Hope Partnership launches innovative, shared business model with mainline Protestant denominations
Hope Partnership for Missional Transformation has formed a groundbreaking ecumenical partnership, bringing together the best practices and services of mainline Protestant denominations through their respective church extension funds, using an innovative ecumenical business model to serve each other. The best practices of programs and services, a new network of colleagues, decades of experiences, leadership, and faith have been pooled to provide transformational ministry services to a wider ecumenical network of congregations.
Hope Partnership services help congregations—regardless of denominational identity.
“Our approach respects the uniqueness of every congregation, and builds on the assets in its own context,” says Rick Morse, vice president of Hope Partnership. “Churches that work through the transformational process frequently make a bold decision and find a renewed missional calling for their future.”
With a growing national ecumenical network of trained facilitators and coaches—bolstered by this collaboration—Hope Partnership assists both struggling and thriving congregations to move into financially sustainable, life-transforming mission.
Participating church extension funds are from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Episcopal Church, and the United Church of Christ. Church extension funds provide capital financing to churches and ministry programs for building purchases, construction, renovation, as well as property redevelopment projects. Since 2014, presidents of the church extension funds began to meet to identify common dilemmas related to struggling congregations and subsequently determine how they can best work together to support their shared goals.
“This is a visible expression of true ecumenical partnership,” says Gilberto Collazo, president of Hope Partnership. “We are all sharing our resources and expertise so more communities can be touched by empowered churches doing ministry in new ways.”
Ministry Services
New Beginnings
For the congregation that knows it can’t continue ‘as is’ but doesn’t yet know what to do.
Over 1,000 congregations have engaged the New Beginnings process, with 99% finding clarity and embracing a new vision for their future ministry. Read more about New Beginnings.
Mission Pathways
For the congregation that wants to move forward and needs a plan.
The Mission Pathways process shows congregations how to use the capital, relational, and spiritual assets they currently have to be a transformative force in their communities. Read more about Mission Pathways.
Epiphany
For the congregation longing to become a transforming presence both inside and outside of your church walls.
The Epiphany service is designed to help your congregation imagine, and then live into, a new vision for mission. Read more about Epiphany.
Recasting – The Multi-Church Cluster
For the cluster of congregations seeking to unleash Spirit-filled energy from working in community.
Recasting is a multi-church transformation process, conducted with a cluster of (up to six) congregations to benefit from the dynamics of gathering in community. Congregations coming together to reimagine their ministries has proven to stimulate creativity, encourage accountability, and enhance a Spirit filled-experience for all. Read more about Recasting.
