Commission on Thriving Leaders and Churches

When is the First Cohort

January 2026 to June 2026, monthly every 3rd Thursday on Zoom, 6-8 pm

What Churches?

One church from each Ministry Group is represented in the first cohort. They are:

• Cumberland Presbyterian
• Harundale Presbyterian Church
• Hope Presbyterian Church
• Knox Presbyterian Church
• Presbyterian Church of East Africa Baltimore City (a new church renting at Perry Hall)
• St Andrew’s (Mt. Airy)

What does this cost?

No financial commitment. This is a commitment of time, energy, and relationship.

Who are the leaders?

• DeEtte Decker and Courtney Hoekstra from the Office of Innovation.
• Michele Wallen, Associate for Missional and Community Engagement.

What is the time commitment outside of the sessions like for cohort members?

The time commitment outside of the sessions is designed to be manageable yet meaningful,
allowing participants to engage with the material without feeling overwhelmed. The estimated
time commitment per session is 1-2 hours outside of the monthly innovation lab sessions.

The outside work is flexible and designed to integrate into their existing ministry work, ensuring that they are applying innovation in real time rather than adding extra burdens.

• Pre-Session Preparation (30-45 minutes)
• Short readings from Collective Genius, Leading Faithful Futures, or The Innovator’s DNA
• Reflective journaling or responding to guiding questions
• Reviewing case studies or watching a brief video
• Practical Application & Experimentation (30-60 minutes)
• Trying out an exercise or innovation tool in their ministry context
• Engaging in a conversation with their leadership team or congregation
• Observing or gathering insights on challenges/opportunities in their setting
• Peer Connection (Optional, 15-30 minutes)
• Light engagement in an online discussion space or group chat
• Touchpoints with other cohort members for support and idea-sharing

What kind of ‘toolkit’ will they have at the end of this? We’ve had trainers come in before with great theories, but little follow through with practical application.

Your leaders will leave the Innovation Lab with a practical, action-oriented toolkit designed to
help them apply innovation principles directly in their ministry contexts. This will not be a theory-heavy training that ends with inspiration but no implementation. Instead, each session will focus on hands-on exercises, reflection prompts, and real-world applications drawn from Collective Genius, Leading Faithful Futures, and The Innovator’s DNA.

By the end of the lab, participants will have:

• A Playbook for Innovation – A structured framework for identifying challenges, brainstorming solutions, and testing new ideas within their congregations and communities.
• Practical Exercises & Activities – Step-by-step guides for applying key innovation techniques such as human-centered design, experimentation, and adaptive leadership.
• Innovation Conversation Starters – Prompts and questions to engage teams, congregations, and leadership in creative problem-solving.
• Case Studies & Examples – Real-world applications of how churches and ministries have successfully implemented innovation strategies.
• A Personalized Innovation Roadmap – Each participant will outline concrete next steps for applying what they’ve learned to their specific ministry setting.
• Peer Learning & Support – A network of fellow leaders who are also engaging in innovation work, creating opportunities for collaboration and shared learning beyond the lab.
• This lab is designed for action. Our goal is not just to introduce concepts but to equip participants with tools they can immediately put to use in their leadership, decision-making, and ministry development.

How many people would you recommend for a cohort, and, which people would you
recommend? Pastors, ruling elders, etc.?

For a cohort, the Office of Innovation recommends a group size of 8 to 12 participants. This size
allows for meaningful discussion, collaboration, and engagement while ensuring that everyone
has a voice in the process.

Who are the future members of the Cohort?

The most effective cohorts will have a diverse mix of leaders who bring different perspectives,
experiences, and decision-making authority. Suggested:

• Pastors & Clergy – They provide theological framing, spiritual leadership, and a deep understanding of the congregation’s needs.
• Ruling Elders – As key decision-makers, they bring governance insight and a lay perspective on church innovation.
• Church Administrators or Staff – Those involved in daily operations can offer practical insights into implementation.
• Emerging Leaders (Young Adults, New Elders, or Ministry Innovators) – Bringing fresh perspectives and future-oriented thinking.

By assembling a cross-section of leaders, the cohort will have a well-rounded perspective on
theological vision, decision-making, operational execution, and community impact—all essential
for sustainable innovation.

How does someone apply to participate in an Innovation Lab Cohort?

Contact Rev. Michele Wallen, Associate for Missional & Community Engagement:
mwallen@baltimorepresbytery.org.

Online Interest From (coming soon)

Frequently Asked Questions

What will we learn?

Generating New Possibilities – The primary purpose of an Innovation Lab is to ignite
creativity. Participants collaborate to brainstorm innovative approaches to ministry,
outreach, and community engagement. It’s a place where the conventional boundaries
are pushed, and novel solutions emerge.

Exploring Uncharted Territory – An Innovation Lab encourages bold exploration. It
invites people to step beyond their comfort zones, question assumptions, and envision
new ways of serving God and the community. Whether it’s reimagining worship
experiences, digital outreach, or social justice initiatives, the lab provides a safe space
for experimentation.

Adapting to Changing Contexts – The world evolves, and so does the church’s
mission. An Innovation Lab equips congregations, presbyteries, and mid councils to
adapt. It helps them respond effectively to shifting cultural, technological, and social
landscapes. By fostering adaptability, the lab ensures that the church remains relevant
and impactful.

Nurturing Collaborative Spirit – Innovation thrives in an environment of open dialogue.
The lab encourages diverse voices—laypeople, clergy, youth, and seasoned leaders —
to contribute. It’s a place where ideas collide, merge, and evolve. Collaboration becomes
the catalyst for transformative ministry.

Testing and Refining Ideas – Within the lab, ideas are not just conceptual; they’re
prototypes waiting to be tested. Participants experiment with new worship formats,
community programs, or outreach strategies. They learn from both successes and
failures, refining their approaches along the way.

Inspiring Hope and Vision – Innovation Labs infuse hope amid challenges and
uncertainties. It reminds us that God’s work is ongoing, and fresh possibilities await. As
participants catch a glimpse of what could be, they become ambassadors of hope within
their context and beyond.

What examples of Innovation Labs are out there?

• Bubble Up: “Bubble Up: Conversations to Carbonate Your Imagination” in the Lake Erie Presbytery.
• Innovating Beyond: Innovating beyond the solo pastor model with Presbyteries in Tennessee, Missouri, and Kansas.
• Economic Model Innovation: congregation going from $40,000 in congregation sources in 2016 to $832,000 from diverse sources in 2023.
• Design Sprint: People from different domains and interests coming together in a common challenge creating something for the church.