Thriving Practices

Churches in Learning Communities

A Thriving Practices cohort connects churches to explore a specific aspect of ministry together. It’s like a small group, but for churches!

These learning clusters have been found to be one of the most effective and encouraging ways to develop a particular area of church ministry. And they are a great followup to the Thriving Essentials course, allowing your congregation to take a next step alongside other churches who sense a similar calling. There’s no need to go it alone—let’s learn with, and from, each other.

Choose from the topics below and we'll form a cohort of churches interested in that same aspect of ministry. Some cohorts will meet in person, others via Zoom. Although the meeting formats and topics vary, every Thriving Practices cohort benefits your church with:

Monthly Gatherings

With a handful of churches to learn from each other.

Trained Facilitator

To guide the conversation and maximize learning.

Your Own Coach

Providing one-on-one support to your church.

If your church feels called to grow in ministry and mission, this grant-funded initiative is a tremendous opportunity to breathe new life and new resources into that calling. Your church will gain access to expertise and support along the way, plus experience the joy of linking arms with other churches who are pursuing that same calling.

Let's Connect!

New cohorts start in 2026. See the list below, and submit the form to register your church's interest in one or more cohorts. Then we'll connect to provide more details and explore whether it's a good fit for for your congregation.

Submit Inquiry

Upcoming Cohorts: Fall 2026

Intercultural Congregations Cohort (US)

The non-Caucasian membership of the CRC is growing rapidly, and one result of this growth is that congregations that were originally founded by Dutch immigrants are becoming multicultural. This delightful development of becoming a "multitude from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Rev. 7:9) is accompanied by growing pains involving language barriers, cultural assumptions, and more. This cohort has gathered congregations from across the United States that are becoming increasingly multicultural to be more informed concerning multicultural wisdom, share learnings from various experiments, and develop fresh practices that encourage multicultural hospitality and community. Want more info? Submit the inquiry form.

Praying Churches Cohort

Led by the CRCNA’s Prayer Shepherd Jon Hoekema, this cohort is an opportunity to create a culture of prayer in your congregation. You’ll have an opportunity to revitalize your own prayer connection and relationship with God while teaching and modeling how to build that into others. We’ll focus on learning to lead your church in growing more deeply in dependence upon God through prayer, seeking God’s face in prayer, and trusting and waiting for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully. By engaging with other congregations, we trust that our churches will grow healthy, spiritual, passionate followers of Jesus who are growing deeper in prayer and reliance on God.

Interested in More Topics?

We’re hearing that churches are interested in cohorts about:

Intercultural Ministry
Becoming a More Intergenerational Church
Becoming a Mother Church for a Church Plant
Creating a Discipleship Pathway
Everyday Justice
Faith Storytelling
Faith Practices
Becoming a Praying Church

Interested in any of these topics, or others? Submit your interest using the inquiry form.

Cohorts in Progress

These cohorts have already begun. But you can still submit the inquiry form to be alerted when the next group forms.

The ABCD and Collective Impact Cohort (Canada)

Facilitated by NewGround / Diaconal Ministries

The Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and Collective Impact Cohort equips community ministries to faithfully engage their neighbourhoods by recognizing and nurturing the gifts God has already placed within them. Moving away from deficit-based approaches, the cohort invites participants into a relational, strengths-based practice that prioritizes listening, presence, and mutuality. Through shared learning, ministries develop the capacity to build trust, cultivate local leadership, and co-create initiatives alongside community members. Integrating Collective Impact principles, the cohort also supports ministries in aligning with partners around a shared vision, common goals, and coordinated action for the flourishing of their communities. The goal is to foster sustainable, Spirit-led change that reflects God’s love, deepens belonging, and strengthens collaborative witness in the places ministries are called to serve.

This cohort is already in progress. Want to be alerted when the next one forms? Submit the inquiry form.

Intercultural Congregations Cohort (Canada)

The non-Caucasian membership of the CRC is growing rapidly, and one result of this growth is that congregations that were originally founded by Dutch immigrants are becoming multicultural. This delightful development of becoming a "multitude from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Rev. 7:9) is accompanied by growing pains involving language barriers, cultural assumptions, and more. This cohort has gathered congregations from across Canada that are becoming increasingly multicultural to become more informed concerning multicultural wisdom, share learnings from various experiments, and develop fresh practices that encourage multicultural hospitality and community.

This cohort is already in progress. Want to be alerted when the next one forms? Submit the inquiry form.

Hearts Exchanged Cohort

Facilitated by Indigenous Ministry

Hearts Exchanged is a learning and action journey designed to equip Reformed Christians to engage with Indigenous people as neighbours and fellow image bearers. Participants are transformed in their minds and hearts as they are invited into honest dialogue about the harms of colonialism, and encounter ‘hearts broken’ stories and experiences. In this cohort we will explore and learn from each other how Hearts Exchanged can be used in a congregational setting, resulting in Canadian CRC churches that are communities of reconciliation and belonging. LEARN MORE

This cohort is already in progress. Want to be alerted when the next one forms? Submit the inquiry form.