The Empower and Equip Initiative emerges from the Lilly Endowment Inc. Ministry to Rural Areas and Small Towns Initiative at Pepperdine University to serve rural and small town churches within the Churches of Christ in America.
Join the Cohort
To empower and equip congregations to discern a way forward in the kingdom of God in their contexts, we are excited to launch regional cohorts of congregations who will embark on a one-year communal learning and equipping journey in biblical interpretation, taught by Dr. Keith Huey.
The shape of congregational ministry in Churches of Christ is evolving. Many church leaders are tired, concerned about long-term congregational vitality, and convinced that the future of most congregations will include a significant reliance on volunteers to teach, preach, and lead in other practices of ministry. While this shift may feel discouraging to some, E&E believes this is an opportunity for Christian leaders to reimagine what it means for communities of faith to partner in the work and mission of the living God and join that work anew.
What does joining look like?
1. Partner congregations would send 2-4 cohort members (aspiring leaders, deacons, elders, ministers, or other members)
3. Cohort members each receive a $599 stipend (pre-tax) at the end of the year, pending participation in the intensives and institutional surveys throughout the year
2. Cohort members attend six weekend intensives, Friday night & all day Saturday, hosted at a congregation in their region
4. Connect to other siblings in Christ from churches in your region
Cohorts are led by
Dr. Keith Huey
B.A., Lubbock Christian University
M.Div., Harding School of Theology
Ph.D., Marquette University
