Workshop Preparation

Workshop 1

With Workshop 1, your work as Facilitator begins in earnest. Your group takes its first steps toward becoming a strong team - sharing stories, learning together, building trust in the RenewalWorks process and each other. The main topic is spiritual growth. The research presented in Footsteps is introduced along with the spiritual continuum and spiritual growth catalysts. Workshop exercises help participants reflect on the dynamic nature of their own faith and how church and clergy can support and encourage spiritual growth.

Additional Resources for Workshop 1

Spiritual Life-Line Exercise Handout & Example

To save time in the workshop, we encourage Facilitators to distribute the spiritual lifeline worksheet and instructions to the workshop team members prior to Workshop 1. Members should to bring it completed to Workshop 1.

Workshop 2

The second workshop is all about understanding who the congregation is - what are their beliefs, spiritual practices and how do they put their faith in action within the community. How satisfied are they with the way the church organization is supporting their spiritual growth? To do this, you will spend the bulk of the workshop reviewing Data Report 1.

To begin the workshop, team members review demographic information of the community and their church. This helps members understand how the church reflects the broader community. At the end of the session, the team will chose the beliefs and spiritual practices which are most important to them and ones which they would like to learn more.

Prior to facilitating Workshop 2, the Facilitator and Rector should schedule a one-hour call with RW staff to review the data findings reports together.

Additional Resources for Workshop 2

Parish & Community Profile Homework

In preparation for Workshop 2, the Facilitator Guide asks you to gather demographic information about both your parish and community. This document provides updated links to access that information and an editable form to fill in the data.

Beliefs & Practices Dot Exercise

Workshop 2 includes and exercise to reflect on on the beliefs & practices of the Episcopal Church. Below you will find a file that can be used to print these beliefs & practices to be hang on the wall of your meeting room for the exercise and an excel file to tally the results of the exercise.

Workshop 3

Building on learnings of Workshop 2, this session looks at RenewalWorks research around the most spiritually vital congregations - what are their best practices? How can these best practices be applied to my church?

Additional Resources for Workshop 3

Heart of the Leader Breakout Guide

Additional guidance for structuring your Heart of the Leader breakout session

Workshop 4

Workshop 4 brings you to the final gathering to help your congregation make spiritual growth a priority. You will review what you have learned about spiritual growth and your congregation to develop concrete next steps for refocusing on growing in love of God and neighbor. You will also take a look at your individual commitments to spiritual growth, and close the end of the workshop series with thanksgiving to God for this time and work together.