By Joy Shillingsburg
The question that is most commonly asked when I meet with congregations is, “What are other congregations doing?” This instinct reflects our connectional polity as Episcopalians and our human desire for efficiency and collaboration.
The accuracy and depth of my ability to answer this common question increased after reading the applications from almost half of our diocesan congregations as part of the mission proceeds disbursement offering these last two years. The stories told in the applications revealed innovative ministries, common problems and data that could be transformed into connection. The funds from the three phases of the mission proceeds disbursement offering are currently changing physical structures and ministries across the diocese, and the data collected in this process gave birth to
communities of practice.
Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, or a passion about a topic and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis. The framework laid out decades ago by Etienne Wenger in his book, Cultivating Communities of Practice, provided the structure and scaffolding to bring “practitioners” from across the diocese together to share knowledge and build community, and, in turn, increase collaboration and congregational vitality. Dozens of congregations are engaging in food distribution programs, many leaders are thinking about how music can bring vitality to their congregations, and committees are dedicated to innovative outreach and caring for God’s creation. These areas aligned with our five missional priorities seemed like the perfect places to begin communities of practice.
Diocesan Communities of Practice
In November 2025, our first community of practice centered on food distribution launched just as many congregations and communities were feeling the impact of halted SNAP benefits. Ministry leaders from 17 congregations were invited to learn about what a community of practice is, connect with fellow ministry leaders and spend time introducing others to their work. We have met every month since on Zoom and recently gathered for our first in-person meeting at A Place at the Table, Raleigh’s nonprofit pay-what-you-can restaurant. Over lunch, we learned about the innovative way A Place at the Table is connecting neighbors and feeding the hungry.
Each month our conversations are guided by the broader themes of “Pray, Learn, Act, Advocate.” Listening to food distribution ministry leaders grapple with the role of prayer at community dinner/breakfasts, or how the ministry has transformed the prayer life of the congregation, has been a gift to those who participate. Learning about volunteer coordination, training and management from each other was another topic at our community of practice, and the flurry of resources shared between meetings has been life giving. These gatherings are not “bulletin boards” for ministries; they are a place to share knowledge, which Wegner reminds us is very different from information, and this distinction has deepened the connections of the leaders who share similar experiences in very different geographic areas. Leaders of food ministries have committed to visiting each other’s food distribution programs throughout the year, lending resources and building connections.
The community of practice for food distribution met at A Place at the Table, Raleigh’s pay-what-you-can cafe.
A second community of practice that began this year is for innovative liturgical musicians. We are seeking more members to add to the faithful core group. This group is great fun, and their deep dives into very specific topics, questions and skills have left this non-musician far out of her depth! The musicians have had rich conversations about choir training, intergenerational singing and camps, the role of silence during service and how to use secular music to connect to the sacred. Recently, Patrick Fennig from the Association of Anglican Musicians joined our call and shared some great resources about the conference this summer along with industry standards for selection, employment and ministries of church musicians. Communities of practice are structured to share knowledge and record resources for the group to access as the community expands and positions change. In these early stages, as the cultivator, I am recording resources and sharing them in meeting summaries. Building out structures to catalog and share resources is a work in progress. Making space for innovative musicians who are generous with their resources and eager to ask questions has been a great start to a flourishing community of practice.
A third community of practice that gathers each month with the guidance of Bishop Jennifer Brooke-Davidson is for the deans of the Diocese of North Carolina. These monthly calls, which were a time of fellowship and information sharing, is transforming into a more structured community of practice that has been clarifying the important work of the deans to be a resource for the clergy in their convocations and a liaison for the diocese to learn and, in turn, support the ministries of our congregations. The deans are points of contact for new clergy in their convocations and also for congregations in transition between leaders. The deans also convene the clergy in their convocation each month, and they are seeking to build more robust connections between clergy members for personal connections and the good of congregations. This community of practice is beginning the work required to strengthen inter- and intra-convocational relationships and points of connection for enhancing ministries. Introducing the framework of building a community of practice with the deans may become a model for reimagining and strengthening the clericus meetings in our diocese.
The newest community of practice launch is for ministry leaders interested in caring for creation. The Chartered Committee on Environmental Ministry is an active and well-organized team that will be cultivating this group through regular Zoom meetings and yearly in-person gatherings that focus on the domain of knowledge around learning, acting and advocating for environmental care and justice in our congregations. Sharing knowledge and ministry best practices, and building relationships, are keys to living into our five missional priorities as a diocese.
There is so much wisdom in this diocese, and I have the privilege of learning and accompanying congregational leaders in their efforts to build communities, advocate for justice and do the liberating work of being a disciple of Jesus. Cultivating these communities of practice will amplify the work that is already happening across our diocese. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe frequently speaks about his vision for the work of dioceses as crucial hubs for supporting on-the-ground ministry, fostering local grassroots networks and engaging in evangelism. Communities of practice live into that vision. Building and expanding communities of practice that connect our congregations and build a body of knowledge will help all of us live into our missional priorities and answer the question of “what are other congregations doing” to build God’s Kingdom on earth?
Connect with Communities of Practice
Interested in connecting with others who share your interest or ministry area? For more information about existing communities of practice or to share an idea for a new community of practice, contact Joy Shillingsburg to share your thoughts and discuss the possibility.
Explore the open communities for our missional priorities in the Beloved Community on Circle; they may just be the foundation of a future community of practice. Join the Beloved Community.
________________________________________________
Joy Shillingsburg is the mission strategy coordinator for the Diocese of North Carolina.
