This spring, St. Stephen’s was invited to participate in the first cohort of a new initiative: Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships.
This initiative is a major collaboration between the Diocese of Indianapolis and our neighbors in the Diocese of Northern Indiana. Its purpose is to help prepare and equip every congregation to better understand the potential of our buildings.
When the bishop first described the genesis of the CBCP initiative, I was drawn to a phrase she used about it: she wanted us to stop seeing our buildings as an albatross holding us back.
I’m familiar with the idea in my own life: of not wanting another set of inherited china or a grandfather clock that we’d have to pay a small fortune to move. I also recognize this for the church. When our sense of obligation shifts from loving caretakers to burdened inheritors.
Our team, having now completed our third and final training, has a lot of work ahead of us. Next, I’ll complete a one-on-one interview with program leaders and in December they will make a site visit to go over our profile with us and guide us in ways to help others see the potential of our space. Not in some perfect, idyllic glory. But something far more beautiful. A space made sacred by many generations. Each of whom have loved it and made it their own.
Drew+