Ready, Set, Grow are also biblical words with an engaging meaning and vision for us as God's people. Be sure to use the Ready, Set, Grow Bible Study to help you and your congregation reflect on congregational vitality

Congregational vitality is a gift of Jesus' abundant life from God.   Receiving and responding to  the gift of vitality calls on us as God's people to become engage in discerning, studying, acting upon Christ's call to life and mission.

New Ready, Set, Grow Plan: 5 KEY STEPS!

5 key steps is a new on-line plan designed to engage your congregation's participation to become vital church.

New Ready, Set, Grow video!

Check out these testimonies from some of our vital United Church of Christ congregations—churches where God is, indeed, still speaking! Each file is a chapter of the CVI video mailed to all congregations in December.

Where do you see vitality?
Vital churches discern God's mission.
Vital churches know their community and today's culture.
Congregational Vitality purpose and resources.
Vital churches foster discipleship.

Ready, Set, Grow - Vitality Modules

In order to better facilitate your congregations study and use of these on line resources we have placed the resources in three Vitality Modules.  These Vitality Modules organize the resources in three areas of study critical to a congregation's vitality.

Module 1: Vital Churches Discern God's Mission
Module 2: Vital Churches Know Their Community and Today's Culture
Module 3: Vital Churches Foster Discipleship

Module 1: Vital Churches Discern God's Mission
Ready, Set, Grow Bible Study
Read and reflect on the Biblical texts that speak on being ready and set to grow.

Exploring Your Congregation's Vitality by Marjorie H. Royle
This resource suggests a process to take you through the vitality website, stopping to explore areas of particular interest to you, and skipping to others according to your needs.  It helps you cover most of the parts of the site. Groups from congregations can use it to engage the website in a process to study and increase their own congregation's vitality.

The Church Vital O Meter by Marjorie H. Royle
This brief survey takes the pulse of your congregation.  Like a pulse, it gives only a rough estimate of how strongly your "heart" is beating. 

Mission Discernment by Christy Trudo
The search for the meaning and purpose of life is not only a personal one, but happens in communities as well.  Each congregation has its own calling. This on line course is a resource for congregations to discern, articulate and grow in God's purpose.

Module 2: Vital Churches Know Their Community and Today's Culture

It's a Whole New World by Anthony Robinson
An on line Course on Church and Culture in a New Time
While the gospel is centered in Jesus Christ who is "the same yesterday and today and forever", cultural contexts do change.  Such changes call for faithful and creative response on the part of congregations and their leaders.  This thoughtful online course is a resource for understanding the changes in culture that impact the church, today.

On Line Demographics
Discover graphic displays with helpful demographic information on your community.

Know Your Neighborhood by David Schoen
A vital congregation knows and is involved in its community and neighborhood.
This on line guide suggests ways that a congregation can get to know its neighbors.

Module 3: Vital Churches Foster Discipleship

What Matters by Sidney D. Fowler
An Online Guide for Discovering the United Church of Christ
This resource is designed to assist in both forming and informing persons as Christians in the United Church of Christ. The spiritual inquirer will be invited to actively reflect on who we are through significant theological concepts, stories, heroes, and documents of the United Church of Christ.  This course has six sessions based on aspects of UCC faith that could be used by church school, new member, discipleship and confirmation classes.

The Bridging Group by Kathryn Matthews Huey and Susan Blain
Learn about Pilgrim UCC Bridging Group, an informal gathering, held separately from the new member class and open to anyone, who needed a "bridge" across that divide between the faith and practices of their childhood and the new church home to which God was calling them. 

Generation to Generation (Or Not)  by Anthony Robertson
A new article that makes seven suggestions for passing faith and leadership from one generation to another in your congregation.

How to Use the Ready, Set, Grow Online

The tools on this website are created for individuals and congregations interested in being ready and set to grow in vitality.

If you are an individual reviewing these resources we recommend that you share the tools with your congregation, pastor and congregational leadership, as well as your bible study, fellowship group, or church school class.  Invite others to engage with you in studying and responding to these courses and tools for vitality in your congregation.

If your congregation is reviewing its purpose, mission, program, and vitality you could start with Module 1: Vital Churches Discern God's Mission, along with the resources in Module 2: Vital Churches Know Their Community and Today's Culture.  If your congregation is seeking to grow in its outreach and ministry with today's world and your neighboring community you can use the resources in Module 2: Vital Churches Know Their Community and Today's Culture.

If your congregation is looking for ways to nurture faith and identity in new disciples, new members, confirmands and existing members you can use and introduce the resources in Module 3: Vital Churches Foster Discipleship.

In other areas of the Congregational Vitality website you will find stories, forums, and  resources for vital ministries.  Please share stories and pictures of your congregation's vitality.

The Vital Signs section of the Congregational Vitality homepage has a holistic list of resources for the many different ministries of a vital congregation.

Remember to check with your association or conference office to find out what congregational vitality programs are offered in your area.  Also see the list of upcoming vitality events on this website.

Blessings for your preparation to grow in vitality.   Please be in touch with your vital questions, suggestions and good news.

David Schoen
Congregational Vitality Initiative Coordinator
Local Church Ministries
United Church of Christ
216-736-3827