Joint Initiatives by ECF and Forma
On June 26, 2018 the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) announced the beginning of a formal partnership with Forma | The Network for Christian Formation. ECF works with churches, dioceses and other institutions to help build and sustain transformational faith communities by providing leadership, financial and strategic solutions. With ECF’s renewed focus on discipleship, Forma is a natural partner for ECF’s continued support of lay and ordained leaders within the Episcopal Church. ECF looks forward to broaden its scope in the critical area of Christian formation, together with Forma.
Here are a few ways that the ECF-Forma partnership may benefit you in the coming year:
Something that has been an increasing worry for the professional leaders of our Church is networking and continuing education. The cost of travelling, conference fees, and the sheer number of conferences in the Episcopal Church are overwhelming. Forma and ECF are working together to create a platform where one only need to travel once to be with their peers, receive excellent continuing education, and refresh their excitement for ministry. This coming January, ECF will be present at the Forma Annual Conference from January 23-25, 2019 in Indianapolis, IN. In 2020 and beyond, the Forma Annual Conference will become a joint offering from ECF and Forma and other conference partners. Providing a shared space for all lay and clergy professionals to gather, share best practices, and hear from the leading experts in their fields creates value for churches that need to educate their ministers without paying thousands of dollars for hotels, flights, and conference fees.
To find out more information about Forma and ECF’s upcoming conference, click here.
Another way ECF and Forma are coming together to create value for Episcopal faith communities is through discipleship and formation consulting. ECF already offers some of the best fundraising, capital campaign, and strategic solutions consultants and services in the Church. Now, ECF will work with churches to tackle a very critical issue: How do we form disciples in the 21st century? What is the point in visioning or raising capital unless we can be truly living into our call as followers of Jesus Christ?
ECF has partnered with Forma to bring a network of experts from across the Episcopal Church and beyond into the ECF network of parishes and leaders. This partnership is enabling ECF to focus on building discipleship capacity as well as leadership and fundraising capacity. We are excited about the ways this partnership will make a positive and lasting impact.
We are working on several other collaborative programs, so stay tuned to see how you and your ministry will be well supported by the partnership between ECF and Forma! If you have any questions please be in touch with Melissa Rau and Bill Campbell.