Practical Tools for the Journey
A self-paced course for faith leaders navigating congregational change
You already know something is shifting.
Maybe your congregation is smaller than it was five years ago. Maybe the questions people are asking don't have easy answers anymore. Maybe you're carrying the weight of decisions that feel too big to make alone.
We provide practical tools that help you understand and navigate these ministry challenges.
What you'll explore
Practical Tools for the Journey moves through six sessions, looking at your congregation's situation from four directions.
You begin with the big picture, seeing where things actually stand. From there, you turn inward, examining the roles and relationships at the heart of your congregation's life. Then you look outward at the community your congregation is part of and the forces shaping it. Finally, you look ahead, exploring the full range of what faithful next steps might look like: sustaining, renewing, or ending with grace.
You work through the material at your own pace. And along the way, you have access to occasional one-on-one conversations with me as you work through the material.
I appreciated the videos to view in preparation for class. The spiritual practices videos from Martha were good reminders for me to engage in reflection in an intentional way. I liked having more than one voice-the newness of Peter and the familiarity of Mark. They partnered well together. Their combined experience brought a richness to the class content and conversations.
Rev. Marie Bonnie - Altamont Lutheran, Altamont, IL
Your Instructors
I am Rev. Peter Soli, an ELCA Lutheran pastor, conflict transformation consultant, and the founder of Dialog Works. For thirty years, I've ministered to congregations experiencing hard moments, helping them find their footing when the path forward isn't clear. My training in mediation and conflict transformation includes work at Eastern Mennonite University, the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, and Duke Divinity School.
You'll also hear from my colleague, the Rev. Dr. Mark Yackel-Juleen, whose voice and perspective are woven throughout the course. Mark serves at Wartburg Theological Seminary as Director for Small Town and Rural Ministry with the Center for Theology and Land. He spent seventeen years in small-town and rural congregations before co-founding Shalom Hill Farm, a rural ministry education and retreat center in southwestern Minnesota. His Doctor of Ministry research focused specifically on what helps pastors serving in small towns and rural settings find satisfaction and stay effective.
The details
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Format: Self-paced and async. Work through the material on your own schedule, in the time and space that fits your life.
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Office hours: Enrollment includes a scheduled conversation with me. If you need to continue the conversation, we'll find a way.
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Cost: $125
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Dialog Works practices graceconomics. You'll be invoiced for the full amount and asked to pay what you can afford.
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A note about CEUs: Continuing education units are available for the cohort version of this course, offered periodically throughout the year. If CEUs matter for your professional development, let me know, and I'll make sure you hear when the next cohort is scheduled.