First Step

ECF often hears about the challenges facing parishes and leaders. Some of the concerns include, “How are we doing?,” “What do we need to know?,” or most commonly, “Where do we begin?”

Strategic thinking and mission planning, leadership formation, and stewardship are all vital for the health of a parish. Yet often the hardest part of getting started is knowing just where to start.

To address this need, ECF has launched a free assessment tool. ECF First Step is designed to guide parishes as they prioritize their needs and provide resources to help.

Its purpose is as follows:

• To help parishes articulate challenges and/or needs as a first step towards prioritizing
• To offer leaders the opportunity to talk with someone at the Episcopal Church Foundation
• To share some basic information about a congregation that will help our staff prepare for the initial conversation
• To provide participants with links to resources for congregational leaders

The assessment tool can be printed or taken online at www.episcopalfoundation.org.

Questions about ECF First Step? Contact Erin Weber-Johnson, Program Director for Strategic Resources, at (347) 525- 4339 or eweberjohnson@episcopalfoundation.org.