On May 5th, a gathering of diverse groups of leaders met at First Baptist on Fifth in Winston-Salem to explore new ways of connection and purpose for congregations and communities. We aimed to gain insights on how the Center for Congregational Health (CCH) can best meet future needs and discover new ways for CCH to fulfill its mission and vision. This work is deeply rooted in the belief that when congregations thrive, communities thrive.
It was inspiring to spend time with the dedicated individuals who attended (drawing from the rich perspectives shared by the 19 voices in the room!). We explored our current reality and dared to ‘imagine future possibilities’. A significant part of our conversation centered on the essential qualities needed for strong partnerships. Qualities like contextual awareness, a truly relational and collaborative approach (‘walking with’), competence balanced with humility, emotional and spiritual intelligence, clear communication, and visionary thinking were highlighted as crucial for effective collaboration.
We heard heart-felt hopes for congregations to be more connected to their neighborhoods, to reframe success, and to know they don’t have to do this work alone. Attendees also generously shared the diverse assets they bring to a supportive network, including expertise in areas like trauma-informed care, coaching, communication platforms, and relational gifts. While acknowledging pressing needs like financial sustainability, leadership transitions, and adapting to change, the collective spirit was one of finding collaborative solutions.
As the facilitator of this meeting, I felt our gathering represented a vibrant step towards building a “system of connection and influence” for healthier congregations and communities. I’m grateful to everyone who brought their wisdom, perspectives, and hope. While this is just the beginning of the journey, it’s clear to me that by working together, embodying these partnership qualities, and leveraging our shared assets, we can indeed find new ways for collective health and thriving!
Michael Cheuk, CCH Consultant