Gaining Strength

Gaining Strength FULL COLOR

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 Cohorts/6261 Ministry Leadership Bundle Days? Click the button below.

6261 Cohorts/Bundle Days

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, author of "Cultural Architecture" is one facilitator who helps share how to build healthy congregational cultures focused on God's mission.

Resources

The cohort receives resources and tools along the way to help grow and guide as each cohort member discerns the process for their own context.

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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 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

Expectations

If you choose to participate in a Gaining Strength cohort, it is expected that you will be present at each in-person retreat as well as each Zoom session - and 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.
Gaining Strength cohorts are designed to help you in the 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 from the Synod to minimize costs to congregations and individual rostered ministers. Retreat lodging and meals are completely covered as is your copy of “Cultural Architecture.” Mileage and other reading materials are typically covered by the congregation. If these are a burden to your participation, please reach out to Deacon Chelle Huth to explore alternative funding options. Please consider your time as work time or continuing education time.

Cohort Schedules

  • Cohort 1
    0%
    (2022-2023)
  • Cohort 2
    0%
    (2023-2025)
  • Cohort 3
    0%
    (2024-2026)
  • Cohort 4
    0%
    (2026-2027)

Current Cohort Schedules:

Duration: April 2024 - October 2025

Retreats:

Getting started

  • April 17-18, 2024 (in-person)

Working it out

  • July 31, 2024 (zoom)
  • October 23-24, 2024 (in-person)
  • April 2025 (in-person)
  • January 2025 (zoom)

Wrapping up

  • April 20-22, 2026 (in-person) make up date from Oct 2025

Duration: April 2026 - October 2027

Retreats:

Getting started

  • April 22-24, 2026 (in-person) make up date from Oct 2025
  • July 2026 (zoom)

Working it out

  • October 19-21, 2026 (in-person)
  • January 2027 (zoom)
  • April 2027 (in-person)
  • July 2027 (zoom)

Wrapping up

  • October 2027 (in-person)

Cohort 4 Information Sheet

Chelle Huth Headshot 1

Questions?

Contact the Director for Leaders, Deacon Chelle Huth. Visit the synod’s leadership page for the latest contact info.

Contact Chelle