Foundations for a Thriving Church

Foundations for a Thriving Church

TASMCM

Foundations for a Thriving Church is a two-year program for church leaders and pastors designed to help their church thrive.

Moving Toward Success

Churches and pastors can benefit from an organized support group that builds relationships between congregation and pastor. Foundations for a Thriving Church provides the foundation for such a support group by helping pastors, certified lay pastors, and their churches develop a strong base for their ministry.

Objectives

  • Help congregations and pastors develop a plan for achieving spiritual and numerical growth.
  • Support the development of healthy relationships where both pastor and congregation can grow in their faith and share their faith with the community beyond the church walls.
  • Hear God’s unique call for ministry in their mission area and develop a shared vision and goals to guide their work together.
  • Create strategies to attain those goals.
  • Enable churches to evaluate their progress, learn how to fail to succeed, and keep an eye on their vision.

Meeting Platforms

Foundations for a Thriving Church uses two web platforms, with the coach/mentor available for phone and onsite visits when necessary.

  • Moodle – An online, user-friendly, learning site where group members will participate in discussions, interact with each other and the coach/mentor, and submit assignments.
  • Zoom – An online video conferencing meeting room allowing participants to share virtually with each other and the coach/mentor.
  • Phone and In-Person Sessions – One-on-one support from the coach/mentor by telephone or in-person as needed.

Tools for Success

Several tools are employed on the journey to build up your faith community.

  • Collegial Support – Creating time for fellowship when we can pray, work, and play together.
  • Study – Contemplating best practices for the church by examining the Word and using other enlightening resources, including guest speakers.
  • Accountability – Remaining accountable to God and your faith community; reaching out for support and direction as you grow as disciples and make disciples for Christ.

Foundations for a Thriving Church is a program of The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries, which offers courses and programs to provide practical knowledge and skills that can be readily applied in local church ministry.

Dates and Details

This course is online. See Minimum Requirements for Online Learning.

When

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Online meeting dates - webcam required:

Sun, Sep 17, 2023, 5:00 - 7:00pm CDT
Sun, Nov 12, 2023, 5:00 - 7:00pm CST
Sun, Jan 14, 2024, 5:00 - 7:00pm CST
Sun, Mar 10, 2024, 5:00 - 7:00pm CDT
Sun, May 5, 2024, 5:00 - 7:00pm CDT
Sun, Aug 25, 2024, 5:00 - 7:00pm CDT
Sun, Oct 13, 2024, 5:00 - 7:00pm CDT
Sun, Jan 12, 2025, 5:00 - 7:00pm CST
Sun, Mar 16, 2025, 5:00 - 7:00pm CDT

Registration deadline

Fee

$50 registration fee includes curriculum and online meeting platforms

Contact

Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis

Facilitator(s)

Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis

Carl Ellis

Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis
Founder, Executive Director, Lead Facilitator, Board Member, CEO
Kansas

The Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis, founder and executive director of The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries, grew up in a small membership church in San Francisco California. He has served as a pastor for 45 years; 40 years in rural churches and 5 years on the Kansas West Conference Staff as Director of the Center for Small Membership Churches.

Learn more

Who Can Apply

Up to 12 pastors with their churches who are willing to commit to the two-year group can apply for the program. By committing to work as a team for 24 months, pastors and their churches will build the foundation for a successful ministry together. Contact Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis, The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries, to schedule a conversation before the first meeting.

By committing to work as a team for 24 months, participating pastors and church members will build a thriving church.