Every congregation—no matter its size or history—can benefit from a fresh look at its health and purpose. Next Vital Steps is designed to guide churches through revitalization, helping them:
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- Rediscover their core mission
- Reconnect with their community
- Set meaningful goals for sustainable growth
Whether your congregation is facing challenges or simply seeking to strengthen its ministries, this program offers a clear and supportive path toward renewal.
What is Next Vital Steps?
Next Vital Steps builds on the work of Tending Our Soil (TOS), a three-year, grant-funded revitalization initiative concluding in 2026. This new process brings the best of what we’ve learned in TOS to congregations looking for practical ways to foster vitality.
At its heart, revitalization is about engaging in a set of key practices over time:
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- Listening – Understanding where you are and where God is calling you
- Visioning – Setting a clear and Spirit-led direction
- Experimenting – Trying new approaches to ministry and mission
- Seeking the Holy Spirit – Grounding all efforts in faith and discernment
This process also provides accountability and partnership, ensuring that congregations have support and checkpoints along the way. As one rector who participated in TOS put it: “This is work we’ve always planned to do but never were able to make the space for.”
How Does It Work?
The Next Vital Steps process is designed to be manageable and collaborative:
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- Orientation – The rector/priest-in-charge and a lay leader attend an initial session.
- Building a Team – A small group is formed to lead the revitalization efforts.
- Listening Sessions – Three guided conversations help assess where the congregation stands before setting goals.
- Goal Setting – The team discerns a revitalization goal to work on over the next 3-6 months.
- Taking Action – With guidance and resources, the team implements their plan.
Why It Matters
Revitalization is a long-term journey, not a quick fix. Culture change in a congregation typically takes 3-5 years, but small steps can lead to meaningful momentum. As seen in Tending Our Soil, when a team focuses on just one or two areas of vitality, positive change begins to ripple outward.
Resources & Support
Next Vital Steps offers a wide range of tools, including:
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- Vitality assessments
- Mission discernment guidance
- Neighborhood engagement strategies
- Parish discipleship tools
The process is flexible and can be adapted to churches of all sizes.
Take Your Next Step
Whether you’re aiming for culture change or just looking to take a meaningful first step, we’re here to support you.
Reach out to Emily or Anne-Marie to discuss your parish’s unique needs and explore how we can help guide your Next Vital Steps.
The Rev. Emily Labrecque
Missioner for Church Revitalization
Email Emily
269-967-2513
The Rev. Anne-Marie Jeffery
Canon of Congregation Vitality
Email Anne-Marie
301-461-0037
