Congregational development consultants gathered April 14-15  at Immaculate Heart Retreat Center in Spokane to begin the development and training for a diocesan  congregational development program. Facilitated by Betsy Greenman, retired Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Olympia, the group learned about various needs, methods and resources for working with congregations and participated in several guided case studies.

The consulting team grew from a mandate from Diocesan Council and Bishop Waggoner to build a congregational development program in the Diocese. At  its September  meeting, the Council adopted a report from the Mission Strategy Committee which highlighted the need  to assist congregations with articulating and implementing  their mission and vision.

Bishop Waggoner told the consulting group that a strong healthy diocese requires strong healthy congregations and reaffirmed the diocesan mandate of building “growing, dynamic communities of faith”.

In the next few months the consults with gather again for further training.  A survey has also  been prepared for clergy and wardens to assess their  congregations’ current strengths and priorities  for consulting or assistance. The survey will be made available  later this month.

Consultants will begin active work with in congregations later this year.

The team includes Bob Reilly, Wenatchee;  Bob Alexander,  Yakima;  Jan McCall, Pasco;  Lisa Stagaman, Spokane;  Bev Coram, Spokane;  Bryan Krislock, Spokane; the Rev. Paul Lebens-Englund, Spokane;  the Rev. Elizabeth Hasen, Spokane;  the Rev. Canon Holladay Sanderson, Moses Lake and Cheney, and the Rev. Canon Kristi Philip, Spokane.

For more information about this program please contact  Canon  Philip at kristip@spokanediocese.org or 509.624.3191.