What’s next for my congregation? It’s time to go from “quiet wondering” about the future to exploring the possibilities. Congregations in numerical decline can have conversations about their trajectory without shame or stigma. When we view congregational endings in light of Christ’s death and resurrection, we can open ourselves to new beginnings. We can cultivate hope and trust in what God may be doing. This webinar is ideal for clergy and laity who think closure, merger, or other major changes could be in their congregation’s future — even if it feels like 15-20 years down the line. Participants will be equipped for faithful conversations that make space for holy imagination about congregational futures.
Join us on Tuesday, September 26th at 2:00pm CST for this webinar.
Rev. Diane Kenaston (she/her) is a clergy coach and co-founder of the Good Friday Collaborative, an ecumenical ministry supporting congregational leaders whose churches are faithfully concluding existing ministry. This could include closing, merging, relocating, right-sizing staff, or restarting. During her decade of experience pastoring United Methodist churches in West Virginia and Missouri, Diane led a church merger and facilitated the sale of two parsonages and a charge realignment. She now coaches others through adaptive change. Diane is passionate about cultivating communities of justice and peace, and her ministry is grounded in family systems theory and asset-based community development. She currently serves as board secretary for Young Clergy Women International. Diane and her clergy spouse have one very energetic four-year-old child.