The Middle Project

The Middle Project is committed to supporting and resourcing congregations as they strive for excellence in ministry. To meet the challenges of changing demographics, declining interest in religious institutions and shifting values between generations, faith communities are learning new competencies and strategies to achieve vitality. The Middle Pr... oject offers a variety of services to strengthen congregations who desire to be more inclusive, understand how to initiate and manage change and plan strategically for their preferred future. The Middle Project provides the following consulting services to congregations and religious institutions: Strategic Planning - Assisting congregational leaders in the process of ministry assessment to clarify their identity, core values, vision and preferred future. Moving from data gathering to specific measurable goals for a 3-5 year plan of ministry the process helps congregations manage the dynamics of needed change. Vital Congregations - Resourcing congregations to become more multicultural, more multiracial, LGBTI inclusive, and effective in reaching young adults. Creating innovative worship that is a container for diversity. Conflict Intervention - Helping congregations discover the systemic contributing factors and relational dynamics that generate unhealthy conflict in order to map the path to healing and reconciliation and create behavior covenants in the congregation. Clergy Leadership Transitions - Resourcing congregations in managing healthy, constructive clergy transitions. Creating thoughtful "goodbyes" and helpful "welcomes"; achieving closure and negotiating expectations. Constructive Evaluation - Assisting congregations in shaping covenants for shared ministry between staff and the faith community they serve and lead. This process will explore various methods and provide helpful tools to assess ministry and insure mutual accountability. Leadership Development - Expanding leadership capacities through training for staff and Boards on issues of congregational ...Read More