About
In January of 2020 DPC was invited to participate in Project Thrive: an urban ministry project developed by the Curb Center for Faith Leadership at Belmont University, which is funded by The Lilly Foundation. We accepted that invitation and embarked on a 5 year commitment with Project Thrive for the purpose of discovering our needs, our vision, and our identity so that together we can help determine what “thriving” might look like for our church and discover steps to make that happen.
The goal of the partnership is to help churches define what it means to be a thriving congregation. Over the next 5 years the Belmont Leadership team will engage with us in appreciative inquiry, congregational assessments, leadership development opportunities, retreats, and church consulting. Through this process, The Downtown Presbyterian Church will develop thriving characteristics for our life and ministry.
What is Thriving?
Thriving characteristics include hopefulness about the future, a willingness to take risks, a collaborative approach to ministry, faithful engagement with the world through Christian practices and sacraments, leadership that is visionary, clarity around our identity, and a fervent desire to impact our ministry context.
Next Steps:
The ultimate goal for Project Thrive is to create the opportunity for churches to transition to a future marked by a thriving church culture. Although individual churches may or may not embrace all of the factors gleaned from the work of the study team, it is anticipated that each church will develop a unique sense of visionary characteristics which will allow them to face the future with both hope and joyful expectation.
If you would like to learn more about Project Thrive, or are interested in getting involved with this committee, please email info@dpchurch.com.
2021
In 2021 a series of three congregational meetings were held. In the 1st meeting we designated time to reflect on the history of DPC and identify our core identity and core positives. During the 2nd meeting we examined where DPC, as a Christian community, stands today and how we serve and fit into our broader community. In our 3rd gathering, we worked collaboratively to dream big about our ideal future of Downtown Presbyterian Church, what we feel God wants for us, and who God intends us to be.
Following this series of meetings the leadership team attended a series of Project Thrive writing meetings. Using their feedback and insights from the congregation as a guide, the following “God-sized dreams”were created:
Community Engagement:
Image description: Text of God-sized dream with leafy border. Text says: Downtown Presbyterian Church delights in the inherent dignity of all beings! We see the needs of our neighbors, the wider world, and the church as bound up together. We provide a safe harbor, meeting you wherever you are in your journey. DPC rises to the call for the deep solidarity and social justice that pervades our faith and build community with extravagant welcome.
Faith Formation:
Image description: Text of God-sized dream with leafy border. Text says: We ground ourselves in God’s love through interwoven worship, art, and study. DPC reflects on resurrection as the endless possibility to transform our lives. We follow Christ through intimate connection, contemplation, and action.
2020
In the fall of 2020, a Project Thrive committee was formed who have committed to serving for 12-18 months. We thank the leadership team members for their time & contributions to Project Thrive as we know this process will benefit the entire church community.
Bill Owen, a congregational coach, has been working with our leadership team. Bill was a pastor for 40 years and for the past 7 years has coached and consulted for the Center for Healthy Churches. He has a great love for the local church.
