Cohort Goals for Church Leaders Engaging in Community Organizing

1. Deepen Your Theological Foundations for Public Witness

  • Develop a strong theological grounding for why the church engages in justice-focused community organizing.

  • Explore biblical texts and traditions that illuminate the church’s public calling.

  • Integrate spiritual practices—discernment, prayer, reflection—into the daily work of leading change.

2. Equip Pastors to Engage the Public Square

  • Provide a robust understanding of the public square as the shared civic arena—physical and metaphorical—where communities deliberate, debate, and collaborate around issues affecting the common good.

  • Train pastors/church leaders to navigate this space faithfully, confidently, and ethically, representing a Christian witness that is respectful, inclusive, and oriented toward community flourishing.

  • Help church leaders articulate their congregation’s public voice while collaborating with civic, nonprofit, and interfaith partners.

3. Build Practical Organizing Skills for Ministry Contexts

  • Learn core organizing tools such as one-to-one meetings, power mapping, base-building, and identifying actionable issues.

  • Gain facilitation skills for listening sessions, congregational conversations, and collaborative decision-making.

  • Learn how to help congregations surface shared concerns, set priorities, and mobilize volunteers toward meaningful action.

4. Grow as Faith-Rooted Leaders Equipped for Community Engagement

  • Strengthen leadership grounded in humility, authenticity, relational wisdom, and cultural competence.

  • Learn how to develop and support congregational leadership teams that can sustain organizing efforts.

  • Engage in peer learning, mentoring, and spiritual support with other leaders navigating similar ministry challenges.

5. Advance Equity, Justice, and Community Power Through Faith-Based Action

  • Identify systemic inequities affecting local communities using tools such as racial equity analysis and asset mapping.

  • Practice inclusive organizing strategies that honor the diversity within congregations and neighborhoods.

  • Build collaborative relationships with congregations, nonprofit partners, and community organizations.

  • Amplify marginalized voices and strengthen shared power through network-building and justice-centered leadership.

6. Design and Launch Congregation-Based Organizing Projects

  • Develop a congregation-specific organizing initiative rooted in mission and community-identified needs.

  • Receive coaching on project planning, communication, leadership roles, and setting measurable goals.

  • Engage in public witness, community partnerships, and collective problem-solving that lead to sustainable impact.

7. Participate in a Cohort-Based Learning Community

  • Learn alongside peers from other congregations and ministry contexts.

  • Strengthen cross-congregational collaboration to expand collective impact.

  • Build networks for ongoing learning, resource sharing, and regional leadership development.

8. Demonstrate Impact, Accountability, and Learning in Ministry Settings

  • Utilize evaluation tools and reflective practices to measure growth and community impact.

  • Strengthen transparency and accountability within the congregation throughout organizing efforts.

  • Document and share learnings, case studies, and ministry innovations for broader use across the church.

Mark Bennett