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 Interest Form

Upcoming Cohorts: 2026 season

Spots are limited. Please email the listed cohort contact as soon as possible.

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? Email us ([email protected]) and we'll be in touch.

Stories from Cohorts

Nelson Avenue Community Church building

B.C. Churches Work Together for Accessibility and Belonging

Read about three CRCs in British Columbia that had a one-year learning cohort focused on accessibility and belonging in their congregations.
Welcome wall in bright colors

Churches ‘Courageously Loving’ and Developing Hospitality

CRCs are exploring how to lovingly live within the denomination's convictions on human sexuality with help from a Thrive cohort.

Suggest a Cohort

We're eager to hear your ideas for future cohorts! If you'd like to connect with other churches to explore a particular topic (e.g. intercultural congregations, disability and accessibility, mission and vision, etc.), please let us know. As this project moves forward we'll be gathering your suggestions and connecting like-minded churches to form new cohorts. Please suggest a cohort topic by emailing us at: [email protected]. 

Cohorts in Progress

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

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.  

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. 

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

Want more info? Email Thrive ([email protected]) about this church cohort and we'll be in touch.