The team at CPR came to us when we were truly at a crossroads.  Other efforts of revitalizing our small congregation had felt like "trial and error" -- mostly error.  Our core leadership was fatigued and we were truly wondering if our church had a future.  When Mike sat down with us he helped us identify our assets, our challenges, and most importantly, he gave us hope that God was present in our efforts.  He took the mystery out of church growth with the simple, yet challenging, mandate: get them to come, get them to come back, get them to stay.  He invited us to see our work as "ministry" not "management" and to remind people of our ultimate purpose: not to support a building, but to be a vital member of the body of Christ.  With practical advice on worship excellence, branding and stewardship, CPR helped us find our voice as a boldly progressive congregation.  Over the past six months our worship attendance has grown by 25% and the energy level of the congregation and leadership has risen dramatically as well.  We still have much work to do, but now we can envision a future with hope.

Rev. Ann Ralosky
Senior Minister, First Congregational Church, Montclair, NJ.