Thrive, a Partner in Church Renewal [Synod 2026]
June 14, 2026 - Reminding that Jesus is at the center and every church has a place in God’s mission, Thrive’s Elaine May led Synod 2026 through the ministry’s plan to help churches learn and discern.
Synod 2026 Considers Church Planting and Renewal Plans
June 10, 2026 - This year at Synod 2026, delegates will consider two significant ministry plans: a church renewal plan from Thrive and a church planting strategy from Resonate.
Discovering the Heart of Thriving Essentials
April 29, 2026 - This blog series explores the theological foundations of the Thriving Essentials workshop, and its four core pillars of Mission, Discipleship, Discernment, and Leadership.
New $2 Million Initiative for Congregational Renewal
November 12, 2025 - Thrive is expanding its congregational renewal work that includes the Thriving Essentials course, thanks to generous sources.
B.C. Churches Work Together
April 18, 2025 - Read about three CRCs in British Columbia that had a one-year learning cohort focused on accessibility and belonging in their congregations.
Meet Elaine May, Your Congregational Renewal Consultant
March 17, 2025 - While pursuing a doctoral degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Lifelong Leader Development, Elaine created Thriving Essentials, a leadership development course for churches.
Helping Churches Clarify Their Identity
Jan 15, 2025 - Thriving Essentials, a leadership course produced by Thrive, has been helping congregations discern their identity and sense of mission.
Learning to Pivot: A Story of Church Renewal
Sep 13, 2023 - Thriving Essentials gave the church a framework for mission and discernment and opened their eyes to what God is up to
Learning Together for a More Accessible Future
Sept 6, 2023 - The Accessible Church Cohort is helping congregations learn to model hospitality and equity by learning from people with disabilities and then developing practices that anticipate and reduce barriers.
Thriving Practices Cohorts Begin
Aug 31, 2022 - Thriving Practices cohorts are a terrific opportunity to breathe new life and new resources into a church’s calling. It’s like a small group, but for churches.
Thriving Essentials Available for Churches
April 20, 2022 - A new course on effective church leadership, Thriving Essentials, is now available for congregational training events.
Thriving Essentials Open for Registration
Jan 5, 2022 - The new four-session course is for elders, deacons, church staff, and volunteer ministry leaders.
Input Needed from Ministry Leaders
Sept 15, 2021 - A new initiative is looking for ministry leaders in CRCs to help shape a pilot training program.
Thriving Essentials Moving Forward
Aug 4, 2021 - Initial pilot testing of a new church-life and leadership course shows promise; stage two pilot to begin.
Volunteers Needed to Test New Leadership Course
May 26, 2021 - The CRC’s Thrive Project is working on a leadership program for all church leaders and staff.
CRCNA Receives $1 Million Lilly Endowment Grant
Nov 9, 2020 - A five-year grant will fund a new program to help congregations thrive.