Consulting with Jewish Congregations
Jewish congregations today face a dynamic and evolving landscape. Shifting demographics, intergenerational expectations, financial pressures, and a changing relationship with tradition create challenges and opportunities for communities committed to sustaining Jewish life.
At Convergence, we support Jewish congregations as they navigate these complexities, offering thoughtful guidance, practical tools, and a collaborative approach rooted in respect for your community’s unique identity and values.
“Cameron Trimble, Convergence CEO, is already respected as one of our top church consultants and interdenominational networkers, but with Piloting Church, she also distinguishes herself as one of our best religious writers.”
Although each congregation is different, and our approach in each context is unique, we do follow this general framework:
Our Consultation Approach
Our consulting work begins with listening. We take the time to understand your congregation’s story, challenges, and aspirations. Through an intentional, community-centered process, we create space for honest dialogue, creative thinking, and actionable solutions.
Key elements of our consultation process include:
Community Discovery:
- Congregational Assessments: Through surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we gather insights from members, clergy, and staff to uncover core strengths and pressing needs.
- Cultural and Historical Context: We explore your congregation’s history, values, and vision to ensure our work builds upon your unique identity.
Strategic Visioning and Planning:
- Collaboratively, we help your leadership articulate a vision for the future that inspires your community.
- Together, we develop a strategic plan that aligns your goals with practical steps for achieving them.
Leadership Coaching and Team Development:
- We work with clergy, board members, and staff to enhance collaboration, strengthen decision-making processes, and build trust.
- Our coaching sessions focus on equipping leaders with the skills needed to guide your congregation with confidence.
Innovation Labs:
- For congregations looking to reimagine programming, membership engagement, or community partnerships, we offer facilitated workshops designed to spark creativity and test new approaches.
Conflict Resolution and Healing:
- We assist congregations in addressing tensions or divisions with care and compassion, helping to restore unity and shared purpose.
Rev. Trimble worked with our leadership team to outline where we are and to plan where we could go from here. We considered ideas we had never thought of before and dreamed about new possible ways of being. We realized through this process that this is what it takes to grow churches today – courageous imagination. Rev. Trimble helped us get there.”
Options for Consultation
Our services are flexible and designed to meet congregations where they are. Whether you’re addressing an urgent challenge, preparing for a major transition, or planning long-term engagement, we can tailor our support to your needs.
Examples of consultation formats:
- Short-Term Projects: Focused, intensive sessions to address a specific issue, such as board development, community engagement, or membership/fundraising strategy.
- Ongoing Partnership: Regular meetings and coaching to support congregational leaders through multi-year transitions or initiatives.
- Workshops and Retreats: Facilitated gatherings for clergy, staff, and lay leaders to learn, connect, and collaborate.
- Specialized Training: Skill-building sessions on topics such as healthy communication, Futures Labs, or leading change.
Why Work with Convergence?
Our team has decades of experience working with congregations across a range of faith traditions, including Jewish communities. We approach every project with humility, curiosity, and deep respect for your sacred work. Our goal is not to impose solutions but to help you uncover and implement strategies that feel authentic to your community’s mission and future.
