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

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.
Looking for 6261 Gaining Strength schedules and information? Click the button below.
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.

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 your congregation or ministry setting
- Deeper personal and vocational self-awareness and understanding, utilizing Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, Strength Finders, and beyond
- Collegial partnerships that lead to expanded community and congregational partnerships
- Mobilizing congregants through contemplative, spiritual practices
- Riding the waves of cultural transformation as your congregation makes the shift
- Anchor Church as a component of 6261 Ministry Communities and how to join/form one
- Not adding to your workload - instead, gaining strength and capacity by collaboration
Cohort Schedules
Current Cohort Schedules:
Duration: April 2024 - October 2025
Retreats:
Apr 2024: Getting started
- April 17-18, 2024 (in-person)
July 2024 - Apr 2025: Working it out
- July 31, 2024 (zoom)
- October 23-24, 2024 (in-person)
- April 2025 (in-person)
- January 2025 (zoom)
Oct 2025: Wrapping up
- October 20-22 2025 (in-person) Updated 9/9/25: POSTPONED New Date TBD
- July 2025 (zoom)
Duration: October 2025 - April 2027
Retreats:
Oct 2025: Getting started
- October 22-24, 2025 (in-person) Updated 9/9/25: POSTPONED New Date TBD
- January 21, 2026 (zoom)
Nov 2026 - Mar 2027: Working it out
- April 20-22, 2026 (in-person)
- July 2026 (zoom)
- October 19-21, 2026 (in-person)
- January 2027 (zoom)
Apr 2027: Wrapping up
- April 2027 (in-person)
