FOR CHURCH MINISTRY LEADERS
ONBOARDING class
In this Onboarding Class, you will learn the ins and outs of Communities on Mission. Through 5 lessons, which you can work through in your group, or at your own pace, we will teach you everything you need to know to launch and lead a Community on Mission.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?
You will understand and appreciate the bigger WHY behind Communities on Mission while at the same time get a step-by-step guide to help you launch and lead a Community on Mission.
The class consists of 6 videos and 13 supporting documents.
WHO IS THE CLASS FOR?
This Class is for church ministry leaders or other lay people who are looking for ways to engage the community around them and re-engage those within their churches who are no longer interested in ‘church as usual.’
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
There are three things regarding Communities on Mission that really stand out to me: First, it closes the gap between heaven and earth where ministry and life become truly incarnational. I love the fact that it really blends compassion with evangelism which makes ministry and life transformational. And the third thing that really stands out to me, and I appreciate the most, are the discipleship balloons, where discipleship is dynamic and transformative, not always linear and static.
Matt PriceChurch Planting Missionary 
I have observed an increasing desire for my people to integrate the Faith they express on Sundays through the rest of week. I believe Communities on Mission will help our people discover purpose and mobilize to bring God’s Kingdom close. I can’t wait to lean into more discussions and learn more from the passionate and knowledgeable staff.
J.P. VanDalsemPastor 
Often in the church world, the question of how we help our congregation participate in God's mission can seem complex and impractical. Where should one start? Communities on Mission give leaders a tangible method and helpful structure to mobilize their people to be active in their neighborhood or city. The simplicity and clarity of the vision of Communities on Mission is an invaluable tool for any pastor seeking to lead their people to take part in God's "Heaven on Earth" project.
Danny AtkinsPastor 
In my pastoral experience, I find that the vast majority of people today are either struggling with loneliness, walking through life without a purpose or both. Communities on Mission not only beautifully reflect God’s communal and sending nature, they also provide an answer to both of these needs. I believe that, in providing a space for real and honest connection as well as being on mission together, Communities on Mission can contribute to creating holistically healthier cities as God intended them.
Eric SmithPastor 
topics covered in the ONBOARDING class
- You will understand the bigger WHY behind Communities on Mission. (It is true in any area of our lives: If we don’t know the bigger WHY, we will get frustrated and burn out.)
- You will learn how to set up the structure of Communities on Mission so that true impact and multiplication can take place.
- Through this class, you will get a clear action plan on how to start and lead a Community on Mission in your local context.
- We will help you set up the leadership structure for your Communities on Mission and explain in detail the difference between a “Community Leader” and a “Mission Leader” and outline why both are important.
- We will introduce you to a tool that helps you assess the spiritual journey of the people in your Community on Mission and outlines the next steps on their discipleship journey (this will help guide you through leading people in a spiritual process).
- You will also receive a prayer structure on how to best pray for your people in your Community on Mission.
- You will receive 6 videos and 13 supporting documents that you can download as reference material for later use.
MEET YOUR team
Dr. Philip Zimmermann
Founder Church in Action
Dr. Philip Zimmerman is the co-founder and pastor of Church in Action. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, Philip is known for strategic thinking and creative problem solving. He is a social entrepreneur, pastor and church planter who has started and led many churches, non-profits, and businesses.
Philip received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from European Nazarene College, a Masters of Arts in Spiritual Formation from Northwest Nazarene University, a Doctorate of Strategic Leadership from Regent University, and is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. When he is able, Philip teaches university courses in leadership and spiritual formation and speaks at leadership conferences around the globe. Philip has written two books: Problem Solving and Creativity and Time Management.
He loves to read in coffee shops, is working on his golf game to become a single-digit handicap, and his exclamation of choice when cut off while driving is “Aardvark” (yes, he means the animal).
Personal Motto: If you have a problem, solve it. If you cannot solve it, give it to God.
Dr. David Sharpes
Director of the Center for Applied Learning
Dr. David Sharpes has been a local church pastor and district superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene since 1989, serving from Philadelphia to Phoenix and a couple of points between. He married Carol on June 15, 1985. They have two children, Jonathan, his wife Katelyn, and son Campbell, who live in Nashville, TN, and a daughter, Hannah that lives in Olathe, KS.
Dave is a graduate of Mid-America Nazarene University, Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. His passion is to join the activity of Jesus in the world, bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to this earth. Currently, Dave is a Professor of Evangelism and Christian Witness and Director of Praxis at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City.
Personal Motto: (With God) It’s never too late to dream a new dream or imagine a new destination.
Dr. Jim G Cooper
Head Coach of the Center for Applied Learning
Dr. Jim Cooper has served as youth pastor, lead pastor, global missionary, and District Superintendent both in Brazil and the United States. His most recent pastoral assignment was 13 years as Lead Pastor for The Point~Church of the Nazarene in San Jose, CA. The Point was an innovative response to ministry in a city with 53 language groups and no majority population. The Point effectively functioned with seven language-based congregations and 22 nationalities.
An advocate of Kingdom impact through church health and missional church focus, Jim has participated in some of the most effective local church experiences. He resonates with the statement of Catherine Booth, “There is no changing the future without disturbing the present”.
Jim’s years of formal preparation focused on Political Science, Sociology, Old Testament, Theology and Parish Ministry. He received his AB in Sociology and MA in Old Testament from Southern Nazarene University, Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary and Doctor of Ministry from Phillips Graduate Seminary.
Jim resides in Oklahoma City with his wife, Betty (Pittenger), and enjoys his California family: daughter Kristan, son-in-law Mike and five grandchildren.
Personal Motto: Humankind’s most binding prison is self-focus; but thanks be to God, Christ sets prisoner’s free!
Ed Dean
Director of Church in Action USA
Ed Dean is the Director of Church in Action USA. Born in Cincinnati, OH, Ed spent the first 27 years of his carreer in Sales and Marketing as the Senior VP of Sales for Westinghouse Lighting and seven years as the Senior VP of Marketing for Dorman Products. In 2004, Ed left the marketplace to serve as an executive pastor and has served at three churches.
Ed has a degree in Sales and Marketing from Cincinnati State Technical College, Graduate School of Sales and Marketing Certificate from Syracuse University, and is an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene. Ed is also a certified church consultant and has a Certification in Spiritual Direction.
Ed and his wife Vickie live in Phoenix and have two adult children: Kristopher, and his wife Samantha, located in Queens, NYC; and Kelsey, located in Phoenix. Ed enjoys being an instigator of challenge , and great food, including Skyline Chili and Gates BBQ.
Personal Motto: “The root of all our personal and emotional difficulties is a lack of togetherness…” – Dr Larry Crabb
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