Cultivating Communities

Rooted Churches Embodying the Way of Jesus

At the Unique Intersection of Theology and Practice

Our mission is to help congregations deepen their life together, develop a robust and holistic witness to the gospel of Jesus, and make significant contributions to the flourishing of their place. Through events, publishing, community development, and customized learning journeys, we are deepening conversations and practices around what makes for a thriving congregation.

We believe church matters in the world, while recognizing that Christians in America are looking for alternatives to how churches have functioned.

Learn more about what we believe

Cultivating Communities was launched in 2021 by the Englewood Community Development Corporation and Englewood Christian Church (Indianapolis).

We are a growing network of congregations and partner organizations that don’t just talk about place—but live in deep relationship with it. Our hope is for churches to be formed not by trends or scarcity, but by embodied faith, sustained formation, and a liberating freedom to act in faithful presence.

Learn more about us

Geography matters. Place matters to God. From a specific place the disciples will move forward into the world. To go from place to place is to go from people to people and to go from an old identity to a new one. Jesus prepares them for the journey by holding them in a place where the Spirit will be given to them in that place, and from that place they will be changed.

Willie James Jennings

Our Work

Learning Journey

We love to connect with congregations who are eager to cultivate a more robust theology and praxis around congregational life and community flourishing.

From 2020-2025, this work was done in cohorts of churches around the country. Now, we do this work individually with interested congregations, creating a custom learning journey informed by your church’s gifts and desires.

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person leading a group gathering writing on a white paper

Publishing

Through The Englewood Review of Books, Englewood Press, and the Cultivating Communities Substack, we are making space for reflection and conversation about what makes for a thriving church. We believe in Reading for the Common Good.

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cover of the book "the form of the word" by stephen e. fowl

Events

We love connecting with congregations in the midwest and beyond! Join us for a conference, asset mapping workshop, or other event. We also have a roster of speakers who are available to share more with your congregation.

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group of people at a cultivating communities event

“The experience enabled us to assemble a team to exchange ideas and methods with congregations across the city. It also gave our team the necessary resources and information to encourage and train us to grow our ability to serve the westside of Indianapolis.”

Ron, Chapel Rock Christian Church (Indianapolis, IN)

“It has been a privilege to partner with ECDC/Cultivating Communities over the past several years as we work together to strengthen our neighborhoods. Their team consistently provides valuable resources, meaningful collaboration, and a genuine commitment to engaging us in important community conversations. They offer thoughtful strategies and practical support that continue to drive positive change throughout our city.”

Rev. Dr. Reginald B. Fletcher, Living Word Baptist Church (Indianapolis, IN)

“The cohort was full of gifts, both for myself and for our congregation, but the greatest of those gifts was the work the presenters put into their talks and exercises, specifically in how they made accessible so many ideas that are fundamentally challenging to the way we have been taught to consider ourselves in relation to fellow congregants and neighbors. The ideas and suggestions made in the readings and presentations required an expanded imagination for many of us, and the presenters met the moment in making that possible.”

Andrew Sheppard, Lone Oak Christian Church (Johnson City, TN)