Frequently asked questions

An initiative nurturing congregational thriving in ministry with their university neighbors, and a greenhouse for cultivating dynamic cohorts of university proximate congregations.

The Vinery: Awakening Faith and Flourishing at the Intersection of Church and University, is a brand new initiative of Mere Christianity Forum cultivating congregational thriving in ministry with nearby universities. It is generously funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment and the Thriving Congregations Initiative.

Young adults are less involved in churches in the United States than in any previous generation and relatively few congregations are engaged in awesome ministry with college students and young adults, much less entire universities. Churches need innovative resources for developing vibrant university ministries and they need a group of peer congregations to learn with as they grow in faithfulness and effectiveness.

The Vinery is not affiliated with a particular Christian denomination. We invite applicants from across the Christian theological spectrum to apply.

Congregations that long to become a dynamic hub of vibrant ministry serving people from a neighboring university that is within close physical proximity to universities. Depending on the context, close proximity could mean within walking distance, one to two miles, or even within a 10-15 drive or ride on public transit. Congregations that are already doing great ministry with its university neighbors, but interested in a process and partners to help take their ministry to the next level. Congregations that are not yet thriving in university ministry, but have set a strategic priority of investing in its university ministries, especially with college aged young adults, in the next three to five years. Collegiate ministries that are established and thriving, and sense a call to evolve into a congregational ministry.

We invite congregations to join us in a dynamic process of: Listening deeply to their university neighbors and members of their broader community through interviews, surveys, and anecdotal story sharing Reflecting on their congregation’s history, theology, and practices; building on vital strengths and addressing liabilities, particularly around issues of injustice Reimagining their congregation’s story of thriving in ministry with young adults, university neighbors, and their broader community as they discern God’s leading and enact purposeful design.

Our process is grounded in the methodology of Public Narrative sharing developed by Marshall Ganz. Public Narrative is a leadership practice of storytelling and mobilizing others through exploring the values, challenges, emotions, and outcomes involved in identity formation.

Three core characteristics of congregational thriving identified by the Lilly Endowment Inc., that The Vinery process will help congregations do well as they engage in vital university ministry: 1. Recognize their changing social and cultural contexts 2. Exhibit clarity of values and mission 3. Cultivate Christian practices

Strong candidates are congregations that demonstrate a willingness to engage in the following: - Self-reflection on their mission, values, theological resources and trustworthy ministry practices. - Cultural competence around issues of race, justice, equity, and narratives of dominant culture in their congregations and in ministry with their university neighbors. - Financial investment in covering expenses for participation in a 24 month cohort experience and emerging network of congregations committed to dynamic university ministry. - Developing a lead team to guide their congregation through the multi-step process, representing their congregation in The Vinery cohort, and communicate their work consistently to their congregation. - Time for retreats, listening sessions, and congregational engagement during the two-year Vinery cohort experience.

1. Guide their congregation through the multi-step process of listening, reflecting, and reimagining their congregation’s story of thriving in ministry with young adults, university neighbors, and broader community. 2. Represent their congregation in the Vinery cohort community; and communicate the vision and their work to their congregation consistently. 3. Attend monthly coaching sessions and collaborative learning calls with a Listening Cohort. 4. Record and share their journey with members of The Vinery team at least quarterly.