By: Leslie MacKeller, St. Francis In-The-Fields Parishioner
Why would anyone agree to leave home for six days in the middle of summer to study and work hard? You would have to be crazy, right? I’m here to share why I (along with a team from St. Francis In-The-Fields, Zionsville) agreed to do just that, and why we would encourage you to do the same.
Earlier this year, we learned that the diocese was once again offering a program from the College for Congregational Development (CCD). We had previously heard from clergy and lay leaders what a wonderful program it was and how transformational it could be. However, when I asked people to give me more details, all they could say was that you learned about some models, frameworks and tools that were helpful for parishes, and it was great. It was not much to go on.
Our congregation was winding up a successful building and grounds renovation and it was clear that a good next step would be to consider what God was calling us to do as a parish. So, we gathered a small, but mighty team from St. Francis to attend CCD in Waycross in mid-July.
We all arrived excited, but somewhat anxious to know what we would be doing. By the end of the first evening, we could tell it would be very engaging and surprisingly fun! Over the next five days, we did indeed learn about various organization development models and frameworks that can help our congregation thrive and operate more effectively. We also learned about our own and other people’s behavioral preferences and conflict management styles. Perhaps most importantly, we got to know each other and fellow Episcopalians across the diocese at a much deeper level. We now look forward to taking what we have learned back to our congregation and becoming the parish we are meant to be.
