Benefits to Parishes
The effect of the training in specific parishes will very much depend on whom a parish sends for training and participants’ ability to apply their learning in their parish setting.
With this said, what we hope parishes will experience is an increased energy to engage the challenges and opportunities before them and new tools to make progress in these areas.
Some results that parishes have seen in undertaking a more disciplined approach to congregational development are: increased numerical growth, more focus on Christian formation, greater participation of the membership in decision-making processes, strengthened worship life, and greater clarity about identity and mission.
The College’s Core Program is for Clergy and Lay Leaders
The College is for clergy and lay leaders of parishes in the Diocese. Lay leaders can be elected leaders such as Vestry members or can be people who lead in more informal ways. Those enrolling in the College should be willing to undertake the demands of a two-year program that includes attendance at all sessions, readings and assignments and back-home projects.
Emphasis is on parish teams participating in the College’s Core Program
Teams of people (clergy and lay) who are trained in a common approach and with common skills are more likely to be able to nurture and support the health that already exists in congregations and to create positive change where necessary.
Attendance and Participation
Participants will need to attend and participate in all the sessions of the College, complete all the readings and assignments, and complete back-home projects in the parish.
Missed Session Policy
Registration for The College for Congregational Development is a commitment to attend all the working sessions and of the College and completing the required projects. Along with this participants are expected to participate in all worship, social times and meals. With that said, things come up that prevent a participant from attending a session. Below please find our policies about absences and make-up work. All missed sessions must be made up in order to complete the College.
For information on tuition refund, please seen our refund policy.