We rejoice in the thriving experiences reported to us by churches as they concluded work in Phase 1 of the Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships program in 2023 and 2024. Here are some highlights.

The Community Stakeholders visit was a CBCP experience that opened church leaders’ eyes about possibilities that surface just by inviting neighbors, existing partners and community leaders over for a visit: 

When a congregation opens its building for others to use, it may seem like a small, kind gesture. However, the resulting impact can be very big for both the church and for the space partner. 

St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in Elkhart is experiencing this impact along with individuals served by Mosaic of Northern Indiana, a not-for-profit, faith-based agency that recognizes that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities desire and deserve greater independence and closer ties to the community.  

“It’s amazing that our small congregation has such an impact on our town. The more people who come to St. Paul’s, for whatever reason, the more opportunity we have to spread the Good News.” – St. Paul’s parishioner

My work with the Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships (CBCP) Thriving Congregations initiative has been transformative for me, both as priest and diocesan missioner. I will admit to being skeptical at the start of this project several years ago, and I confess to a complete change of heart regarding how important it has been to our congregations. Since I have one foot in diocesan leadership and the other in parish ministry, the practical and long-lasting effects of participation in CBCP mean so much to me and to my congregation.

The Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships program is now accepting applications for a new capital grant opportunity. Any Indiana Episcopal congregation may apply for one grant, which must be matched dollar-for-dollar.

There are two grant categories based on the size of the grant request.

a)    Category 1:  Grant requests ranging from $20,000 to $50,000, meaning the estimated cost of the capital project(s) will total at least $40,000. 

b)    Category 2: Grant requests ranging from $2,500 to $19,999, meaning the estimated cost of the capital project(s) will total at least $5,000.

Impacts of the Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships program were highlighted in its annual report to both Diocesan Conventions this fall. In the first phase of the Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships program (CBCP), Episcopal churches in Indiana gained understanding about the impact and value of their properties and ministries. 

What does it look like when a church building “user” becomes the church’s partner? At Holy Family Episcopal Church in Fishers, Indiana, it looks like a welcoming outdoor patio and seating area created collaboratively.