Church Transformation

ECO’s Church Transformation process is an instrumental tool in retraining pastors, refocusing leadership, and bringing renewed vitality to our congregations. Church Transformation incorporates a Pastoral Learning Community, the creation and implementation of a Congregational Plan for Transformation, an on-site consultation option, as well as ongoing coaching. All components are vital for true transformation to occur and we are excited to offer this opportunity on a broader scale to our churches and pastors, taking place through a virtual hybrid option (a combination of two in-person meetings and monthly zoom calls over the course of two years).

We have designated two tiers of participation within Church Transformation:

Churches are not obligated to commit to both Tier 1 and Tier 2, although we highly recommend committing to both. Churches are encouraged to begin Tier 2 while their pastors are still involved in Tier 1. If a church is not engaged in Tier 2 we will provide a consultant who will assist the church in the creation of a personal Congregational Plan for Transformation.

Tier 1 – Pastor Learning Community: Pastor Learning Community and the creating and implementation of a congregational plan for transformation.

Tier 2 – Consultation and Coaching: Four-day onsite consultation and follow up coaching for implementation of the Church Transformation process.

Tier 1 Details

PLCs are open to any Pastor Head of Staff, Associate Pastor, or Assistant Pastor who would like to participate. The involved pastor(s) will share these training sessions with their local session and lay leaders via videos and other related resource materials once completed. This allows Associate/Assistant Pastors to aid in the transformation process in their current church and prepares them to become solo or senior pastors. Pastors will meet over the course of 1.5 to 2 years to engage in book studies around topics such as church life cycles, leading through change, evangelism, church and staff leadership, etc. During the meetings, related topics will be discussed along with activities to help participants make needed changes within their congregations and develop a Congregational Plan for Transformation. After each meeting, participants will be given access to additional materials to engage with their session, staff, lay leadership, and congregation. The virtual hybrid PLC begins with a 3-day onsite kick off and includes two other in- person meetings along with virtual meetings and coaching in between.

Tier 2 Details

The congregation will submit self-study materials in preparation for the consultation process. A designated consultant will come on site for a period of 4 days to conduct interviews with staff, some lay leaders, and a focus group. At the end of the weekend, the consultant will give a report to the congregation. The Congregational Plan for Transformation will highlight the strengths of the church, as well as several prescriptions to bring about revitalization. The session ultimately determines if they will adopt the prescriptions after receiving input from their congregation. If the church decides to adopt the prescriptions, they will receive ongoing coaching and a congregational coach will be assigned. This coach works with the pastor, and if needed, other lay leadership, through 18 coaching sessions for a period of 12 months.