Grow Church is a congregational development program offered in partnership between the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia and the Diocesan Church Development Institute (DCDI)

What is DCDI?

 The Diocesan Church Development Institute (DCDI) is a leadership training program focused on developing the spiritual community and organizational life of congregations. It equips leaders to serve their congregation through a highly integrated training experience that engages participants in the issues and dynamics that they face as leaders. DCDI is a program for clergy and lay leaders who desire to transform their congregations by making them stronger, healthier, more deeply rooted in Anglican Spirituality, more responsive to God, and more effective in their communities.  

DCDI provides the foundation for Grow Church, and we will tailor their program to meet the specific needs of the Diocese of West Virginia.

Who does it impact?

 Individuals – in spiritual formation, expanding self-awareness, leadership skills, and ability to work in teams

Congregations – in defining clarity of purpose, encouraging healthy dynamics, and intentional development

Diocese – in providing a common theory base, along with the tools and skills of congregational development that build a critical mass of healthy congregations.  

Grow Church is for laity and clergy alike. Individuals, whether lay or clergy, are welcome to sign up; we particularly encourage congregations to send teams to Grow Church so that participants may share their learning together and have a deeper impact in their parish.

What does the Grow Church program look like?

 Grow Church is a two-year program that gathers four times per year (eight times over two years) for overnight meetings around the Diocese. Programming kicks off Friday morning and runs through Saturday midday, with participants departing in the early afternoon following lunch.

Each overnight event will focus on forming participants as a community and as members of the Diocese of West Virginia, teach congregational development skills, and offer opportunities for continued spiritual formation and worship.

What is the cost of Grow Church?

For 2023-2024, Grow Church costs $500 per person. This includes all materials and meals for participants at the four yearly gatherings. This does not include overnight hotel accommodations, although we are working to secure discounted hotel blocks. Whenever possible, we encourage congregations to help offset costs for participants. Checks may be made payable to the Diocese of West Virginia with "Grow Church" in the memo.

What are the dates and locations for Grow Church 2023-2024? 

Please note: these dates are for a Thursday night arrival, with programming on Friday and Saturday.

October 5-7, 2023,  at St. Matthew’s, Charleston 

November 30- December 2, 2023, at St. Matthew’s, Wheeling

March 14-16, 2024, at Trinity, Parkersburg 

May 9-11, 2024,  at St. James, Lewisburg 

If you have any questions about Grow Church or your registration, please contact the Rev. Canon Jordan Trumble at jtrumble@wvdiocese.org