Churches in Renewal Network

Q: How do I register for the Network?

You can see that we seek members who are eager—and even called by God—to be engaged with what God is doing in the Network. To that end, we invite you into a process of discernment about your potential participation.To assist that discernment process, we provide a set of materials and questions for you to review personally and with the appropriate church leaders. Throughout this process, we invite you to keep asking, “Does it seem right to me/us and to the Holy Spirit for our church to participate in the Churches in Renewal Network at this time?” We honor all answers to this question—whether it be yes, no, or not yet.Once the answer to that question is “yes,” please complete and submit your Registration Packet, and discern together as a church what level of financial contribution is right for you at this time.

It’s common for a church to stall out in the shallows of discipleship.

For pastors and leaders to feel lonely or stuck.

For local congregations — even those with a solid grounding and clear mission — to become divided or distracted by secondary things.

It happens to the best.

What these churches and pastors need isn’t a new program or a perfect five-year plan.

They need companions who gently remind one another of their First Love and why local church is worth the work.

They need a human connection to various Streams of the big‑C Church to renew Kingdom imagination.

They need a safe forum to ask hard questions, hear wise perspectives, and discern Spirit-led strategies with peers and mentors.

Renovaré’s Churches in Renewal Network seeks to meet this need.

The Network connects, guides, and provides practical resources for churches that long to be healthy communities of Jesus, practicing his presence, doing what he taught, and growing in loving others well.

Forty Years of Cross-Pollination

Renovaré has been getting churches together since 1988.

When Richard Foster founded Renovaré, churches who wanted him to speak had to gather five other churches from different traditions and host an event together. Friendships formed in those gatherings continue to this day. The Churches in Renewal Network is our continued way to help Christians of all traditions learn and grow together.

Inside the Network

Pastors rarely get these spaces.

A processing space

Somewhere to brainstorm, pray, and share about leading with people who understand.
A learning space

Wisdom from leaders who have put the way of Jesus into practice in a congregation.
A listening space

A crosstalk-free place with other pastors to listen to God, to each other, and to your own heart.

Renovaré Book Club

Invite everyone into a journey of renewal.

Member churches receive unlimited church-wide memberships to the Renovaré Book Club: four soul-shaping books, a weekly reading guide, conversations with the authors, and live Q&A. Ready-made for small groups or a church-wide read.

Find Out More

Come and see, then discern.

Churches in Renewal Network Info Session

A free 45-minute overview on Zoom with Brandan Spencer, with plenty of time for your questions.

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Questions + Responses

You May Be Wondering…

Anyone who is able to speak on behalf of your church regarding its participation can register. While the commitment is not overwhelming, in most churches this will be a staff member or lay leader in consultation with church leadership.

You can see that we seek members who are eager — and even called by God — to be engaged with what God is doing in the Network. To that end, we invite you into a process of discernment about your potential participation.

To assist that discernment process, we provide a set of materials and questions for you to review personally and with the appropriate church leaders. Throughout this process, we invite you to keep asking, “Does it seem right to me/us and to the Holy Spirit for our church to participate in the Churches in Renewal Network at this time?” We honor all answers to this question — whether it be yes, no, or not yet.

Once the answer to that question is “yes,” please complete and submit your Registration Packet, and discern together as a church what level of financial contribution is right for you at this time.

The most important way to help influence your church is to be in renewal yourself and to let the goodness and greatness of God’s work in your life overflow naturally on all those around you.

Next, you can share information about the Network with your church’s staff and lay leaders. The Churches in Renewal Network Fact Sheet and these FAQs are a good start.

Most people enter into the Renovaré community through a relationship and/or an experience. We regularly host open online and in-person events for pastors and church leaders.

While not immediately available, we plan to offer an opt-in public-facing directory of all member churches.

Pray! Yes, we know that is a Sunday School answer. But it’s true. Pray that God will lead other churches to join this community.

Then ask God to open your eyes to who may be longing for a deeper communal life with God in your area. As God reveals who is stirring, feel free to invite leaders or congregants to open events so that they can explore what’s happening.

In the meantime, feel free to join other Network activities to get to know people from churches around the country.

At its core, Renovaré seeks to be an all-inclusive community of loving persons gathered in the power and fellowship of the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Renovaré stands within historic Christian orthodoxy and affirms The Apostles’ Creed and The Nicene Creed. Renovaré is Christian in commitment, international in scope, and ecumenical in breadth. We offer ourselves as vessels whereby God brings light to overcome darkness, hope to transform despair, and peace to conquer the violence of our times.

Because Renovaré is not a church, Renovaré does not take a public stance regarding the myriad of societal and doctrinal issues that come and go as culture (including church culture) ebbs and flows. Issues move and change as culture shifts. And Renovaré is respectful of others regarding such matters.

While we welcome all churches to participate in the Churches in Renewal Network, we expect members to model generosity, respect, and humility with the Renovaré team and with their peers in the network.

Learn more about Renovaré here.