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What
is the Journey of Discovery?
“Journey
of Discovery” is the name given
by the Northwest Region to a five-phase
congregational transformation process
developed by the Center for Parish Development
in Chicago, IL. The Journey of Discovery,
which is underwritten by a special fund
designated by the Regional Board, is offered
to any congregation in the NW Region
that seeks to enter into an intentional
transformation process.
How
does the Journey of Discovery process
work
in the NW Region?
A congregation in the Northwest Region
indicates its decision to embark on the
Journey of Discovery after attending a
“Come and See” event. The
congregation then enters into covenant
with the Region by paying an
initial enrollment fee of $250 and a consulting
fee of $10 times its average worship attendance
figure published in the most recent Yearbook
(not to exceed $1,500). The consulting
fee may be paid in three yearly installments.
In turn, the Northwest Region funds and
provides the participating congregation
with:
-
A
trained consultant who will work closely
with the pastor and the congregation’s
coordinating team throughout the process;
-
Five cluster workshops for the coordinating
team and other phase-related teams led
by the Center for Parish Development
and/or regional consultants corresponding
with the five phases of the Journey;
-
Five manuals for each member of the
congregation’s coordinating team
used to guide their congregation through
each of the five phases in the process;
-
Four specialized workshops giving additional
training to pastors and congregational
leaders;
-
Ongoing consultant support on an as-needed
basis.
How
long does the Journey of Discovery process
take?
The
Journey of Discovery process is designed
to take approximately three years to complete.
However, each congregation sets it’s
own pace and there are no hard and fast
deadlines.
What
are the overall goals of the Journey of
Discovery?
Context:
For
each congregation to recognize and understand
its unique missionary setting and to explore
how it is called to faithful ministry
and mission in that setting.
Vision:
To discern God’s compelling
vision for the congregation now and in
the foreseeable future.
Missional
Strategy: To make key
decisions about the Role and Mission,
Key Result Areas and Goals, Participant
Groups, and Core Beliefs and Commitments
that provide focus for achieving God’s
vision for the congregation.
Road Map:
To develop a strategic
plan that will guide the congregation
as it seeks to realize God’s vision
for its ministry and mission over a 5-10
year period.
Spiritual
Formation and Renewal:
For the congregation to become more Christ-centered
and receptive to the transforming power
of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection:
To provide opportunities throughout the
process for biblical study and reflection
that will provide guidance, spiritual
growth, and greater understanding of the
role of church in today’s culture.
Alignment:
To re-examine the congregation’s
resources (leadership, finances, and facilities),
organizational structures, processes,
ministries and programs in order to align
them with God’s vision for the congregation.
Communication:
To create an information loop that will
keep all the congregation’s leaders
and members fully informed and engaged
through- out the transformation process.
For
specific information about the Northwest
Region’s Journey of Discovery
transformation process, follow the links
provided in the menu on the left.
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