by: Rev. Dr. Anna Hall
You are not alone. Many congregations these days are facing:
- Shrinking numbers
- Lack of younger people
- Struggles with change
- Financial sustainability
- Church conflict
- Volunteer burnout
- Aging buildings and grounds
- Increasing pastoral care needs of aging members
These challenges can leave you feeling overwhelmed. It may feel like you have tried to address these issues but aren’t making any progress. Alternatively, you may feel stuck in place and don’t know where to start.
But what if you had a clear, data-driven roadmap to renewed vitality?
Insight, Not Guesswork
At Convergence, we replace uncertainty with clarity through effective, data-driven strategies to address all of these challenges. Our powerful Convergence Vitality Assessment reveals the complete picture of your congregational situation and illuminates a path to where you want to be.
The Convergence Vitality Assessment was developed in 2017 using peer-reviewed research on every dimension of vitality in congregations, nonprofits, and business organizations, and refined through our work with hundreds of congregations. We then evolved the assessment to respond to pandemic-related and other shifts in congregational life. We’ve now surveyed over 10,000 leaders and participants and incorporated their feedback to ensure our assessment addresses the real-world challenges you face.
This assessment measures all aspects of congregational life and health, including:
- Spiritual Life & Engagement: Attendance, spiritual practices, member participation, and how welcoming you are to newcomers.
- Participant Perceptions: Optimism, whether you have a shared mission, vision, and purpose, and whether your people believe you are making an impact.
- Leadership & Operations: Financial health, facilities management, communication strategies, conflict transformation skills, and your capacity for change.
- Community & Context: Your connection to the surrounding neighborhood, member demographics, neighbor demographics, needs, and religious identities, and impact on the wider community.
A Clear Plan for a Vibrant Future
This isn’t just about data; it’s about transformation. We use these insights to deliver a practical, proven plan that will:
- Celebrate Your Strengths: We’ll help you identify what makes your congregation unique so you can build on solid ground.
- Uncover Root Causes: We dive deep to find the “why” behind your challenges, moving you beyond treating symptoms.
- Provide Actionable Steps: You’ll receive clear, prioritized recommendations to strengthen your community and ministry.
Real Results
Hope United Church of Christ used the data and recommendations from their Convergence Vitality Assessment to improve its vitality. They built relationships with participants and newcomers through digital ministry and improving welcome, partnered with local community organizations, and increased building use income by 250%. They also worked to focus their congregational energy on doing fewer things and do those with excellence by consolidating several teams and adjusting worship offerings. Worship attendance this year is 12%-17% higher than last year, and giving is up 5.6%. Their pastor says, “I think we are already seeing the fruits of this work, and there is a positive spirit and energy here.”
Are you ready to move your congregation from struggling to thriving? Let’s start the conversation. Contact Gregg Carlson or me, Anna Hall, to talk with us about how we can help.