
Online Cohort: A cohort of churches across the US engaging in virtual sessions, except for the Immersion experience (a 2-day immersion experience with costs covered by the program).
Hybrid Cohort: For churches geographically located in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas. Sessions will be virtual and in-person, including the 2-day local Immersion experience.
The En Comunidad church leadership group is formed by:
- The general/lead pastor of the church
- A diverse* group of 2 to 4 participants who:
- Are in a leadership position
- Are flourishing as a leader in the church
- Embrace change
- Aspire to see their church as the one described in the church profile
- Can commit to the full program (see calendar below)
*Diverse: participants represent diversity within the church, including age, gender, and cultural background.
The En Comunidad program
PHASE I – Learning Experience
Introductory event
- Learn about the program’s objectives
- Learn about holistic culture, Christian community development, collaborative body and healthy practices
- Connect with your cohort
Growth sessions
- Explore important topics like embracing change, creating safe communities, promoting collaboration, and engaging in community development.
Immersion experience
- Get inspired and learn practical strategies by visiting an effective holistic church-based community development ministry.
PHASE II – Coaching
- Apply for up to 20 hours of vetted coaching support.
- The coaching sessions will be tailored to the church’s specific needs.
- Coaching sessions will allow the church leadership team to participate in the application and implementation of the topics addressed in the learning experience.
Online support platform: Join the community to share resources and connect with others
Online Cohort Calendar – US Nationwide
| Event | Dates | Time required |
|---|---|---|
| Application process | August – September 2024 | |
| Informational session | September 19 @ 7 pm | 1 hour |
| Introductory event | October 12 | ½ day |
| Session 1 | November 16 @ 6:30 pm | 2 hours |
| Session 1 Peer Learning | Scheduled by Church Leadership Team | 2 hours |
| Session 2 | December 7 @ 6:30 pm | 2 hours |
| Session 2 Peer Learning | Scheduled by Church Leadership Team | 2 hours |
| Christmas Break | ||
| Session 3 | January 11 @ 6:30pm | 2 hours |
| Session 3 Peer Learning | Scheduled by Church Leadership Team | 2 hours |
| Immersion experience (in person) | January 24-25 (in person) | 2 days |
| Session 4 | February 22 @ 6:30 pm | 2 hours |
| Session 4 Peer Learning | Scheduled by Church Leadership Team | 2 hours |
| Session 5 | March 15 @ 6:30 pm | 2hours |
| Session 5 Peer Learning | Scheduled by Church Leadership Team | 2 hours |
| Coaching application | April | 2 hours |
| Coaching sessions | May – October | Up to 20 hours |
Hybrid Cohort (Regional) Calendar – Rio Grande Valley
| Event | Dates | Time required |
|---|---|---|
| Application process | August – September 2024 | 2 hours |
| Informational session | September 19 @ 5 pm | 1 hour |
| Introductory event (in person) | October 19 | ½ day |
| Session 1 (virtual) | November 16 @ 4 pm | 2 hour |
| Session 1 Peer Learning | Scheduled by Church Leadership Team | 2 hours |
| Session 2 (virtual) | December 7 @ 4 pm | 2 hours |
| Session 2 Peer Learning | Scheduled by Church Leadership Team | 2 hours |
| Christmas Break | ||
| Session 3 (virtual) | January 11 @ 4 pm | 2 hours |
| Session 3 Peer Learning | Scheduled by Church Leadership Team | 2 hours |
| Immersion experience (in person) | February 7-8 (in person) | 2 days |
| Session 4 (virtual) | February 22 @ 4 pm | 2 hours |
| Session 4 Peer Learning | Scheduled by Church Leadership Team | 2 hours |
| Session 5 (virtual) | March 15 @ 4 pm | 2hours |
| Session 5 Peer Learning | Scheduled by Church Leadership Team | 2 hours |
| Coaching application | April | 2 hours |
| Coaching sessions | May – October | Up to 20 hours |