Timeline
Below is a general timeline of activities for Cohort 3 in the Resilient Church initiative. All gatherings and consultations will take place via Zoom with the exception of yearly in-person retreats held near Spokane. Specific dates and details will be provided in the coming months.
Sept. 1, 2023
Application opens
Nov. 22, 2023
Applications due
Jan. 2024
Decisions released.
Prepare to host your Resilient student fellow from May/June to August 2024. Coordinate homestay, paperwork, spiritual mentorship and other logistics consistent with Whitworth's Summer Ministry Fellowship Program requirements. OCE will facilitate introductory conversations with your student fellow and your church's designated site supervisor (must be a member of your Resilient team) to aid you in preparing for the summer.
Summer 2024
Discovery Phase begins!
May 6-9: Join other cohort churches for an in-person kick-off retreat near Spokane where OCE staff will introduce cohort churches to the Discovery Phase. A detailed schedule for the remainder of the discovery phase will be distributed. Activities include 1-2 activities per month, including:
- Think Tanks: Zoom gatherings with all cohort church representatives to discuss topics related to resiliency with the guidance of a consultant panel.
- Individual Consultations: Zoom meetings with your church representatives and a consultant to explore resiliency specific to your context.
- Fellowship Halls: Open monthly Zoom gatherings for all cohort church representatives for support, prayer, and discussion related to project themes.
- Education Hour: Zoom training workshops with all cohort church representatives led by a consultant.
- Assignments related to gatherings and consultations (i.e. sharing a report with your leadership team, completing an assessment, etc.).
May/June-August: Resilient fellows serve in churches for 10-12 weeks and participate in check-ins with OCE as assigned. Discover activities continue.
Fall 2024
September/October: Complete fellowship evaluation and meet with OCE team to debrief Resilient fellow's experience.
Winter 2024
November-December: Individual consultations regarding the report on Discover the Past with OCE.
February/March: Discern the Present begins at an in-person retreat!
All cohort delegates attend the second phase kick-off retreat. Whitworth social scientist and city planner offers specialized Discernment trainings. A detailed schedule including assignments, webinars and virtual trainings, individual consultations, etc. will be distributed.
Spring-Summer 2025
March-August: Individual consultations with OCE to discuss hopes for Discern phase. A Discern report is compiled for each church. Discern activities continue.
Fall 2025
Design phase begins at an in-person retreat in August or October. Gatherings will include analyzing Discern reports in order to begin the Design phase. A detailed schedule including assignments, webinars and virtual trainings, individual consultations, etc. will be distributed.
July-August: Churches undergo discernment in consultation with OCE's city planner and business consultant in order to create a Design plan and Design grant fund application.
All church cohort delegates meet to discuss possible Design plans, including opportunities for collaboration.
Churches create final Design plan in consultation with OCE's business consultant.
Winter 2025-Spring 2026
Design applications reviewed and funds awarded. Some Design plans may begin implementation.
End of Resilient Church celebration! Optional in-person retreat, location TBD.