The Process

The process begins by asking two questions, “Are we called to the work of engaging with young adults?” and “Are we called to respond creatively, do we hold the capacity and curiosity to innovate, and are we committed to being part of a learning community?” 787 Collective Leadership provides guidance and tools for engaging the questions. 787 leaders and individual congregations determine mutually whether or not to covenant towards full participation in the Collective.

Once members, congregations can expect the following from the 787 Collective:

The opportunity to learn about the fundamentals of innovation in theory and action
Guided reflection and coaching around design implementation and evaluation, with particular attention towards an integrated theological praxis
Grants of up to $30,000 to support project development and implementation
A robust community of peer learners and designated time and space for gathering
Other resources (instruction, coaching, connecting) as needed

Collective Membership Requires Submission of a Portfolio

Congregations who sense a call and desire to join in the work of The 787 Collective should submit a completed portfolio to Martha Lynn Coon, Director of Congregational Innovation, by December 1st. A complete portfolio includes:

Discernment Reflection. Click here to find the Discernment Reflection, or follow this link if you are beginning your Discernment Process and are interested in reading or following the full 787 Discernment Guide.
Completion of Narrating Your Congregational Story: A Guided Tour. To access the companion to our Discernment Guide, click here to read Narrating Your Congregational Story, a comprehensive guide to the group process of considering your congregation’s story.
Letter of Support from a member of the pastoral staff. This can be written per email or in hard copy, either scanned, emailed or sent by regular mail.

All materials should be submitted to Martha Lynn Coon at mcoon@austinseminary.edu, or mailed to:

The 787 Collective
attn: Martha Lynn Coon
100 E. 27th Street
Austin, TX 78705

Each group will also be asked to complete an interview with a member of the 787 Staff and the staff will contact you in early to mid-November to determine a mutually agreeable time. The 787 Collective will consider these materials and contact you no later than January 5, 2018, with information about the status of your membership in the Collective and the next steps toward participation in the first round of funding and learning opportunities available in Spring 2018.

The 787 Collective expects that member congregations will maintain a core group committed to the project, participate in 787 Studio and Learning Intensives, attend gatherings of the Collective (estimated at twice a year), and stay engaged with core learning partners throughout the course of the project. Member congregations must also comply with grant reporting requirements, financial and programmatic, for the duration of the grant cycle.

The 787 Collective anticipates a three-year time span to cycle through Phases 2 through 5. This is an average projection, and each congregation will proceed at a pace that is relevant and helpful to their project scope.

Phase I

Discernment
Preparation
Application

Phase III

Continue Learning Intensives
Individual Congregational Ideation
Continue Experimentation
Design Innovation Plan

Phase V

Refine and Retool
Re-implement or Design Where Necessary
Continue Implementation
Feedback and Reflection

PHASE II

Learning Intensives
Rapid Cycle Prototyping with Funding
Establishing Core Partnerships

PHASE IV

Begin Implementation
Integrate Feedback Loops
Collective Reflection on Process with Core Partners.

PHASE VI

Reflect
Celebrate and Convert Learning Into Commitments Toward The Future To Support Ongoing Transformation.