Overview

Through this office, Disciples Home Missions (DHM) partners with Lexington Theological Seminary (LTS) on its Thriving Congregations Initiative.  The LTS Thriving Congregations Initiative is dedicated to helping congregations gain clarity in their mission, leadership, and effectiveness.  Through workshops, gatherings, and training, this Initiative supports congregations in building stronger communities of faith.

The partnership between LTS and DHM is expanding the 2019 Thriving Congregations Lilly Endowment grant research to:

• Deepen connections to congregations within the Christian Church (Disciples of Chris) and congregations that align with LTS’s mission.
• Share valuable resources with more Congregations and Church leaders.
• Strengthen clergy preparation for effective congregational ministry.

Additionally, the Director of Congregational Vitality and Innovation serves as Merger Staff, providing leadership and coordination in support of programs and events for Black Church Ministries.

Reach out to the Director of Congregational Vitality and Innovation, Rev. Derrick Perkins, Sr. , by scrolling down to the Contact Card at the bottom of any of these pages. 

Resources

Community Partnerships: Expanding Congregational Relevancy & Impact

Topic: Action Tool, BIble Study, Congregational Transformation, Continuing Education, Conversation Guide, Justice, Lay Leadership, Meditations, Spiritual Disciplines, Study Guides, Vacation Bible School · Article, Curriculum, Devotional, Download, Handout · Apr 2026

By: Rev. Derrick L. Perkins, Sr.

Conversation Café – Research Strategies to Learn About Your Immediate Community

Topic: Advocacy, BIble Study, Congregational Transformation, Continuing Education, Lay Leadership, Renewal, Study Guides, Training · Download, Webinar, Workshop · Jan 2026

By: Rev. Derrick L. Perkins, Sr.

Community Engagement: Research Methods and Strategies for Local Congregations

Topic: Advocacy, BIble Study, Congregational Transformation, Continuing Education, Conversation Guide, Environment, Intergenerations, Justice, Lay Leadership, Meditations, Pastoral Care, Renewal, Study Guides, Support Groups, Training · Article, Download, Handout · Dec 2025

By: Rev. Derrick Perkins, Sr.

Conversation Café – Mission, Vision & Values: Sharing Your Congregational Identity through Your Guiding Statements.

Topic: Advocacy, BIble Study, Congregational Transformation, Continuing Education, Conversation Guide, Lay Leadership, Meditations, Renewal, Study Guides, Training · Webinar, Workshop · Oct 2025

By: Rev. Derrick L. Perkins, Sr.

Congregational Vitality and Innovation Flyer

Topic: Congregational Transformation · Handout · Oct 2025

By: Congregational Vitality and Innovation

Mission, Vision and Value: Sharing Your Congregational Identity Through Your Guiding Statements

Topic: BIble Study, Congregational Transformation, Conversation Guide, Study Guides · Download, Planning Guide · Oct 2025

By: Congregational Vitality & Innovation, By Rev. Derrick L. Perkins, Sr.

2026 Black Ministers Retreat

Topic: Retreat · · Jul 2025

Juneteenth 2025 Resource: Celebrating African-American Freedom

Topic: Congregational Transformation · Download, Worship Resource · Jun 2025

By: Rev. Derrick L. Perkins, Sr.

The Formative Power of Your Congregation: Faith & Human Development

Topic: Congregational Transformation · Download · Jun 2025

Black Leadership Project Grant Applications

Topic: Congregational Transformation, Continuing Education, Grant · Forms · May 2025

Experience Congregational Vitality and Innovation

Please find videos and multimedia productions from Congregational Vitality and Innovation.

Engage with Congregational Vitality and Innovation

Please find a full list of upcoming and past events from Congregational Vitality and Innovation.

Upcoming Events

Congregational Vitality Workshop at the 2026 Biennial Session of the National Convocation

Date: June 12, 2026 1:30 pm – June 12, 2026 3:00 pm (Central)

Location: Hyatt Regency DFW, 2334 N International Pkwy, DFW Airport, TX 75261

Program: Congregational Vitality and Innovation

Conversation Café – Thriving Faith Communities During Uncertain Times

Date: June 16, 2026 11:30 am – June 16, 2026 12:45 am (Central)

Location: Online Via Zoom

Program: Congregational Vitality and Innovation

Past Events

Conversation Café – Community Partnerships: Expanding Congregational Capacity & Relevancy

Date: April 21, 2026 11:30 am – April 21, 2026 12:45 pm (Central)

Location: Online Via Zoom

Program: Black Church Ministries, Congregational Vitality and Innovation

Black Ministers Retreat – Virginia Beach, VA March 10-12, 2026

Date: March 10, 2026 4:00 pm – March 12, 2026 11:00 am (Eastern)

Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Retreat Hotel: Springhill Suites Ocean Front, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Program: Black Church Ministries, Christian Education & Faith Formation, Congregational Vitality and Innovation

Conversation Café For Congregations

Date: December 16, 2025 11:30 am – December 16, 2025 12:00 pm (Central)

Location: Online Via Zoom

Program: Congregational Vitality and Innovation

Conversation Café For Congregations

Date: October 21, 2025 11:30 am – October 21, 2025 12:30 pm (Central)

Location: Online Via Zoom

Program: Congregational Vitality and Innovation

Black Ministers Retreat 2025

Date: March 11, 2025 12:00 am – March 13, 2025 12:00 am (Eastern)

Location: Charleston, SC

Organizer: Disciples Home Missions

Program: Christian Education & Faith Formation, Congregational Vitality and Innovation