What’s Next?

Following the #RethinkingChurch Virtual Summit, #RethinkingChurch Strategies will become a social impact organization working with leaders who are committed to identifying community issues and creating solutions and models that can be replicated across the country. We will build collaborative communities to work on the following issues. Some of the issues will be addressed through our Think Tanks while others will be addressed through Advisory Councils and by establishing partnerships with organizations currently working in the focus areas. As we rethink the concept of ‘church’, it is imperative that we create communities focused on economic empowerment and leadership development while promoting Christian values.

Child Care

Issue: child care deserts and academic performance of students

Goal: to develop models for child care centers that address the spiritual, emotional, physical, and educational needs of children 0-5 years of age. Establishing church-based child care centers can become an economic driver for communities by offering employment opportunities as well as assisting families needing quality child care. By focusing on early childhood development, we can potentially impact their future academic outcomes.

Digital Discipleship

Issue: understanding how digital media can be used for disciple-making

Goal: to develop resources for discipleship using digital media. Rather than focusing on the streaming and sharing of content, models will be developed that create online communities for relationship building that leads to discipleship.

Economic Empowerment

Issue: the lack of access to capital and capacity for small business owners and small not for profits

Goal: to support the small businesses and not for profits within congregations. Many churches are filled with business owners and leaders of not for profits; however, they are rarely supported by the congregation. Tools and resources will be created to support the economic drivers within their communities.

Food Security

Issue: food insecurity and food deserts

Goal: to develop models for cooperative grocery stores and partnerships with local farmers for communities lacking access to healthy food.

Home Security

Issue: homelessness and lack of homeownership

Goal: to address the systemic issues that lead to homelessness and prevent communities from owning homes. Models will be created based on the understanding of why homelessness exists and practical strategies to house the population outside of shelters. Additionally, tools and resources will be developed to create more pathways to homeownership.

Imagining the Church of the Future

Issue: what will the ‘church’ look like in 20 years

Goal: to work with youth to understand their spiritual needs, how they process information, and how the gospel can be shared in ways that will encourage their active participation in ministry.

Mental Health Support

Issue: addressing the mental health of congregations

Goal: to understand how the church can effectively minister to the needs of their congregations by reducing the stigma attached to seeking therapy and to understand the different types of therapy.

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome

Issue: the legacy of slavery within the black and white church

Goal: to provide resources and support for congregations seeking to understand the impact that the slave culture had and continues to have in church culture as well as its contributions to the prison industrial complex, the school to prison pipeline, and police brutality.

Voter Education

Issue: low voter turnout and engagement

Goal: to increase civic engagement within local communities and provide resources for persons seeking to campaign for political office

Women in Ministry

Issue: many women feel unsupported within the patriarchal church culture

Goal: to provide leadership development for women seeking to serve in and out of the pulpit