Tim Soerens

Parish Collective connects and resources people of faith in particular neighborhoods to be the church together in the place they live. When we share our stories, connections, and resources in and across parishes it helps weave together neighborhood churches, missional communities, and any group of Christ-followers that desires renewal in their neighborhood. The members of these groups or Parish Initiatives develop postures and practices for becoming present in their neighborhood and participating in what the Spirit is up to there. This means discerning, supporting, and collaborating together on projects that contribute to neighborhood reconciliation and parish renewal

We believe that God is at work all around us, but is the Church? We invite you to gather with us once again as we ask…

In our economy, how do we build and fund local ventures that meet community needs and contribute to human flourishing, as opposed to franchised corporations with no context and organized for maximized profit?

In our civic engagement, how do we learn to make decisions together, as opposed to participating in political culture wars that polarize?

In our education, how do we create communities that are teaching in all contexts of our life together, as opposed to putting more pressure on over-worked teachers?

In our environment, how do we preserve and build durable and livable neighborhoods oriented around community, as opposed to building with individualized and immediate desires driving us?

If we are honest, our story neither begins nor ends with the Church, it begins with God at work and it ends with all places, peoples, systems reconciled and restored. In between, we get to live out our faith in all of our life together. In other words, we get to be the local church.

"When . . . faith communities begin connecting together, in and for the neighborhood, they learn to depend on God for strength to love, forgive and show grace like never before. . . . The gospel becomes so much more tangible and compelling when the local church is actually a part of the community, connected to the struggles of the people, and even the land itself." Paul Sparks, Tim Soerens and Dwight J. Friesen have seen—in cities, suburbs and small towns all over North America—how powerful the gospel can be when it takes root in the context of a place, at the intersection of geography, demography, economy and culture. This is not a new idea—the concept of a parish is as old as Paul's letters to the various communities of the ancient church. But in an age of dislocation and disengagement, the notion of a church that knows its place and gives itself to where it finds itself is like a breath of fresh air, like a sign of new life.

We are a network of heart-centered investors, entrepreneurs, and social impact leaders who believe in an inclusive and socially responsible economy to address the world’s toughest challenges. Since 2008, SOCAP has created a platform where social impact leaders can connect and present their ideas to a global audience. Our annual flagship event in San Francisco is the largest conference for impact investors and social entrepreneurs and has drawn more than 10,000 people. 

Since 2013 Tim has lead the "meaning" track,  and in 2014 lead the meaning and place-based innovation track. 

Accelerating the flow of capital through our neighborhoods

For more go to www.neighborhoodeconomics.org

The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology has partnered with the Parish Collective to bring you The Leadership in the New Parish Certificate, a practitioner think-tank to equip leaders in reimagining missional innovation and church revitalization. We are facilitating an imaginative, collaborative, and transformative process where leaders join together to passionately engage the intersections of God’s story, their personal story, and the story of their particular neighborhood.

All across the UK Christian communities are finding new ways to connect with the particular places they inhabit. Join us for two incredible days to meet fellow practitioners, hear inspiring stories and learn from our collective practices. Together, we hope to discover what God is up to in this emerging grassroots movement growing from neighbourhood to neighbourhood