Religion Press Release Services

Indianapolis Center for Congregations Sees Increasing Interest in Outreach and Mission

Indianapolis Center for Congregations
303 N. Alabama St., Suite 100
Indianapolis IN 46204

NEWS RELEASE: For Immediate Release
For More Information Contact: Brent Bill
bbill@centerforcongregations.org or 317-237-7799

Issues such as strategic planning and mission development, faith formation, outreach and leadership development are growing concerns among congregations.

That is the assessment of the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, a non-profit organization that has worked since 1997 to help Central Indiana congregations find and use the very best resources to help them meet practical challenges.

While congregations continue to focus on familiar issues such as building, expansion, renovation, stewardship and technology, the staff of the Center for Congregations has discovered that more and more congregations are taking a “balcony view” of not only congregational life but the immediate world around them.

“The relevance of a congregation’s mission in relationship to its neighbor is becoming an important conversation in congregations,” said Susan Weber, the Center’s director of evaluation and congregational learning.

Working with 184 congregations last year, Center staff learned that:
* Congregations are becoming increasingly consumer-savvy, looking for the best value for their dollar when purchasing resources.
* Outreach and discipleship continue to grow as priorities, while the “mission field” is closer to home these days – in many cases right in the backyard of the congregation.
* Congregations – particularly in urban settings -- are becoming more interested in connecting with other congregations about common issues in challenges.
* Strong communication efforts are becoming more important, particularly during complex building projects or strategic planning processes.
* More than a few congregations have changed their names to better reflect their personality and goals, rather than focusing on locations.

The Indianapolis Center for Congregations is affiliated with the Alban Institute and funded by Lilly Endowment, Inc. The Center works closely with a congregation to understand its need and then conducts extensive nationwide research for resources that fit the congregation’s faith tradition, size and budget.

In 2005, the Center recommended more than 500 resources to 184 congregations, spanning a broad range of issues including technology, facilities, education, planning, community outreach, worship, youth ministry, leadership development, children’s ministry, and leadership development.

Last year the Indianapolis Center for Congregations staff worked with nearly 140 congregations on building issues such as expansion, renovation, repair and construction. Center staff worked with about 130 congregations last year on issues of technology assistance, while another 60 congregations sought consultations on fiscal issues.

*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777