Over time faith communities develop a sense of their own integrity - why their life has value, what that congregation’s passion is, what it is for them to be whole and complete. 

Each congregation and diocese have their own organizational culture; a mix of deep assumptions, stated values and ways of doing things. That culture is largely grounded in what has worked for that community of faith. There is a wisdom in that way of being.

Parishes and dioceses are also part of, and express, a larger faith tradition -- the Episcopal Church, or Anglican Church of Canada, and Anglicanism as a whole.  That tradition has its own organizational culture that is usually integrated, more or less, within the culture of a particular congregation.

ODCT's approach to congregational development starts with the assumption that the tradition of a parish or diocese is to be respected and used as an essential aspect of a development effort.

Learning New Ways

The context that a congregation or diocese exists within is always changing. And the hopes and dreams of leaders and members change over time.  Parishes and dioceses struggle with how to make needed adaptations to those changes without losing their integrity. 

ODCT assumes that congregations and dioceses have the capacity to discern and act strategically in making the changes needed to survive, improve life and ministry, and better serve people while maintaining and advancing the best of their tradition. 

An Appreciative Process

Parishes and dioceses have within themselves great gifts and wisdom. They have years of experience and successful efforts. All of that needs to be tapped in a improvement effort. We have known for a long time that helping people work with their strengths, the gifts God has given them as a people, and the ways in which they have been successful in the past, is usually the best way to develop a congregation or diocese.

Working Together

The client and consultant work together in the process of assessment, planning and implementation. Each offers their gifts in the work to be done. This working partnership requires strong relationships. We work with clients, not through or around them. We work together in shaping the process and the outcomes of the consultation.

Developing Capacity

Consultations are done with a concern for developing the client's capacity, e.g., ability to solve problems and make effective decisions, increased communication, improved trust level, ability to learn from experience, etc. 

Increased Participation, Empowerment and Collaboration

The consultation is conducted in a manner to both maximize these ways of working during the consultation while providing methods for that to continue after the consultation.