Tell
the Compelling Story of Your Sacred Place
Be
honest. If someone asked you to make a case for the value and potential of your
congregation, could you quickly and confidently reply? Would the strength of
your conviction draw them into your mission?
If
not, we can help.
The
most popular service Partners provides is our flagship training called New Dollars/New Partners for Your Sacred
Place. Its manifold purpose is to strengthen congregational
leadership, develop community partnerships, increase organizational
effectiveness, and help sacred places deploy their buildings.
All
of this begins with a module called “Making the Case for Your Sacred Place.”
It’s a simple reality: unless we can tell the story of our sacred places with
passion and vision, we will not be effective in attracting new partners.
During
the training, participants develop a compelling “case story” through activities
centered on three questions.
Who
Are We? How does our congregation’s history relate to
themes in American, architectural, and American religious history? How have we
influenced or reflected our community? How has our building served as a symbol
of local heritage? How has our congregation used its facilities to serve and
interact with our neighbors? Many participants recall – or unearth – amazing
aspects of their story. This can mean poring over existing histories, archival
photos or material, and even recording oral testimonies from longstanding
members. It’s a powerful exercise, celebrating the faithfulness of those who
have gone before us and the legacy of their vision.
What
Do We Have? Though participants explore many layers of this
question through asset mapping in module two, the initial focus is on the
congregation’s building(s). It sets the groundwork for “out of the box”
thinking on how existing structures offer opportunities for new and creative
ministry.
What
Do We Do? No matter how limited it may be at first, most congregations
open their doors to community use. This part of the training underscores the
value of this work. Partners has been a national pioneer in helping communities
understand the true worth of sacred places in their midst, shown in our recent
landmark study, The Economic Halo Effect of Sacred Places. Participants
in this module use an online tool to help them with their value estimations.
When
all the answers are tabulated, the research done, the words carefully chosen,
compelling stories emerge. Suzy Yowell, Director of Partners’ Texas Office, has
witnessed this process many times.
“We
see congregations use their case story, or pieces of it, in a variety of ways,”
she says. “On their websites, in programs, at newcomers’ classes, through
capital campaign materials, social media, grant proposals, even displayed in an
archive room or hall. The time and effort it takes is an investment worth
making! The information has an incredible impact on how others view a sacred
place. The wider community sees the value of the sacred place’s service to its
neighbors, how its space is shared , the architectural uniqueness of its building,
and its role in the community’s history.
“If
you want someone to care about you, give them something to care about!”
If
you or someone you know belongs to a sacred place that could benefit from a New
Dollars/New Partners training, give us a call!