Resources for Small Congregations
The Iona Collaborative believes small congregations have much to teach the wider Church about God’s vision for its future flourishing. Small communities are ideal laboratories for learning together how to discern shared callings, ways of being in community, and best practices for engaging cooperatively in God’s ongoing mission in our rapidly changing culture.
Below are resources for use in individual or congregational settings. In some cases, our team has found a resource to be beneficial for a retreat-style event. This has been noted below. When using Iona-produced resources in your setting, please attribute creation to Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest. Iona-produced resources are for non-commercial use only.
THRIVING BI-VOCATIONAL CONGREGATIONS
Spring 2025 Workshop
April 3-6, 2025 | Maritime Conference Center
These workshops gather representatives from small and lay-led congregations to train leaders using Iona’s Spiritual Toolkit for Congregations, equipping and empowering faith communities to create change and fulfill their callings in their specific contexts.
asynchronous study
Interesting Characters in Hebrew Scripture
with Dr. Steven Bishop
This 4-session asynchronous course offers video teaching, scripture readings, and reflection questions that work for individual or group study.
Follow along using our CoAssemble platform!
VIDEOS
Strategies for Small/Rural Congregations.
Use this resource as an opening
for a vestry meeting or leadership gathering.
PODCASTS
The Iona Collaborative Podcast Network
Listen on SoundCloud, Apple or Spotify!
Like, Listen, and Subscribe.
BIBLICAL STUDY
SPIRITUALITY
Studies for Individuals & Groups
The Spiritual Journey – COMING SOON!
The Masculine and Feminine Spiritual Journey
Service As a Spiritual Practice
On Earth As It Is In Heaven:
Seeking Spiritual Vision as Christian Practice
CHURCH LEADERSHIP/ADMIN
Studies for Individuals & Groups
The Bi-Vocational Journey Orientation
Discerning a Congregation’s Core Vocation
GREAT FOR RETREATS!
Vocation of All God’s People
GREAT FOR RETREATS!
Videos/Video Series
Beginning in Love, Discerning in Faith:
A Starting Place for Small Churches
Vestry Meeting Opening Meditations (12 Episodes)
Anglicanism/worship
Studies for Individuals & Groups
Using Morning Prayer for Sunday Morning
Worship (English Language) – COMING SOON!
Using Morning Prayer for Sunday Morning
Worship (Spanish Language) – COMING SOON!
Lay Eucharistic Leader Training – COMING SOON!
Videos/Video Series
PREACHING
Podcasts
Preaching Mark in Lectionary Year B (9 Episodes)
Under the Boot or In the Belly? (9 Episodes)
Mark and Luke vs. Empire
CREATION CARE
Podcasts
Gospel Roots of a Deep Green Faith (6 Episodes)
Studies for Individuals & Groups
Gospel Roots of a Deep Green Faith – COMING SOON!
CHURCH HISTORY
Studies for Individuals & Groups
PASTORAL CARE
Videos/Video Series
Theological Conversations (4 Episodes)
