About Us

ELM

Purposes and Goals?

The main purpose of ELM is to help 25 congregations in our city thrive within their particular social contexts and move forward with clear goals and plans. The focus is on small congregations with bi-vocational pastors who would otherwise be unable to afford consultants, coaching, and leadership training. These are the specific goals of the program:

To provide each congregation with the experiences, opportunities and activities it needs to better understand itself, its mission, its community, and the changing context of ministry in the 21st century.
To strengthen each congregation as needed in these four key areas: hospitality, worship, systems, and technology.
To provide B-CU graduate students in ministry an opportunity to go through the learning process with the ELM program congregations while providing a fresh perspective to the group.

Desired Outcomes of the Program?

Many of the specific outcomes of each congregation’s learning journey will differ among the six congregations in the cohort. Congregations will be working on the four target areas—Hospitality, Worship, Systems, and Technology—contextually at their own pace. As a result of ELM, however, each congregation will accomplish the following measurable outcomes:

A customized 18-month timeline focused on a project chosen by the church.
Churches who have participated in ELM affirm experiences of great fellowship, strategic planning, and collaboration with other churches in Volusia county. They are better equipped to THRIVE in new programs, systems, and initiatives that impact their communities in positive ways.

Cohort Value

ELM cohort churches receive no cash payment, but each church receives over $19,500 in consulting services, technology, and other resources over an 18-month period.