FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is NEXT Church?
NEXT Church is a network of leaders — church members, ruling elders, youth leaders, educators, pastors, mid-council leaders, seminarians, and church professionals — who believe the Spirit is moving powerfully in the Church today, even as what it means to be Church is changing. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit who operate within and beyond the Presbyterian Church (USA).
NEXT Church seeks to follow God by strengthening the relational fabric of church — connecting healthy tissue to healthy tissue. We do this by cultivating congregations and leaders who work in sustained, effective, and faithful ways to promote God’s transformation of our communities for the common good.
We actively seek to confront systems and structures of oppression in ourselves and the world around us in all of our work. As those steeped in a tradition trusting in repentance and grace, we recognize we do our work imperfectly and yet we continually strive to learn, seek forgiveness, and go a new way. We seek to create spaces where people can feel equipped and empowered to embrace the intersection of their identity, as well as the identities of around them, in order to create a more wholistic Creation.
Can I join NEXT Church?
You can! Join NEXT Church by participating in the conversation, doing innovative ministry in your community, and coming to national gatherings to share what you’ve learned and be inspired by others. You can be in touch with us to bring a leader from NEXT Church to your community for a workshop, retreat, or preaching. Offer your financial support so that we can continue to connect leaders and create space for generative conversation. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram and sign up (found in the footer of every page) for our email newsletter to stay in touch with what’s going on.
How do I support what NEXT Church is doing?
Pray for God’s Spirit to connect and guide us.
Bring NEXT Church ideas to your community.
Bring a friend or colleague to a NEXT Church gathering or online offering. Better yet, bring a pastor friend and a church member.
Offer your financial support online or via check.
I heard NEXT Church engaged in an antiracism audit. Is that report available to read?
Yes you can! In the winter of 2019, NEXT Church contracted with Crossroads Antiracism Organizing and Training for a racial equity audit of NEXT Church as an organization. The NEXT Church Audit Team began meeting in June 2019, and completed its work in February 2021. You can read the report and its findings in full.
How is NEXT Church structured?
NEXT Church is a network of leaders across the PC(USA) and beyond. The more people who are a generative part of this movement, the better. NEXT Church’s leadership teams seeks to give over-arching direction to our collective work. The Vision Team serves as the Board of Directors of NEXT Church — setting the agenda and making decisions. The work of NEXT Church is supported by a dedicated staff who work towards implementation and strategic design. You can read more about our leadership and structure here.
I want to help! How do I give money?
Thank you for asking! Your support is vital to the mission and ministry of NEXT Church, especially as we move into a new chapter as a 501(c)(3). Learn more about the ways you can donate or offer leads to funding. Checks sent to NEXT Church should be mailed here:
NEXT Church
attn: Jen James
P.O. Box 150003
Alexandria, VA 22315