Church in today’s world is complex
and challenging.

But what if churches could embrace their potential to THRIVE instead of accepting the pressure to simply survive?

Helping Churches Thrive is a new program of CBF North Carolina that intends to foster congregational vitality in North Carolina Baptist churches. The program is made possible by a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc’s Thriving Congregations Initiative.

Helping Churches Thrive aims to journey with congregations in a shared learning experience as they identify, celebrate and grow the characteristics of thriving through the empowerment of God’s Spirit.  The program seeks to foster congregational vitality through the employment of collaborative learning communities for church leaders, both clergy and laity, by:

  • Deepening their relationships with God
  • Enhancing their connections with each other
  • Contributing to the vitality of their communities and the world

Click here to learn more about the characteristics of a Thriving Congregation.

Helping Churches Thrive
from CBF of North Carolina

Helping Churches Thrive Cohorts

Thriving Cohort

Shared Learning Cohorts focus on rethinking congregational thriving, church sustainability and emerging young adult ministries.

  • Nine month, churchwide process with facilitated workshops, worship focus and small group discussions.
  • 24-hour training & celebration retreats for up to 8 team members of a church.
  • Monthly collaborative learning with other churches.
  • Thriving Guide (coach & facilitator).
  • Creative Ministry Grants.

2025-2026 Cohort Announced
Applications for the 2026 cohort will open May 1 and will run through June 29!  Churches will be notified by July 8 if they have been selected for the program.

New Faith Communities Cohort

The New Faith Community Learning Cohort is a small, intentionally designed experience for teams exploring the possibility of starting new faith communities in and beyond traditional models. This cohort is about creating space for clarity, courage, and faithful imagination.

Each cohort will include 3–4 teams, with up to four participants per team, and will unfold over several months through a rhythm of shared learning, reflection, and practical exploration.

The cohort experience includes:

  • Two in-person retreats focused on grounding, relationships, and shared imagination
  • Monthly online learning gatherings
  • Guided work around understanding local context, clarifying vision, identifying who you are trying to reach, and discerning how your community might function
  • A concluding Creative Ministry Grant to support experimentation and next-step exploration

Registration closes February 13.  Register here.

Church Sustainability Initiative (CSI)

The Church Sustainability Initiative (CSI) focuses on working alongside congregations to discern their next, most faithful step and explore new pathways for churches by examining their sustainability and vitality.  After listening to churches across the state, we have identified seven compelling stories of congregations that serve as models for potential pathways forward. These pathways include:

  • Resetting ministry with a specified and nuanced focus.
  • Ending well and becoming a legacy church.
  • Developing revenue-based space partnerships.
  • Selling church facilities while restarting with a new approach.
  • Sharing space with other congregations.
  • And more.

To learn more, click here.

Creative Workshops and Retreats

Collaborative Workshops

Collaborative workshops are offered across the state for all congregations.

  • Regional workshop events for laity and clergy focused on thriving.
  • Overnight creative workshop retreats for clergy and lay leadership to gain new tools for thriving now and in the future.
  • Open to all churches.

Creative Workshop Retreat

Designed for congregational leadership teams (deacon boards, personnel committees, finance committees, property/facility committees, etc.) and church staff, this 24-hour retreat offers educational plenary sessions and practical workshops focused on four leadership tracks. Plenary sessions will address key topics such as leading change and navigating conflict. Attendees will leave feeling empowered to transform their church ministries, equipped with new knowledge and tools to take back to their churches, and ready to collectively embrace a thriving future.

November 13–14, 2026 at Ardmore Baptist, Winston-Salem (accommodations at the Hawthorne Inn)
Check out the highlights of 2025’s Creative Workshop Retreat here.

Meet the Previous Cohort Churches

2024-2025 Cohort Churches

Edenton Baptist, Edenton

Embrace Church, High Point

First Baptist, Monroe

First Baptist, Rutherfordton

First Baptist, Smithfield

First Baptist, Valdese

First Baptist, Wadesboro

First Baptist, Waynesville

Iglesia Morning Light, Clemmons

LaFayette Baptist, Fayetteville

Want more info?

To learn more about the program and be included in further announcements, please email Andy Hale.

Equip With CBFNC

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MINISTRY JOB BOARD
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HELPING PASTORS THRIVE
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MINISTERIAL TRANSITIONS
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CHURCH & MINISTERIAL RESOURCES