"Let's Get Started" Small Group Learning Cohort:
Establishing or Refreshing Your Congregational Care Ministry Wednesdays Mar 19, Mar 26, Apr 2, 2025
90-minute sessions begin at 10 am Eastern, 9 am Central, 8 am Mountain
This learning cohort will comprise 6-12 Congregational Care Directors guided by a trained TCC facilitator. A Congregational Care Director organizes their congregation’s care ministry and focuses their efforts on creating a culture of care within their congregation and surrounding community. A Congregational Care Director may be a clergyperson, a church staff member, or a dedicated lay volunteer who has completed the Basic CCM training or an equivalent course.
Participants will work through the assigned online training and planning at their own pace before each coaching session. The group will come together with their TCC facilitator on Wednesday mornings for three weeks in 90-minute Zoom coaching sessions to discuss the weekly topics and plan their implementation.
Weekly Class Topics
Week 1
- Why care ministry is essential.
- Building congregational buy-in to care ministry
- Identifying current care ministries and community partners/resources.
- Evaluating the actual care needs of the congregation and community.
Week 2
- Identifying and recruiting laity who embody Jesus’ model of servant leadership, prayer, mutual love, care, and concern to become Congregational Care Ministers.
- Equipping Congregational Care Ministers
- Basic CCM Training
- Ongoing Training and Support for CCMs
Week 3
- Establishing a Care Administrative Team
- Determining the Roles and Responsibilities of each CCM based on their gifting, preferences, and the church/community needs.
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Establishing a Documentation System for care needs with an emphasis on confidentiality, efficiency, and compassion.
Access to the online Course materials is available through 4/30/25.
Meet Your Cohort Facilitator
Rev. Lisa Degrenia received a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and was later ordained a United Methodist Elder in the Florida Conference. She currently serves as the senior pastor of Coronado Community United Methodist Church in New Smyrna Beach, Florida where they have a thriving nine-year-old CCM ministry. Lisa joined The Caring Congregation as a national team member in 2023 and is a regular contributor to their newsletter and blog. You can find more of her prayer and devotional writing at www.revlisad.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I can't make it to one of the cohort sessions?
All three sessions will be recorded and your facilitator can provide you with the link to watch the missed session. However, we strongly encourage you to be present for every session because this is your opportunity to ask questions concerning your specific ministry setting.
How do I join the weekly coaching sessions?
Upon purchasing the cohort training, you'll receive instructions on how to access the course in our Academy as well as the weekly group sessions on Zoom.
What books are needed for this course?
We strongly recommend that you have the Caring Congregation Ministry Implementation Guide and The Caring Congregation Care Minister’s Manual. You should have received both books when you participated in the Basic CCM training course. Additional copies are available on our Resource page of our website.
What is the cost of this course?
Your $180 tuition includes self-paced online learning plus 4 ½ hours of live facilitator-led group discussion, coaching, and follow-up action planning.
Can I purchase additional coaching with my facilitator?
While Pastor Lisa is unavailable for additional one-on-one coaching, other TCC trainers are available at $150 per hour. You can book sessions with them at https://the-caring-congregation-training.teachable.com/