Friend,
After over a decade of fiscal sponsorship with Village Presbyterian Church, NEXT Church has officially become an independent 501(c)(3)! This significant step allows us to better serve the Church as led by our Board of Directors and inspired by the NEXT Church network.
The Early Movement
NEXT Church originated as a movement seeking to connect leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We began as a counter-narrative in a time when the denomination experienced significant fracture due to LGBTQIA+ ordination standards and the portrayal of decline and scarcity were prominent. As time went on, NEXT Church looked inward to explore its own complicity in systems of oppression. Leadership committed to creating conditions for liberation and justice, both internally and externally.
We have always strived to be a place where leaders from across the Church can explore, name, and celebrate what is next. Together, we will imagine and uncover new ways of living our faith in the world.
The NEXT Chapter
The structural shift to a 501(c)(3) allows us to better accompany those passionate about participating in gatherings and conversations with faithful, energetic, and inspiring leaders from across the Church. Whether a Roundtable Conversation, coaching cohort, workshop, antiracism coaching, or National Gathering, we believe the NEXT Church network exists at the edge of uncovering what is possible in the future. By coming together, we are sent out feeling more connected, more collaborative, and more prepared to challenge the status quo.
Our strategic goals for the next 2-3 years include:
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Cultivate the NEXT Church network by connecting leaders from across the larger Church to dream and vision about the future through regional gatherings, virtual discussions, learning circles, and networking opportunities.
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Enhance our online presence through our website and e-learning platform to improve communication and build leadership skills by embodying an approach of moving from knowledge to practice, adaptation, and resilience.
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Expand and invest in our skilled coaching team to accompany leaders and congregations toward embodied wholeness, justice, and transformation.
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Adapt and implement the recommendations from the 2021 Race Audit with regular reporting to support transparency within and outside of the organization.
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Transition the contract staff, both the Executive Director and Director of Programs and Operations, to salaried positions with benefits in order to align our commitment to justice and equity with our employment practices.
We are grateful for the 10+ years of support from our fiscal sponsor, Village Presbyterian Church. The business office has provided countless hours of in-kind support. The session and staff provided generous gifts of their time and financial contributions. This organizational structure provided the stability necessary to explore the identity, resources, and programs for the NEXT Church network.
We need your financial support now more than ever.
Going out on our own is a big risk. We will not be sustainable into the future without your help today. Here are three ways you can support us in this critical and exciting season.
1. Make a generous one-time end of year gift. Whether the gift is given individually or organizationally, it will allow us to meet our $45,000 goal to close the 2024 programmatic year strong.
2. Sign-up to be a monthly donor. You can be a part of sustaining the movement with an on-going gift. Whether it is $25 or $250 a month, these gifts allow us to dream big and steward funds faithfully.
3. Pledge a single or multi-year gift as an individual or through your church, presbytery, synod, or organization. These contributions invest in equitable and just compensation practices for our staff and coaches. We believe all leaders should have access to resources and one another; a significant gift makes our programming accessible to a broad audience. They allow us to deepen our work and plan future learning opportunities.
We know you receive a lot of requests for financial support, especially at this time of year. But the truth is, if you are receiving this email or have ever attended a Roundtable Conversation or gone to a National Gathering or participated in a cohort, we need you to help us build towards our new future.
You are an essential part of the NEXT Church network and, together, we will face this extraordinary time in the Church and world.
Invest in the movement toward what is next!
With Advent Hope,
Larissa Kwong Abazia
Executive Director
