Cohort Toolbox
Liz Alexander, Father Bryant, and I have been participating in a Cohort organized by Rev. Canon Amy Chambers Cortright. The purpose of this Cohort is for different parishes within the Diocese of Lexington to come together throughout the year to discuss the present day church in relation to today’s culture shift. Meetings occur via Zoom and begin with a Big Idea introduced as to what the session is to concentrate on. Participants break off into smaller groups to discuss, then return to the entire group for findings and provide feedback. As participants in this Cohort, it’s our responsibility to relay these ideas to our local congregation to generate thought and keep everyone throughout the Diocese abreast of current happenings.
Cohort meeting #1
The CHURCH is in a period of profound CHANGE. Focus needs to be placed on
figuring out who we are and why we are doing what we are doing. Emphasis
regarding what we represent externally needs to be addressed. We need to move from
being a program-driven church to a discipleship-driven church. Our societal culture
has shifted into a more divergent one and consequently, the church that we’ve
known and loved doesn’t meet the needs and may prove to be irrelevant to most of
the people we’ve been trying to reach. We are being asked to shift our work toward
“external” matters rather than just the “internal” workings of our building. We
should strive to “Be the Church” wherever we may find ourselves every day of the
week … The goal is for anyone we come in contact with to see Christ through us.
Cohort meeting #2
Mission was the message of this meeting. We are God’s image bearers, and everyone
has been given gifts. Recognizing that those we are trying to serve also bring gifts
and knowledge to the table is essential. We need to accept that sometimes we aren’t
necessarily the experts in all areas of charity and assistance. Respecting and
accepting input is crucial in being able to empathize in challenging situations.
Developing a relationship is necessary and much more likely to happen when all
perspectives are honored and included. Mission involves whatever and whenever we
see a need in our community, congregation, and family. It doesn’t have to be a planned
event … When the need arises, whether it’s big or small, we are called to show up
however we can. In mission, we more fully become who we have been created to
be.
Cohort #3
The health and vitality of the congregation, along with emphasizing current realities,
was the topic for the 3 rd session. We were asked to focus on the willingness of our
congregation to take risks, actively engage in our community, welcome and
incorporate all newcomers, and find a shared purpose other than focusing on our
internal differences. We were presented with the attributes of healthy churches,
with the overlying theme being “Find out what God wants.’ This involves discerning
the Spirit’s guidance rather than trying to please everyone. The goal is to be
energized by faith and to have an outward-looking focus – Striving for a “whole life”
rather than “church life” concerns. We should strive to operate as a community
rather than functioning as a club or religious organization. We need to ensure that
we make room for all. Find a few things that we can do well and bring them to
fruition.
Blessings,
Kim Harding
