The Whitworth University Office of Church Engagement (OCE) partners with churches and ministry organizations for effective ministry in the context of enormous cultural change. The OCE serves as a bridge, connecting churches and ministries with appropriate Whitworth staff, faculty and students to address the changing needs of congregations. The OCE provides opportunities to grow in Christian spirit
uality, to serve in and through local congregations, to equip elders for lay leadership, and to encourage authentic Christian witness. With the support of the Lilly Endowment, the OCE seeks to address changing religious cultures through partnership and programs designed to meet the needs of church leaders in the face of the cultural change happening in our churches. The goal of The Ekklesia Project is to enlarge and develop Whitworth’s ability to function as a catalyst, center and resource for conversation, vision-casting, planning and programming. The Ekklesia Project is one component of the OCE, functioning as a resource center for envisioning new forms of ministry, strategic planning and programming for the church partners. The project seeks to assist churches and other Christian organizations in the region as they discern how they can be the church and do ministry in the cultural setting of the Pacific Northwest in the 21st century. The OCE will pursue opportunities to develop and deepen partnerships with Presbyterian denominations, and with other expressions of the global church, and will also look to expand local and regional ministries. Additionally, the office will work with churches to assess needs in the local community and to develop strategies and programs to meet those needs. The OCE also coordinates the Certificate in Ministry Engagement, the program designed to equip Christians biblically and theologically with practical ministry skills. The program provides the opportunity to develop new and innovative forms of ministry as massive cultural changes challenge the church. Certificate modules are delivered monthly on campus in Spokane or accessible online. For more information about any of these programs please visit our website at www.whitworth.edu/oce
