Lott Carey is pleased to announce the continuation of its mission to empower congregations through the Thriving Congregations Initiative. With a focus on nurturing the capacities of congregations for impactful and faithful witness, this initiative supports faith communities striving to enhance their spiritual vitality.

Thanks to generous funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Thriving Congregations Initiative is set to support selected congregations across the United States. This program offers technical assistance, training, and mentoring to help congregations discern their unique context, clarify their purpose, and boost their overall vitality.

While the initiative will work intimately with approximately 60 congregations, the insights and learnings gleaned from this experience will be documented and shared. This dissemination of knowledge aims to inspire and inform the work of thousands of churches and partners within the Lott Carey network.

The upcoming cohort, focusing on the Northeast Region, is scheduled to undergo an 18-month training program starting in the fall of 2024. This comprehensive training will blend in-person sessions with virtual learning, ensuring a robust and flexible educational experience.

Who Should Join?

The Thriving Congregations cohort is ideal for congregations that:

  1. Seek to deepen their understanding of their community context, identify their strengths, and rejuvenate their ministry.
  2. Are committed to engaging their pastoral leaders and laypersons in a series of six quarterly in-person training sessions and monthly virtual gatherings.
  3. Serve primarily within the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania.

Lott Carey pledges to cover all costs related to instructional materials, including books, access to thought leaders, mentors, and meals during in-person sessions. Participating congregations will be responsible for their lodging and transportation expenses.

We invite you to seize this opportunity to enrich your congregation’s journey. For those interested in learning more about the Thriving Congregations Initiative, please reach out to us at thriving@lottcarey.org.

Thank you for considering this transformative experience.

Key Dates for the Northeast Region Cohort:

  • September 13-14, 2024
  • November 8-9, 2024
  • March 14-15, 2025
  • May 2-3, 2025
  • September 19-20, 2025
  • October 17-18, 2025

For more information or to join the cohort, contact Lott Carey at:

  • Phone: 301.429.3300
  • Email: thriving@lottcarey.org
  • Website: www.lottcarey.org

Lott Carey is dedicated to fostering thriving congregations that can recognize and adapt to the evolving social and cultural landscapes. Through this initiative, we aim to equip church leaders with the tools necessary to clarify their mission and cultivate practices that enhance their community’s faithfulness and effectiveness. Join us as we embark on this journey of growth and transformation.