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 Northwest Region that seeks to enter into an intentional transformation process.

How does the Journey of Discovery process work in the Northwest Region?

A congregation in the Northwest Regional 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 Northwest 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;
• On-going 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.