6261 Gaining Strength

Gaining Strength FULL COLOR

6261 Gaining Strength Cohorts

Gaining Strength cohorts bring rostered ministers together from across the NEPA Synod to form relationships with one another and to equip them as leaders of transformation and collaboration. This 6261 cohort will bring groups of pastors and deacons who are already in a 6261 Ministry Community or are in the discernment process with their congregation(s).

18-month process

The cohort has 2 in-person retreats per year along with 2 Zoom meetings per year.

Collegial support

Cohort members will learn from one another and build lasting relationships as they embark on this journey.

Tools for organizational transformation

The Rev. Doug Hill is a leader in the anchor church model and deeply understands the importance of culture for any organization - especially the church community - and will share how to make such transformation happen.

Resources

The cohort receives resources for guiding the 6261 Ministry Community in articulating its core values, mission, and ministry focus.  Each 6261 Ministry Community also receives a coach to help them build as a team and overcome obstacles along the way.

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Goals

Some practical tools you will learn include:

  • Leading and guiding others to understand and develop Christ-centered individual and community core values, missions, and visions that are embedded across all that happens in each of the congregations in your 6261 Ministry Community
  • Deeper personal and vocational self-awareness and understanding, utilizing Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, Strength Finders, and beyond
  • Team building, multi-staff leadership, and utilizing LLMs so that each person plays to their gifts, strengths, and passion
  • Collegial partnerships that lead to expanded community and congregational partnerships
  • Mobilizing congregants through contemplative, spiritual practices
  • Riding the waves of cultural transformation as your congregations and 6261 Ministry Community makes the shift
  • Not adding to your workload - instead, gaining strength and capacity by collaboration - and replicating this at the 6261 Ministry Community level

Expectations

If you are already serving in a 6261 Ministry Community, this cohort is for you! If you and/or your congregation(s) are discerning joining or forming a 6261 Ministry Community, this cohort is also for you!

We hope you will choose to participate in a 6261 Gaining Strength cohort. An expectation of participating is that you will be present at each in-person retreat as well as utilize the Zoom sessions for your particular 6261 Bundle. It is expected that you will come prepared and have read any pre-assigned materials. The cohort’s success depends on members’ participation, willingness to be honest and vulnerable, ownership of strengths and growing edges, and commitment to transformational ministry.

6261 Gaining Strength cohorts are designed to help you in the collaborative ministry you are already doing; they are not intended to create extra work or “another program” to learn and follow.

Cost

The cost of the Gaining Strength cohorts is supported by the Synod to minimize costs to congregations, 6261 Ministry Communities, and individual rostered ministers.  Your copy of “Cultural Architecture” is included as are meals and retreat materials.  Retreats are hosted at a NEPA congregation as centrally located as possible to make commuting feasible.  Mileage and other reading materials are typically covered by the 6261 Ministry Community or congregation(s).  If those costs are a burden to your participation, please reach out to Deacon Kat Tigerman to explore alternative funding options. Please consider your time as work time or continuing education time.

Cohort Schedules

  • 6261 Cohort 1
    0%
    (2025-2026)
  • 6261 Cohort 2
    0%
    (2025-2027)

Current Cohort Schedules:

Duration: March 2025 - September 2026

Retreats:

Mar 2025: Getting started

  • March 31 - April 1, 2025 (in-person)
  • July 2025 (zoom)

May 2025 - Sept 2026: Working it out

  • Sept 2025 (in-person)
  • Jan 2026 (zoom)
  • April 2026 (in-person)
  • July 2026 (zoom)

Oct 2026: Wrapping up

  • Sept 2026

Duration: September 2025 - April 2027

Retreats:

Sept 2025: Getting started

  • September 16-17, 2025 (in-person)
  • January 2026 (zoom)

Oct 2025 - Mar 2027: Working it out

  • April 2026 (in-person)
  • July 2026 (zoom)
  • September 2026 (in-person)
  • January 2027 (zoom)

Apr 2027: Wrapping up

  • July 2025 (zoom)
Deacon Kat Tigerman works as DEM and also helps congregations and ministries develop and grow, both in time-honored and totally new directions. She relates to the Witness & Service Ministry Team and the Mission Interpretation Network.

Questions?

Contact the Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM), Deacon Kat Tigerman

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