How do we expand our understanding of church to include our homes?
How do we equip our homes to be mission outposts for Jesus?
The Vibrant Faith Ministries' (VFM) Congregational Training events help you answer those questions and much more. As a result of our training, you'll be rewarded by seeing members of your congregation begin to implement vibrant faith practices in their own lives and at church.
Our program equips congregations with a holistic approach to faith formation and leadership development based upon the core principle:
"Faith is formed by the power of the Holy Spirit through personal, trusted relationships – often in our own homes."
Our Congregational Training events provide you with:
- An overriding vision for ministry within your congregation and homes
- Specific strategies to take your ministry to the next level in evangelism and discipleship
- A one-year ministry plan
- A model of ministry to help shape the faith of the entire congregation.
Congregational Trainings can be done in a two, three, or four-day format depending upon the size of your congregation and staff.
Two-day training:
- A one-day seminar (usually held on a Saturday) leads the congregation into understanding effective faith formative practices and creates a "critical mass" of people who are ready to move the vision into action plans for themselves and the congregation.
- Sunday preaching and teaching around the theme of passing on vibrant faith reinforces the Saturday event and expands the informed "critical mass." Plus, a playful, cross-generational immersion happens during Sunday school. After the church service, the trainer(s) meet with church leadership to work on developing a ministry plan.
Three-day training:
- This program starts the day before the Saturday congregational event. It includes one full day of the VFM team working with the congregational staff and other key leaders to share and embed a vision of church as a partnership between home and congregation. A climate of trust, confidence and contextual listening sets the stage for the upcoming weekend training. Essential history is shared with the trainers to make recommendations more specific to the congregation.
Four-day training:
- This program works best for large congregations. Staff members and leaders establish a covenant that frames the future work they will do together. Leadership concepts that foster positive action are reviewed and spiritual gifts are explored to help further the ministry.
Within a few weeks of the training, a VFM executive report is sent to the congregation based upon issues addressed during the Sunday planning session. Additional plans are also made for ongoing coaching with Vibrant Faith Ministries’ to support the leaders in implementing the vision.
From Pastor Becky, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Hermosa, SD
Thanks for everything. People REALLY enjoyed the training events! It brought a lot of meaning to our Sunday milestone of the blessing of the backpacks! FYI -- We began worship by saying the mission statement out loud during the time of annoucements -- a simple way to bring focus.
Pastor Becky
Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Hermosa, SD
Hear how one family started doing family devotions after attending a VFM training!
"Vibrant Faith Congregational Training was extremely successful for our congregation. It helped us see things from a new perspective and gave fresh energy and enthusiasm to our leaders. We had an incredible turn-out for our event and everyone walked away feeling revitalized about the ministries of this congregation and their own faith journeys. It truly brought out people’s creativity and imaginations as they began to wonder what doing the Four Keys would look like for their various ministries and families. It was incredibly powerful (and a great deal of fun!) to observe so many generations sharing stories and praying for each other. I am so pleased with the possibilities for the future of this congregation and its people."
Heather Hansen
Director of Youth and Family Ministries
MacArthur Park Lutheran Church
San Antonio, TX