The graduation ceremony, held at the National Cathedral School, honored the perseverance, creativity, and spiritual growth of this second cohort. Through reflection and storytelling, participants shared how this extended process has reshaped their understanding of leadership, outreach, and belonging in a rapidly changing church landscape.
🌱 Planting the Seeds of Leadership
A core theme across all nine parishes was the emergence of shared leadership. Whether in small urban congregations or larger suburban settings, clergy and lay leaders alike reported a growing comfort with passing responsibility—literally and symbolically—to new hands by “passing the keys.”
“We’ve talked for years about raising up new leaders,” said one participant.* “But Tending Our Soil gave us a structure and the push to actually do it.” The phrase “passing the keys,” surfaced repeatedly in parish reflections, becoming a metaphor for trusting and empowering the next generation.
This leadership development wasn’t limited to formal roles. Parishioners described a broader cultural shift: from relying on a few to mobilizing the many, and from fearing change to experimenting with it.
🌱 Growing Community Roots
Another profound learning emerged in the arena of community engagement. Each parish used data from tools like MissionInsite and paired it with intentional listening in their neighborhoods—via walking tours, surveys, and conversations with neighbors—to better understand the lives around them.
“Before this, we thought we knew our community,” one lay leader reflected. “But we were guessing. Now we’re in relationship.”
Parishes created or deepened outreach efforts in response: Third Space ministries, community gardens, pavilion events, youth partnerships, and even fabric giveaways—all of which reflected a growing desire to connect authentically and serve creatively. The process helped congregations pivot from internal preservation to external invitation.
🌱 Welcoming with Intention
Hospitality was another area where transformation took root. Several parishes formed newcomer teams, used shared language around welcome, and redesigned Sunday and weekday experiences to be more inclusive and accessible. The Invite Welcome Connect framework became a helpful tool for building intentional systems of hospitality—not just relying on chance or individual charisma.
One participant shared, “We realized our welcome mat was out, but no one was dusting it off. Now we’re curating the experience for new people in a thoughtful way.”
This intentionality also extended to existing members, as parishes worked to hear from all voices—not just long-timers or leadership—through story circles, surveys, and “deep listening” sessions.
🌱 The Power of Story and Data
Tending Our Soil emphasized the importance of combining data with storytelling. While community data and parish metrics provided a valuable mirror, it was the personal testimonies that truly brought discernment to life. Many congregations used storytelling not only to identify gifts and needs, but also to uncover assumptions and reconnect with spiritual purpose.
“Telling our stories reminded us of who we are,” one parishioner said. “Listening to others reminded us of who we’re called to be.”
This dual approach—analytic and anecdotal—helped congregations develop mission and vision statements that felt rooted, authentic, and relevant.
🌱 Embracing Holy Experimentation
Creativity abounded during the process. From health clinics and music events to neighborhood engagement teams and redesigned coffee hours, parishes felt encouraged to “try something new,” even if it failed. One vestry member called it a culture shift from perfection to participation.
The TOS framework gave parishes permission to ask bold questions: What does the Spirit want to do with us? What are we resisting? What’s worth risking? In many cases, asking these questions sparked more energy than finding immediate answers.
🌱 Belonging and the Wider Church
Finally, participants reflected on a renewed sense of belonging—to their parish, to the diocese, and to The Episcopal Church at large. Some spoke movingly of returning to their faith with fresh purpose. Others noted how hearing the struggles and joys of other parishes brought solidarity and encouragement.
“Tending Our Soil reminded me I’m not alone,” one participant said. “There are others tending too—others dreaming, listening, struggling, and growing.”
🌱 A Continuing Journey
Though the three-year journey has formally concluded, the work is far from over. Each parish leaves the cohort with a set of mission-aligned goals, clearer practices for discernment, and deeper confidence in their gifts. More importantly, they leave with a sense of hope.
As one priest remarked during the graduation, “We’re not just changing strategies. We’re learning how to trust God in new soil.”
The final cohort of parishes is already underway, building on the wisdom and courage of those who’ve gone before. And while every parish’s path may look different, the shared journey—of listening, learning, and living the Gospel in new ways—continues.
Benjamin Bynum
Tending Our Soil Coach
*The congregations in this cohort are: Church of the Ascension, Gaithersburg; Church of Our Saviour, Hillandale; Christ Church, Durham; Epiphany, Forestville; Grace, Silver Spring; St. Anne’s, Damascus; St. Luke’s, Brighton; St. Mark’s, Fairland; and St. Monica and St. James, DC. All participant quotes come from sticky notes shared during a reflection activity on graduation day.
