reNEW

The Rev. Cameron Trimble

The Rev. Michael Piazza

Center for Progressive Renewal Offers Seminary Course

CTS first to feature reNEW: Skills for Leading New and Renewing Progressive Churches

The Center for Progressive Renewal (CPR), a non-profit organization in cooperation with the United Church of Christ, will present its first seminary course May 16-20 at Chicago Theological Seminary. “reNEW: Skills for Leading New and Renewing Progressive Churches” will be taught by Rev. Cameron Trimble and Rev. Michael Piazza, co-executive directors of CPR.

Available for credit, continuing education units, and to audit, “reNEW” will teach practical skills for starting a new progressive church and leading the renewal of a church that is stagnant or in decline. It has been designed around the premise that churches rarely are resurrected, but can be born again; hence, the skills needed in both situations are similar: creating compelling vision, an effective communication strategy, data management, community development, external mission and transformational worship. The course will combine a one-week in-person intensive on the seminary campus with four weeks of online learning. To register, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your name, address, phone number (including cell), date of birth and social security number.

The Center for Progressive Renewal was created in 2009 by the Local Church Ministries board of the United Church of Christ; Hope for Peace & Justice, a Dallas, Texas-based nonprofit; and the Southeastern Conference of the United Church of Christ. Its mission is to renew Progressive Christianity by training new entrepreneurial leaders, supporting the birth of new liberal/progressive congregations, and by renewing and strengthening existing progressive churches.