Crossroads Massachusetts is designed to assess the strengths and challenges of a congregation as it seeks to make a faithful decision about the future of its ministry in the community.
Hear Sanctuary UCC's story below:
New Beginnings is a program of our denominational partner, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The program has a history of helping local churches answer the question, “What is God calling our congregation to do and be in this time and place?” Read more about New Beginnings here!
From New Beginnings you will:
After making a bold decision about the future of your congregation, Crossroads will walk with you as you move into your preferred future. The Conference will assist in the following ways:
Working Groups
Pastors and lay leaders engaged in the Crossroads process of discernment and decision making will be invited to meet with each other for mutual support, creative engagement, and spiritual inspiration.
Coaches
After a church has decided its direction, coaches will be available for ongoing assistance as the congregation takes steps along the path it has chosen. There is a fee for these services.
Conference Staff and Financial Support
Your Conference is committed to Crossroads and will put staff and financial resources to work to make it a success. Regional ministers will serve as “case managers” for participating congregations. Other staff will provide coaching and advice along the way
Crossroads began in the Connecticut Conference, and we give thanks for all the work they have done and their willingness to assist us along the way.
Read how West Parish Church in Andover redefined itself in 2012.
If your congregation can say “yes” to at least three of these five qualifications, it may be a good candidate for Crossroads:
The fee for the first step, New Beginnings, is $2,800. This includes consultant travel, time and overhead for the on-site assessment and phone follow-up, 10 printed reports, and the training expenses of the cluster event (led by two consultants and your regional minister). Manuals for the small-group leaders that will be trained at the cluster event are also included. The cost of the second step, Implementation, will vary depending on the church’s bold decision.
Limited scholarships are available.