Equipping the Called

The CCR has developed the Equipping the Called Leadership Program to help Christian churches cultivate the spiritual formation of congregants and function as anchor institutions that strengthen their local communities. The primary aim and objectives of the program additionally include equipping congregations to extend hospitality to their neighbors, and to function as anchor institutions that strengthen their local communities. This program will address these aims and objectives by:

  1. Providing training and support for ordained and lay leadership
  2. Helping congregations to identify and respond to the challenges and opportunities within their congregations and in their local communities
  3. Equipping rural and small-town churches to serve as anchor institutions and to build collaborations with other organizations in their communities.

The Equipping the Called Leadership Program is a six-month, self-paced, online course designed specifically for clergy and lay leaders serving in rural areas and small-town churches. Grounded in thinking and theological insights, the program equips leaders with the practical tools to nurture spiritual formation, strengthen key relationship, and foster lasting community impact. The content for this program has been developed in partnership with the

The next course dates are 9/1/2026 - 2/1/2027. Registration will open in July of 2026, please refer back to this site for additional information.

Key Collaboration Partners

A key feature of the Rural grant consists of awarding to denominational hubs, educational institutions, and other ministry groups who are positioned to support rural and small-town congregations within their own networks. These key collaborating partners will use their sub-awards for programs in support of rural and small-town ministries such as revitalization efforts with individual churches; financial support for needs-based outreach; educational training for ministry leaders; and walking with those in addiction and their families through the journey of recovery. 

Current collaborating partners include the Alabama Center for Pastoral Resilience, Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBC), Birmingham Catholic Diocese, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Mobile Baptist Network, Selma University, and Unforsaken Ministry.