Our next stage
LINK Chattanooga
Leveraging Interconnected Networks for Kingdom-Building
Over four years, LINK will engage 30 to 45 Chattanooga congregations in three annual cohorts. Each church spends 12 months in training, coaching, and planning, then joins others on a project for its neighborhood.
30–45
congregations
3
annual cohorts of 10–15
12
months per congregation
4
years, start to finish
Why LINK, why now
The trust is built. Now we scale it.
Kingdom Partners has spent years building trust among more than 150 Chattanooga churches. That trust has produced affordable housing on church land, after-school literacy in a Title I school, 300 funded mentors, and $2.55 million in city investment.
LINK takes what worked in Charity to Change and Tend Fold and brings it to more congregations, with a clear structure and an evaluation built in from day one.
[Photo: housing project]
The 12-month experience
How a congregation's year unfolds
M1
M2
M3
M4
M5
M6
M7
M8
M9
M10
M11
M12
City Engagement Training · Monthly two-hour sessions
Coaching & mobilization · Executive coaching, congregational learning, strategic planning, calling discernment
Demonstration project · All-day kickoff, then build
After month 12, alumni congregations are invited to keep meeting. Our Charity to Change churches have stayed connected, and their projects needed continued planning.
Six integrated components
What every congregation receives
01
Monthly City Engagement Training
Led by the LINK program director with Kingdom Partners staff and contracted faculty: the theology of community engagement, case studies of congregations that grew through it, and practical tools.
02
Executive Coaching
Every pastor and lay leader meets at least monthly with a seasoned corporate executive on communication, team culture, conflict, innovation, transitions, and strategy.
03
Congregational Learning & Mobilization
Monthly assignments carry the learning to the whole church: asset mapping, a church-wide Bible study, a sermon series, and print and online communications.
04
Strategic Planning
A faith-based strategic plan for each church, grounded in its core values. “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)
05
Purpose & Calling Discernment
A Purpose/Calling team helps members discover their calling through Scripture and leave with a clear statement of purpose.
06
Collaborative Demonstration Project
Cohorts identify a community challenge and spend four months planning and carrying out a contextual response together.
Expected outcomes
Stronger churches, a stronger city
We measure each outcome with pre- and post-surveys, and each year's results shape the next cohort.
See the evaluation design →1
Congregations better understand their neighborhoods' social and cultural context and feel more connected to their city.
2
Churches collaborate with one another and with other institutions to plan and carry out responses to local challenges.
3
Pastors and lay leaders gain the capacity to manage, support, and guide their congregations.
Common questions
Who can participate?
Chattanooga-area congregations of any tradition that send a team of pastoral staff and lay leaders.
When does the first cohort begin?
[Add once funding and dates are confirmed]
How is LINK different from Tend Fold?
Tend Fold focuses on leadership development for pastors and lay leaders. LINK adds congregation-wide mobilization, strategic planning, calling discernment, and a shared demonstration project, across many more churches.
How is LINK funded?
Kingdom Partners is seeking funding to launch LINK Chattanooga. Funders can find the full plan on our Funders & Grants page.
Lead a congregation?
Tell us about your church and we'll keep you informed as LINK cohorts form.
Express interestLead a business?
LINK needs executives to coach pastors and teach sessions. Your experience makes the difference.
Volunteer as a coach