Office of Faithful Innovation offers interactive online workshop on 'future thinking' in ministry

What might the church look like 10–20 years from now?

This is the question behind this month’s Innovation Network gathering hosted by the Office of Faithful Innovation within Presbyterian Life & Witness, an agency of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The gathering, scheduled to take place on Zoom at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on April 15, is described by organizers as an “experiential lab” using a practice called “episode future thinking.”

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DeEtte Decker, one of the managers in the Office of Faithful Innovation, said, “This isn’t a typical webinar where participants sit back and receive information. It’s an interactive, communal space where leaders engage practices together. We’re not just talking about innovation; we’re cultivating it in real time.” 

Participants will have the opportunity to engage in two interactive exercises that will allow them to mentally rehearse possible futures with the goal of responding more creatively and faithfully in the present. 

“At its core, this gathering treats imagination as a spiritual and leadership practice,” Decker said. “Rather than focusing only on what has been, we’re creating space to prayerfully and creatively consider what God may be calling the church to become.”

Decker said she hopes participants will come away with “a renewed sense of hope and possibility for the church” — not because they have learned how to accurately predict the future, but because they’ve “experienced how to engage [the future] with curiosity, courage, and trust in the Spirit’s movement.”

The Office of Faithful Innovation launched several years ago with a mission of equipping PC(USA) mid council leaders to navigate complexity, experiment with new forms of ministry, and support congregations in a time of significant change. Through cohorts, labs, experiments, resources, and Innovation Network gatherings, the Office of Faithful Innovation creates spaces where leaders can reflect deeply, collaborate meaningfully and test new ideas in community.

Faithful Innovation resources and opportunities are designed to engage church leaders in learning and conversation around property reinvention, artificial intelligence and the church, and other emerging issues presenting challenges to modern ministry. Current offerings include online learning opportunities, innovation toolkits for churches and mid councils, and six-month innovation cohorts.

Decker emphasized that the work “is rooted in the belief that innovation is not about novelty for its own sake. It’s about faithful response to where God is leading.” 

The April 15 event is part of a monthly series of Innovation Network gatherings, which launched in March with insights from the Rev. Trey Hegar about the innovative approaches to ministry happening at the congregation he pastors, First Presbyterian Church in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. 

These monthly “immersions” are intended to provide leaders with an ongoing rhythm of support over time, instead of one-time events. Over the course of the year, immersions will move between two core experiences: “Imagination Engines” and “Conversation + Connection.” 

The former, including April’s event, are immersive and hands-on, using guided simulations and future-focused practices to explore and develop faithful responses to emerging realities. Meanwhile, “Conversation + Connection” gatherings provide focused space for facilitated, peer-driven reflection and shared learning. These events allow participants to collaboratively workshop real challenges and discover insight alongside and from one another.

With the exception of July, Innovation Network gatherings will take place at 2 pm Eastern Time on the third Wednesday of every month throughout 2026. Future months will tackle topics including the ethical implications of emerging technologies and what effective leadership looks like in the midst of volatile and uncertain times.

Decker said she hopes people who engage in the Innovation Network series “are reminded that they are not alone in this work.” 

“Across the PC(USA), leaders are asking similar questions and facing similar challenges," she said. "These gatherings create space to learn from one another and to be strengthened for the work of ministry in a changing world.” 

Innovation Network gatherings are free to participants and do not require prior registration. Anyone interested in participating can join the Zoom call at the appropriate time.