2025 Conference 
Resources


Planning & Activity Resources for 
Pathways toward a Thriving Parish

Looking for Project Launch Documents? Click Here to Access Preparation Resources


2025 Conference Program Guide PDF

 

To begin developing the strategic roadmap that will enable your parish to reach its goals, the Program Guide for your 2025 Conference outlines:

  • Introduction to the Pathways toward a Thriving Parish Project
  • Theological Foundations for the Pathways toward a Thriving Parish Project
  • Activity #1. Experiences of Parish Life, Mission, and Flourishing
  • Activity #2. Thriving Parish Characteristics & Assessment
  • Activity #3. The Parish & the World
  • Activity #4. SWOT Analysis of Parish Life
  • Activity #5. Discerning Pathways toward Thriving
  • Activity #6. Designing Pathways toward Thriving
  • Activity #7. Developing Leaders
  • Activity #8. Introducing Change – Strategies for Applying the Switch Framework
2025 Program Guide PDF
Download in English
Guía del Programa 2025 PDF
Descargar en Español

Download in MS Word (English)

A Video Introduction to the Project

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Guide to Designing Questions for Listening Sessions - PDF

 

In this guide, you will find:

  • Hosting CONVERSATIONS IN THE SPIRIT (CIS) to help test out your pathway
  • Hosting LISTENING SESSIONS as a way to help people feel a greater sense of community and belonging in your church
    • Listening Session
    • Discernment Session
  • Additional Questions by Topic or Audience
  • Additional Resource: Sample Listening Session Outline
Questions Guide PDF
Download in English
Guía de Preguntas PDF
Descargar en Español


2025 Conference Presentation PDF

 

Slides from the in-person Conferences

The following presentation deck was used during the 3 day gatherings of our project participants, accompanying the Program Guide.

Program Presentation PDF
Download

Download the MS Powerpoint File

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Video: Conversations in the Spirit

 

History, Spirituality, & Importance to Our Project

Presenter:

Dr. Tracey Lamont
Director and Associate Professor, Loyola Institute for Ministry
Co-director of Pathways toward a Thriving Parish Project

Download the Conversations in the Spirit Presentation PDF
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Video: Walking Together in the Spirit of Communion

 

Ecclesial and Scriptural Roots of Synodality

Presenter:

Dr. Jodi G. Hunt, Ph.D.
Executive Director, The Neuhoff Institute of Ministry & Evangelization -- University of Dallas

Download the Walking Together Presentation PDF


Designing a Pathway PDF

 

This document - Designing a Parish Pathway around Parish Priorities - outlines the following initial steps for establishing your plan for this project:

  • Selecting priorities
  • Generating ideas and strategies
  • Selecting, describing, and designing a Pathway
  • Consulting with and getting feedback from parish leaders
  • Testing
Design Procedure PDF
Download

Download the MS Word File


2025 Conference Articles

 

Additional Resources

The following articles support the guide and presentation from your Conference. Download the PDFs to learn more about each topic...

A Framework for
Thriving Churches (Barna)
Download
Four Steps to
Practicing Synodality
Download
Parish Vitality Report
(FADICA)
Download
The Thriving Church 
(Barna)
Download
A Communal Discernment
Approach (Keng)
Download
What is a
Flourishing Congregation (Thiessen)
Download