Inspired by the life and legacy of the Venerable Augustus Tolton, we have identified the following characteristics of thriving congregations that would inspire renewal and transformation in those Catholic parishes with a strong African-American presence. It is these principles we hope to explore with and animate within our local Church through the Thriving Congregations learning community:
 
The average congregant needs to trust in the new understandings of ancient sacred traditions, beliefs, values, and relationships that must be forged in today’s world. God is ever ancient, yet ever new.
 
Tolton’s life is an example of how to live a life of holiness and wholeness despite setbacks, both personal and institutional. Thriving congregations have the ability, through the power of community, to triumph over tragedy, embracing both the joys and sorrows of life in a spirit of suffering service.
 

• Thriving congregations bring others to Christ through strong evangelization efforts. This commitment to community is exhibited by a willingness to collaborate with organizations beyond the parish walls and efforts to put faith in action through the corporal works of mercy and outreach to those on the margins

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• Thriving congregations promote a sense of responsibility and ownership of the parish and community at large, which includes passing on the faith to the next generation. 

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• Thriving congregations engage in courageous conversations. They are willing to take risks to stand for what is right, to speak prophetically, and to call out injustice when it is manifest.

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• Thriving congregations rely on radical hospitality to grow the church. They operate with the philosophy that they may not have much but what they do have, they are going to share.

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• Thriving congregations are mission-driven. They repair broken relationships, renew good relationships so they can be great, and replant regularly to grow new relationships.

LEADERSHIP

Upcoming Virtual Workshops & Courses

UPCOMING VIRTUAL COURSES & WEBINARS

Young Adult & Teenage Discipleship and Engagement (Two-month course)

Jake Mulder, M.Div., senior director of strategy, Fuller Youth Institute

Start Date: May 12 End Date: June 30

Every Thursday, 9:00 AM-10:30 AM CST

➢Sticky Faith Leaders: Building Lifelong Faith

Sticky Faith gives ministry leaders a research-based theological framework they can offer parents and families and a host of practical relationships and programming ideas that develop long-term faith in teenagers. It's never too early or too late to start developing a faith that continues to grow and lasts. 50% of students walk away from the church after graduating high school. 

➢Growing Young: Seeing and Unleashing The Passion Of Young People In Churches

Churches are losing both members and vitality as increasing numbers of young people disengage. Based on the Fuller Youth Institute's groundbreaking Growing Young research with over 250 of the United States' leading congregations, this workshop will offer a strategy that parishes can use to better notice, involve, and retain teenagers and young adults overall congregational vitality. 

The workshop will profile innovative churches that are engaging 15-to 29-year-olds and, as a result, are growing in their mission spiritually, emotionally, and numerically. Pastors and church leaders will learn how to position their church to engage younger generations in a way that breathes life and energy into the whole church. 

Please click the link below to enroll in this course.

https://forms.gle/Bw6K9VSfw8Xthyk49

Mental Health in Your Congregation (Webinar for Mental Health Awareness Month)

Dr. Brandy S. Peoples, Rose Jackson-Beavers, and Tamela Wright

Saturday, May 14, 12:00 PM- 1:30 PM CST

There are many tools available to help leaders and teams be equipped to be "first responders" and provide help for those suffering from mental health issues. This workshop will introduce you to some of these tools, including reducing mental health stigma, gaining insight into mental illness signs and symptoms, and raising the concepts and skills to help you be "trauma-informed."

The workshop will teach you how to help adults and youth who are developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. In addition, it includes identifying, understanding, and responding to signs and symptoms. We will discuss why we must change the stigma on mental health and how congregations can help by becoming behavioral health knowledgeable.

Please click the link below to register for this FREE event.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mental-health-and-your-congregation-tickets-311260738247?fbclid=IwAR315W7F7bdurVV3mmk7Bw9IeBRtwCZWPDR8PxtBCwBHniC263yincqeiqU

Embodied Practices for Trauma Resilience (Two-month course)

Jessica Young Brown, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist

Start Date: July 7 End Date: Aug 25

Every Thursday- 12:00 PM- 1:30 PM CST

Embodied Practices for Trauma Resilience is a workshop that will focus on understanding the impact of personal and global trauma on the body of Christ, our relationships, and our spiritual practices. The focus will be on navigating relationships and meeting the needs of traumatized parishioners. Each week, we will provide students with experiential strategies for managing personal and communal trauma. Furthermore, the workshop will engage in embodied practices that help reconnect to a sense of safety in the midst of a troubling world and build skills for extending this safety into the communities the church is called to serve. 

Please click the link below to enroll in this course.

https://forms.gle/Bw6K9VSfw8Xthyk49

Inspiring Generosity in Your Congregation (One-month course)

Rosario & Callie Picardo- Founder of Deep Roots Financial

Start Date: Oct 6 End Date: Oct 27

Every Thursday- 10:00 AM- 11:30 AM CST

Beyond meeting the budget, how do you lead a movement of generosity impacting your congregation for the transformation of the world? Join Callie and Rosario Picardo, co-authors of Money Talks: A Biblical Take on Earning, Saving, Spending, and Giving. This workshop will provide practical tools and real-life examples to help individuals and congregations implement God's word about money for a life-transforming impact.

Please click the link below to enroll in this course.

https://forms.gle/Bw6K9VSfw8Xthyk49

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact the program manager, Shakira Morrissette, at smorrissette@archchicago.org.