Formation Co-Op Cohorts

A Formation Co-Op Cohort consists of a Guide who accompanies one or more congregations as they move through the Formation Co-Op Process. During the four-year grant period, the Formation Co-Op will work with three groups of cohorts. This ever-expanding community of co-learners and co-creators are invaluable in helping us develop the process, resources and framework for future participants to engage with the Formation Co-Op!

Group A: 2023 – 2025

The goal for Group A was to develop the curriculum, resources and process for the Formation Co-Op. Five Guides and ten Congregation Teams boldly jumped in to test the prototypes that were developed. The power of listening to their context was clearly the most impactful element of the work. We also learned that Guides are the “secret sauce” for the Co-Op, playing an integral role in accompanying congregations by providing support, accountability, and an outside perspective. Bringing congregations together for networking and collaboration is also a vital component of our process. You can hear the stories of this first cohort in season one of Faith Listens.

“We got into this thinking we had to come up with a new way of doing youth ministry. Instead, we have realized we aren’t using any assets that haven’t already been there. We can revamp programs that were successful at one point and make them more relevant because of our listening. We hope this isn’t just a 2-year thing and that this becomes part of our DNA. We want to incorporate listening into all that we do and continue to work with the team in this cooperative method.”  - Group A Congregation Team Leader

Group B: 2024 – 2026

The goal for Group B was to adapt the process based on what we learned from Group A, and see if the process could be replicated with different leaders and participants. Group B has seven Guides and eleven Congregation Teams. It has been exciting to see a new group engage with the process, experiencing an equal depth of impact as the first group. Watch for stories from this group later in 2025.

“They have learned so much from their listening sessions. One church I am working with didn't realize the potential in their own assets until one of their listening sessions called them out and spoke to how they would use them. Also, some of those in the listening sessions have increased their attendance since they have been "heard" throughout this process." - Group B Guide

Group C: 2025 – 2026

As we look to our final group, we are curious how we might scale this initiative to reach more congregations and make the Formation Co-Op a sustainable venture beyond the grant period. For our final cohort we will pilot a regional hub model where congregations can gather more frequently to foster a collaborative community. To do this, we are partnering with five Lutheran Outdoor Ministry sites. Each site will serve as host and Guide, gathering up to five area congregations to be part of the hub cohort. Outdoor Ministry sites will be announced in early May 2025 with applications to participate following soon thereafter.

Beyond Group C – What’s next?

Our hope with Group C is to develop a system in which camps, synods, and individual leaders might serve as Hub Guides to make the Formation Co-Op accessible to congregations across the country. We are also considering online cohorts and intensive models. Stay tuned!

Formation Co-Op Links:

Formation Co-Op Home
The Formation Co-Op Process
Faith Listens Podcast
Formation Co-Op Webinars
Formation Co-Op Cohorts