The Rev. Brad Purdom 
The Rev. Vincent Black 
Mary Ann Semple
Antoinette Taylor
Rita Rozell
About the Office for Congregations and Christian Formation
Office for Congregations and Christian Formation policy is set by the Congregations and Christian Formation Commission (CCFC), a Commission of the Diocesan Council. Members of the Commission come from all over the Diocese, and serve on a number of different task groups The current task groups are:
Lay Adult Christian Formation Task Group, Parish Children and Youth Task Group, Youth Event Task Group, Evangelism Task Group, Stewardship Task Group, Natural Church Development Task Group, College Work Task Group, Parish Leadership Development Task Group, and the Liturgy and Worship Task Group.
Lay Adult Christian Formation Task Group: providing resources, encouragement and training clergy and lay parish leaders in establishing effective formation processes and events on a congregational level for adults.
Liaison: The Rev. Vincent Black, Canon for Christian Formation
Current Regular Events: Lay Worship Leader Licensing; Saturday Lay Retreats, Education for Ministry (EFM)
Parish Children and Youth Task Group: providing resources, encouragement and training for clergy and lay parish leaders in establishing effective formation process and events on a congregational level for infant through elementary age children, also providing special events for children in the diocese.
Liaison: The Rev. Vincent Black, Canon for Christian Formation
Current Regular Events; Sunday School teacher training; Safeguarding God's Children
Youth Event Task Group: providing resources, encouragement and training for clergy and lay parish leaders in establishing effective formation processes and events on a congregational level for middle and high school aged persons; also providing special events for youth in the diocese.
Liaison: The Rev. Vincent Black Canon for Christian Formation
Current Regular Events: Diocesan Youth Events, Happening, Peer Ministry Training
Evangelism Task Group: providing resources, encouragement, and training for clergy and lay parish leaders in helping congregations share the Gospel with the world.
Liaison: The Rev. Brad Purdom, Canon for Congregations
Current Regular Events: Evangelism 101
Stewardship Task Group: providing resources, encouragement, and training for clergy and training for clergy and lay parish leaders in effective year round parish stewardship.
Liaison: The Rev. Alan James, Canon to the Ordinary
Natural Church Development (NCD) Task Group: leading and coordinating the NCD process in the diocese.
Liaison: The Rev. Brad Purdom, Canon for Congregations
College work Task Group: providing resources and training to equip parishes in the diocese for effective college ministry at nearby campuses.
Liaison: Canon for Christian Formation, The Rev. Vincent Black
Parish Leadership Development Task Group: providing quality workshops and training events for lay and ordained parish leaders.
Liaison: The Rev. Brad Purdom, Canon for Congregations
Liturgy and Worship Task Group: providing resources and training for clergy and lay leaders in renewing and energizing Sunday and weekday parish worship.
Liaison: The Rev. Brad Purdom, Canon for Congregations
Additional Office Events and Programs:
- Winter Convocation
- Kenyon Conference
Congregations/Formation Resources
The Office for Congregations and Christian Formation exists to help you and your congregation grow in faith, health, and vitality.This office can assist with:
- Natural Church Development (NCD)
- Parish Christian Formation Planning and Programming
- Liturgy and Music Development
- Evangelism
- College Work
- Diocesan Grants for Congregations
- Diocesan Resource Center
- Youth Ministry Planning and Development
- Safeguarding God's Children
- Adult Formation
- Parish Strategic Planning/Vestry Retreats
- Parish Spiritual Retreats
- And More...
Congregations/Formation Grants
- Guide to Grant Applications
- Ministry and Growth Grant Application (formerly known as Mission Enhancement Grants) – Grants to enable parishes to respond to ministry and parish growth opportunities beyond their own means to fund. Applications reviewed monthly.
- Christian Formation Grant Application – Grants to enable parishes to offer adult Christian formation opportunities beyond its own means to fund. Applications reviewed monthly.
- College Work Grant Application - 2012-2013 School Year – Grants to congregations to help develop ministry to college students at nearby campuses. These are awarded annually, the deadline for the 2012-2013 school year is June 14, 2012.
- Aid for Operating Expenses Grant Application - 2013 Aid Cycle – Grants for operating expenses for parishes with NOI under $100,000 and/or in a Shared Ministry. The deadline for the 2013 grant cycle is May 2, 2012.
- Lay Continuing Education Grant – Grants to lay members of the diocese for the purpose of developing skills for ministry with their congregation and for mission to the world. Applications reviewed monthly.
What is Christian Formation?
Christian Formation is the intentional and life-long process of faith development, of growing in our knowledge and love of God, and of equipping individuals and congregations to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world.Christian Formation involves education for children, youth, and adults, and it includes experience, prayer, spiritual disciplines, and liturgy in deepening our understanding of what it means to be a Christian in the contemporary world. It is as much about transformation as it is about information.
