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About Transformation Ministries

We know God is in the business of change.
But that doesn’t make it any easier for us!

CCIW’s Transformation Ministries equips churches, pastors, and ministries to deal with the demands of a rapidly evolving world. We know change can be a catalyst for growth and renewal. We believe thriving communities of faith are resilient, adaptable, and deeply rooted in God’s unchanging love.

We are here to help empower you to navigate transitions with courage and grace.

Resources for Renewal

The work of Transformation requires a great deal of commitment, energy, and focus. We provide opportunities for pastors and leaders to attend to their own spiritual health, even as they lead their congregations towards corporate transformation.

CCIW’s Transformation Team hosts an annual Transformation Retreat in November. Additionally, we provide regular opportunities for pastors to connect with renewing resources including conversation with peers, spiritual health cohorts, corporate Bible study, and more. For more info, please contact us.

Annual Transformation Retreat – Nov. 11-13, 2024

Our annual Transformation Retreat will be help Mon, Nov. 11 – Wed, Nov. 13 at Pilgrim Park Camp and Conference Center in Tiskilwa, IL. This gathering provides space for rest and reflection, collegial support, practice of spiritual disciplines, and gentle learning. For more info, please contact us.

Annual CCIW/ CCMR Clergy Retreat: Cultivating Connections

Our CCIW/ CCMR Clergy Retreat is coming up soon. We will gather April 2-4 at Tower Hill Camp on the shores of Lake Michigan in Sawyer, MI, just 80 miles from Chicago. This will be a time of rest, renewal, retreat, and connection for clergy. Read more about the schedule for the retreat at this link. Registration is open and you are welcome!

Resources for Worship

The Transformation Team works with gifted creative people to provide resources for worship including liturgies, prayers, sermon starters, art, symbolic actions and more. Got an idea? Let us know!

Pentecost Resources

The Transformation Team in CCIW is excited to be able to offer a sample of Fall Afresh: Renewing Resources for Pentecost and Beyond for use in your congregation. These worship resources, prayers, meditations, and activities are sure to lift up your spirits as you gather for worship on Pentecost.

Pentecost and transformation go hand-in-hand as we celebrate and remember God’s gift of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the church. These resources are a gift from the Transformation Team and include a discount code should you want to purchase an even-more robust resource for your church. May God’s transforming spirit fall afresh on each of us, and all of us, we pray.

Fall Afresh is now available for download as a PDF file.Fall Afresh is now available for download as a PDF file.

Reclaiming Our Call

Worship Resources to Spark Transformational Conversations

Reclaimed lumber can make spectacular furniture. The nail holes and scuff marks from the former use of the wood adds depth and character. The same is true when we reclaim our calling as Disciples of Christ. Each of our unique histories adds to the beauty of what God is calling each of us, and all of us to today.

“Reclaiming Our Call” is a cooperative project from the Illinois/Wisconsin and Michigan regions, that includes a scripture-based call to worship, opening prayer, a scripture suggestion, hymn suggestions, and preaching prompts. “Reclaiming our Call” was originally developed for use during Lent, and is currently undergoing a revision for use as a 5-week series appropriate at any time throughout the year.

Reclaiming Our Call is now available for download as a PDF fileReclaiming Our Call is now available for download as a PDF file
March 4, 2024 in Ministries, Regional, Transformation

Transformation Thoughts – New or Remodeled?

In the late fall of 2017, my wife and I started building our “dream house” on land we purchased a few years earlier. I am blessed to have had a…
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February 5, 2024 in Ministries, Regional, Transformation

Transformation Thoughts – Impact over Intent

Poster designed and sold by Jennifer Mazzucco Impact over Intent: And a Story of Forgiveness In the fall of 2022, I gathered with the other faculty members of the Center…
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January 17, 2024 in Congregations, Transformation

What a Church Can Do: A Transforming Congregation’s Year in Review

Mosaic Christian Church in Peoria, IL posts about a great year at the little church.
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If you have any questions, or would like more information about personal, congregational, or community transformation, please contact Associate Regional Minister for Transformation, Alex Ruth at [email protected].