2021 Annual Report
Growth: Beyond Surviving into Thriving
Our Mission
The Center for Congregations strengthens Indiana congregations by helping them find and use the best resources to address their challenges and opportunities.
The Center for Congregations is funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. and is a supporting organization of Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
As congregations began to reopen for in-person worship, there was an undeniable shift. A shift that required more. The Center responded and Indiana congregations expanded, rebranded, church planted and experimented with non-traditional forms of worship — experiments for many congregations that led to increased worshipers.
Center for Congregations
Rev. Timothy Shapiro, D. Min
317Church Launching in Hendricks County
There are 100,000 people in Hendricks County — the third fastest growing county in Indiana — who are not a part of a congregation. 317Church in Avon is on a mission to become a church who reaches those individuals even if they never enter the doors of their church.
New Church Evolves from Young Adults Initiative
Throughout the pandemic, Living Word Baptist Church in Indianapolis saw how people of all ages were re-thinking how they engaged with their faith as they searched for new and different ways to worship. They took to heart the message from young adults that wanted an alternative to Sunday-in-the-pew worship.
These grants were transformative. They helped our church stay connected to the most precious part of our ministry– the children, and it helped me as a pastor continue to fulfill my calling to serve God’s people at all ages and levels.
Senior Pastor, Amazing Grace Christian Church
Valparaiso Nazarene Church: Empowering Congregations Through the Use of Technology
Through their Connect Through Tech grant with the Center, Valparaiso Nazarene Church of Valparaiso, Indiana, was able to upgrade their tech equipment to better keep up with the need for online ministry. However, this congregation’s grant journey would quickly evolve into so much more. After connecting other congregations in their area who needed help with their own technology, Valparaiso Nazarene Church took it upon themselves to walk alongside these churches and show them the way. These connections opened the doors to new friendships, community partnerships, and even the start of a new ministry and business.
Amazing Grace Christian Church and the “Amazing Bible Stories” Video Series
For Amazing Grace Christian Church of Indianapolis, Indiana, what began as an effort to reach the adult members of their congregation through online services during the pandemic grew into a creative effort to keep children engaged through a new form of ministry– online Bible lessons. With support from the Center, Amazing Grace Christian Church expanded their horizons and created the “Amazing Bible Stories” video series, allowing this congregation to stay connected to the most precious part of their ministry– the children.
The CRG
The Center for Congregations helps Indiana congregations through no cost consulting, educational events, grants, and additional resources.
- We listen to congregations about their needs.
- We provide information and options without telling congregations what to do.
- We help congregations find vendors, consultants and organizations.
- We give congregations the space and time to work through the information.
- And we offer grants to help congregations fund these things.
Meet the Team
The Center for Congregations’ board and staff is a group of passionate and dedicated people who are committed to serving Indiana congregations. Meet them and learn from the staff how they’ve witnessed growth beyond the pandemic.
Our 2021 Board Members
Our Staff
There’s always going to be adversity, the victory is in how you face it. Our congregations & team members CHOSE to face everything that came their way and as a result, we are all better for it.
Center communications grew to another level as we connected with more rural, minority and smaller congregations. This made for great dialogue with congregational leaders and challenged our staff to think “outside of the box” even more.
I have been so encouraged by how congregations have stretched themselves throughout 2021. The adaptability and desire to thrive in the midst of a difficult time has truly been inspirational.
Somewhere between “just getting through” and “settling into a new normal” we found the courage to ask questions of ourselves; to be present; to listen to others. Often this means we notice more of what needs to be fixed or changed – but it also offers the chance to choose to do better. When I have witnessed this in congregations, in the Center, and in myself, I see us cultivating the things we value: honesty, authenticity & compassion (just to name a few).
