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:
Click here to learn more about the characteristics of a Thriving Congregation.
Are you interested in learning more about why the the Helping Churches Thrive cohort might be right for your congregation? Access an article here to learn more!
Helping Churches Thrive Cohorts
Shared Learning Cohorts focus on rethinking congregational thriving, church sustainability and emerging young adult ministries.
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.
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:
Register here.
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:
To learn more, click here.
Creative Workshops and Retreats
Collaborative workshops are offered across the state for all congregations.
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.
Cohort Alum and Colleague Congregations
Together, these congregations represent a wide range of contexts, cultures, and communities—each engaging the question of what it means to thrive in their unique setting. Already, a diverse group of congregations from across North Carolina have participated in the Helping Churches Thrive shared learning cohort, including:
| Brunswick Islands Baptist Church Canton First Baptist Edenton Baptist Church Embrace Church First Baptist Church of Elkin First Baptist Church of High Point First Baptist Church of Monroe First Baptist Church of Morehead City First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton First Baptist Church of Smithfield First Baptist Church of Spindale |
First Baptist Church of Valdese |
To learn more about the program and be included in further announcements, please email Andy Hale.
