CBF North Carolina (CBFNC) has selected 12 churches from across our fellowship and region for the next Shared Learning Cohort of the Helping Churches Thrive initiative. Shared Learning Cohort churches will journey through a nine-month process of exploration, empowerment and experimentation in an opening retreat, monthly calls with notable authors and practitioners, churchwide workshops, a creative ministry endeavor funded by a grant, and a closing celebration retreat.
The churches selected for the next Shared Learning Cohort are:
- Brunswick Islands Baptist, Supply
- Canton First Baptist, Canton
- First Baptist Elkin, Elkin
- First Baptist High Point, High Point
- First Baptist Morehead City, Morehead City
- First Baptist Spindale, Spindale
- Iglesia Cristiana Sin Fronteras, Winston-Salem
- Littleton Baptist, Littleton
- Loray Baptist, Gastonia
- Providence Baptist, Hendersonville
- Zebulon Baptist, Zebulon
“After a brilliant first cohort, we are eager to begin the journey with these 12 diverse congregations. The process of thriving is intentional, creative and collaborative, beginning with equipping the team from each church to lead their congregations through a churchwide process of conversation, imagination, discipleship and faith-centered risk,” said Andy Hale, associate executive coordinator.
“We look forward to facilitating this shared learning process that not only enhances the expression of the church within the cohort, but also CBFNC and the congregations connecting with the greater Helping Churches Thrive initiative.”
Thanks to a grant from Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative, CBFNC’s Helping Churches Thrive initiative aims to encourage the flourishing of congregations by helping them deepen their relationships with God, enhance their connections with each other and contribute to the vitality of their communities and the world.
There are three components of Helping Churches Thrive: Shared Learning Cohorts, Collaborative Workshops and a Creative Workshop Retreat.
- Shared Learning Cohorts focus on rethinking congregational thriving through a churchwide cohort process. Applications open annually in June.
- Collaborative Workshops are regional events for clergy and laity held across the state in which all churches are invited to participate as they are able and interested.
- The Creative Workshop Retreat is an overnight opportunity designed for congregational leadership teams (deacon boards, personnel committees, finance committees, property/facility committees, etc.) that offers educational plenary sessions and practical workshops focused on four leadership tracks. Registration for the Creative Workshop Retreat is now open and it will be held November 14-15 at Ardmore Baptist in Winston-Salem. Learn more here.
