November 5, 2026
Not Just on Sunday
Lonetta McKee
Ministries & Organizations
Independent Christian Church
Independent Christian Church Cohorts connects cohort-based networks and training groups that bring together leaders and teams from Independent Christian Churches for shared learning, coaching, and ministry development. These cohorts often serve pastors, elders, ministry staff, and church planters through peer learning communities, guided discussions, leadership training, practical tools, accountability, and ongoing support—helping churches grow healthier and more effective in their mission.
5 organizations
AllMissionsIndependent Christian ChurchEducationConferencesChurch of ChristConsultingPublishingChurch Planting OrganizationCohorts
CohortsConnections Recovery NetworkConnections Recovery Network equips churches to develop Jesus-centered recovery ministries through launch resources, Scripture-based curriculum, leadership…Cohorts · Independent Christian Church
Connections Recovery Network
Connections Recovery Network — Organization Profile Connections Recovery Network (CRN) is a Christian recovery-ministry network that equips local churches to launch and sustain recovery ministries centered on discipleship, relationships, and Jesus. The network grew out of the recovery ministry at…
Connections Recovery Network — Organization Profile Connections Recovery Network (CRN) is a Christian recovery-ministry network that equips local churches to launch and sustain recovery ministries centered on discipleship, relationships, and Jesus. The network grew out of the recovery ministry at Mt. Gilead Church in Mooresville, Indiana, where church leaders developed a ministry culture for walking alongside people affected by addiction and supporting their movement toward recovery and spiritual growth. CRN takes that experience and shares it with other congregations through a church-to-church, practitioner-to-practitioner model. Rather than asking participating congregations to adopt a centrally controlled or franchised ministry, CRN emphasizes local church ownership of recovery ministry. Its approach is built around ten distinctives: Jesus Is Our Solution, Grace Over Shame, Truth…
Connections Recovery Network — Organization Profile
Connections Recovery Network (CRN) is a Christian recovery-ministry network that equips local churches to launch and sustain recovery ministries centered on discipleship, relationships, and Jesus. The network grew out of the recovery ministry at Mt. Gilead Church in Mooresville, Indiana, where church leaders developed a ministry culture for walking alongside people affected by addiction and supporting their movement toward recovery and spiritual growth. CRN takes that experience and shares it with other congregations through a church-to-church, practitioner-to-practitioner model.
Rather than asking participating congregations to adopt a centrally controlled or franchised ministry, CRN emphasizes local church ownership of recovery ministry. Its approach is built around ten distinctives: Jesus Is Our Solution, Grace Over Shame, Truth With Love, Authenticity Over Image, Progress Not Perfection, Community Is Essential, Confidentiality Builds Trust, Servant Leadership, Multiplication Matters, and Hope Is Louder. Together, these principles shape how participating churches develop groups, train leaders, create environments for honest relationships, and connect recovery with Christian discipleship.
Connections Recovery Network serves churches seeking to establish or strengthen recovery ministry in their own communities. Its model was developed in Mooresville, Indiana, but the network is designed for churches beyond that local setting and states that churches of different sizes can participate. CRN says it partners with churches that identify Jesus as Lord and are serious about recovery, while emphasizing unity rather than requiring every participating congregation to operate identically. The goal is to help churches develop ministry that fits their community while retaining the network's core recovery and discipleship culture.
Churches joining the network receive several practical resources. CRN provides a 90-Day Launch Resource that covers steps from recruiting leaders through holding an initial recovery meeting. Participating churches also receive one year of Scripture-based meeting curriculum organized around themes including identity, inventory, community, and freedom. A further component is one year of leadership development and coaching, designed to help churches develop healthy recovery-ministry leaders who can eventually train and support others. CRN describes its approach as practitioner-led, meaning churches learn from people with experience operating recovery ministry rather than primarily from outside consultants.
The process for churches begins by contacting Connections Recovery Network and explaining their congregation's current situation and interest in recovery ministry. A CRN practitioner then schedules a conversation to learn about the church, answer questions, and determine whether the network is an appropriate fit. Churches that move forward as Founding Churches begin using the launch resources, curriculum, coaching, and practitioner community. Through this process, CRN seeks to help congregations create relational, reproducible recovery ministries that connect recovery with ongoing discipleship in Jesus.
Key Links
Contact Information
Socials
Leadership
Leadership: Not publicly listed.
CohortsCovenant Connection Soul Care GroupsCovenant Connections for Pastors, Inc. connects pastors and ministry staff in confidential soul care covenant groups,…Cohorts · Independent Christian Church
Covenant Connection Soul Care Groups
Covenant Connections for Pastors — Organization Profile Covenant Connections for Pastors, Inc. is a ministry that connects pastors and ministry staff in soul care covenant groups designed for candid, confidential community. The organization’s stated mission is to foster fellowship, mutual…
Covenant Connections for Pastors — Organization Profile Covenant Connections for Pastors, Inc. is a ministry that connects pastors and ministry staff in soul care covenant groups designed for candid, confidential community. The organization’s stated mission is to foster fellowship, mutual support, and spiritual growth among pastors and ministry staff—especially within the Restoration Movement—through biblical unity, mutual accountability, and shared mission. Its vision emphasizes “intentional, disciplined communities” where leaders develop “soul strength” and help one another serve well and finish well. Covenant Connections operates from Carmel, Indiana, and serves ministry leaders across the United States through a model that blends in-person and virtual connection. The organization describes covenant groups as a healthy community where members commit to one another’s long-term well-being,…
Covenant Connections for Pastors — Organization Profile
Covenant Connections for Pastors, Inc. is a ministry that connects pastors and ministry staff in soul care covenant groups designed for candid, confidential community. The organization’s stated mission is to foster fellowship, mutual support, and spiritual growth among pastors and ministry staff—especially within the Restoration Movement—through biblical unity, mutual accountability, and shared mission. Its vision emphasizes “intentional, disciplined communities” where leaders develop “soul strength” and help one another serve well and finish well.
Covenant Connections operates from Carmel, Indiana, and serves ministry leaders across the United States through a model that blends in-person and virtual connection. The organization describes covenant groups as a healthy community where members commit to one another’s long-term well-being, making space to process both the “hard hits” and “heart hits” leaders carry. This approach is built for depth and trust over time rather than quick-fix support.
At the core of the ministry are three-year covenant groups. Participants gather for two in-person retreats each year and also meet virtually (one video meeting per month), creating a consistent rhythm of connection and encouragement. The group fee is set for the full three-year cycle; the site lists a 2026 group fee of $2,500 (with scholarship eligibility available by request). Covenant Connections also notes that participants cover their own travel, meals, and lodging associated with retreats.
Covenant Connections places special weight on the role of trained covenant group facilitators, describing the facilitator as a crucial element of the ministry. Alongside group leadership development, the organization offers a prayer-focused dimension through its prayer ministry, which aims to support pastors and pastoral staff through coordinated prayer and prayer teams. The site also provides resources connected to its soul-care emphasis, including the book Soul Strength by Dr. Alan Ahlgrim and a companion Discovery Journal designed to help readers engage the principles more deeply.
People can engage with Covenant Connections by registering for a group, connecting through the contact form, giving financially through the ministry’s donation options, and participating in or supporting the prayer ministry (including submitting prayer requests and subscribing to the monthly prayer letter). For churches and leaders seeking long-haul resilience, Covenant Connections presents covenant groups as a structured, relationship-centered way to pursue spiritual and emotional health while continuing to serve faithfully.
Key Links
Contact Information
Socials
Leadership
CohortsCovenant GroupsCovenant Groups is a men’s discipleship initiative using small-group covenant friendships and the Covenant Group Discipleship…Cohorts · Independent Christian Church
Covenant Groups
Covenant Groups — Organization Profile Covenant Groups is a discipleship initiative focused on helping men grow spiritually through two core practices: walking daily with God in His Word and walking deeply with other men in honest, accountable relationships. The ministry…
Covenant Groups — Organization Profile Covenant Groups is a discipleship initiative focused on helping men grow spiritually through two core practices: walking daily with God in His Word and walking deeply with other men in honest, accountable relationships. The ministry frames this approach as a shift away from discipleship that is primarily program- or curriculum-driven and toward training in lifelong habits that shape character and obedience. At the center of the Covenant Groups model is the belief that spiritual maturity is best nurtured in secure relationships—both with Jesus and with faithful brothers. Covenant Groups describes its small-group environment as “highly relational,” where men pursue maturity through shared honesty, encouragement, prayer, confidentiality, and voluntary accountability. Group leaders function as facilitators who…
Covenant Groups — Organization Profile
Covenant Groups is a discipleship initiative focused on helping men grow spiritually through two core practices: walking daily with God in His Word and walking deeply with other men in honest, accountable relationships. The ministry frames this approach as a shift away from discipleship that is primarily program- or curriculum-driven and toward training in lifelong habits that shape character and obedience.
At the center of the Covenant Groups model is the belief that spiritual maturity is best nurtured in secure relationships—both with Jesus and with faithful brothers. Covenant Groups describes its small-group environment as “highly relational,” where men pursue maturity through shared honesty, encouragement, prayer, confidentiality, and voluntary accountability. Group leaders function as facilitators who model faithfulness and care, helping the group stay focused on the commitments members make to one another.
To support consistent spiritual formation, Covenant Groups provides a structured set of tools called the Covenant Group Discipleship Series. The series is organized into training journals designed to develop devotional habits and spiritual disciplines alongside foundational Scripture. The journals are arranged in the Adventure Series (Journals 1–3) and the Challenge Series (Journals 4–6), with companion journals that can supplement either series. Covenant Groups notes that each journal is commonly structured around a roughly 12-week pace, making them practical for churches or ministries that want a repeatable discipleship rhythm.
A central “life skill” in the series is the daily Appointment With God (AWG)—a pattern of Scripture reading, reflection, application, and prayer. Covenant Groups pairs that daily rhythm with weekly meetings, where men share what they are learning, apply Scripture in real life, and support one another through encouragement and prayer. The goal is not simply accumulating information, but training in habits that sustain spiritual growth over the long haul.
Covenant Groups also provides guidance for ministry leaders who want to integrate this approach into an intentional discipleship pathway. The ministry encourages leaders to clarify a memorable discipleship “profile,” understand where men are in the discipleship process, and then choose tools that fit those needs. In that context, the Covenant Group journals function as a pathway for “growing disciples” who want to strengthen their walk with Christ through disciplined habits and covenant friendships.
For individuals and churches, engagement options are straightforward and evergreen: start or join a covenant group, use the journals as a structured discipleship plan, and reach out for training or ministry planning support. The ministry also invites partners to support the work financially, noting that giving helps expand opportunities to equip men in these practices.
Key Links
Contact Information
Socials
Leadership
CohortsRDN Shift GroupsRDN SHIFT Groups are small, online coaching cohorts led by proven disciple-making pastors, helping church leaders…Cohorts · Independent Christian Church
RDN Shift Groups
RDN SHIFT Groups — Organization Profile RDN SHIFT Groups are a coaching-based, online community built by the Relational Discipleship Network (RDN), a missions organization focused on helping churches recover and live out disciple-making as Jesus modeled it. SHIFT Groups are…
RDN SHIFT Groups — Organization Profile RDN SHIFT Groups are a coaching-based, online community built by the Relational Discipleship Network (RDN), a missions organization focused on helping churches recover and live out disciple-making as Jesus modeled it. SHIFT Groups are designed for pastors and ministry leaders who want practical support as they work to lead cultural change toward relational disciple-making in their churches. At the core of SHIFT Groups is a simple premise: you’re not meant to do ministry alone, especially when you are trying to shift a church from program-centered activity to relationship-centered disciple-making. RDN describes SHIFT Groups as online groups led by proven disciple-making coaches, where leaders gain practical tools and resources while also building strategic relationships with…
RDN SHIFT Groups — Organization Profile
RDN SHIFT Groups are a coaching-based, online community built by the Relational Discipleship Network (RDN), a missions organization focused on helping churches recover and live out disciple-making as Jesus modeled it. SHIFT Groups are designed for pastors and ministry leaders who want practical support as they work to lead cultural change toward relational disciple-making in their churches.
At the core of SHIFT Groups is a simple premise: you’re not meant to do ministry alone, especially when you are trying to shift a church from program-centered activity to relationship-centered disciple-making. RDN describes SHIFT Groups as online groups led by proven disciple-making coaches, where leaders gain practical tools and resources while also building strategic relationships with other leaders.
SHIFT Groups meet in a consistent rhythm that emphasizes peer learning and coached accountability. RDN outlines a coaching format using live, interactive Zoom meetings with small group sizes, typically 4–6 leaders, led by pastors who have already made the “shift” in their own ministry settings. These sessions are structured to help leaders talk through real ministry challenges, share tools, learn best practices, and move from ideas to implementation.
RDN also frames SHIFT Groups as role-specific pathways. In its coaching overview, RDN notes that SHIFT Groups are designed for a range of ministry roles—senior pastors, executive/associate pastors, discipleship and small group leaders, youth and young adult pastors, and other ministry leaders—so the conversations and coaching can be applied directly to the responsibilities leaders carry week to week.
An important part of the SHIFT Groups model is that it is connected to RDN’s broader training ecosystem. RDN notes a prerequisite for joining a SHIFT Group: participants should have attended a DiscipleShift training (or be registered to attend). That link between training and coaching reinforces RDN’s intent to move leaders from an initial learning experience into an ongoing coaching relationship where change can be supported over time.
Because SHIFT Groups operate online, their reach is nationwide, connecting leaders across churches and regions without requiring travel. RDN’s team leadership includes staff members who serve from different locations, and the coaching environment is intentionally built to foster connection across geographic boundaries while keeping the group small enough for trust, transparency, and application.
For churches and leaders who want to engage, SHIFT Groups can be a practical “next step” after training: register for DiscipleShift, join a SHIFT coaching group, and access RDN resources that support disciple-making culture change. Churches can also partner with RDN financially to expand coaching and resourcing for leaders who are working to build relational disciple-making pathways in their contexts.
Key Links
Contact Information
Socials
Leadership
CohortsRENEW.org Learning CommunitiesRENEW.org Learning Communities are invitation-based cohorts for senior leaders, meeting in bi-monthly rhythms for focused study,…Cohorts · Independent Christian Church
RENEW.org Learning Communities
RENEW.org Learning Communities — Organization Profile RENEW.org Learning Communities are small, leader-focused cohorts within the RENEW.org Network, created to help senior church and ministry leaders grow in disciple making through relational learning. RENEW.org frames these communities as a place where…
RENEW.org Learning Communities — Organization Profile RENEW.org Learning Communities are small, leader-focused cohorts within the RENEW.org Network, created to help senior church and ministry leaders grow in disciple making through relational learning. RENEW.org frames these communities as a place where leaders connect, learn, and sharpen both character and ministry practice while staying anchored in the teachings of Jesus. Learning Communities address a common challenge for ministry leaders: isolation. RENEW.org describes the experience as a trusted circle of peers where ministers under pressure can find encouragement, practical counsel, and accountability rather than carrying complex leadership burdens alone. The emphasis is not simply on information transfer, but on relationships that support faithfulness and perseverance in long-term ministry. A key element of the…
RENEW.org Learning Communities — Organization Profile
RENEW.org Learning Communities are small, leader-focused cohorts within the RENEW.org Network, created to help senior church and ministry leaders grow in disciple making through relational learning. RENEW.org frames these communities as a place where leaders connect, learn, and sharpen both character and ministry practice while staying anchored in the teachings of Jesus.
Learning Communities address a common challenge for ministry leaders: isolation. RENEW.org describes the experience as a trusted circle of peers where ministers under pressure can find encouragement, practical counsel, and accountability rather than carrying complex leadership burdens alone. The emphasis is not simply on information transfer, but on relationships that support faithfulness and perseverance in long-term ministry.
A key element of the Learning Communities model is a consistent rhythm of interaction. RENEW.org describes these groups as bi-monthly cohorts in which leaders invest five focused hours of study, prayer, and discussion. The goal is to cultivate leaders who can renew Jesus’ teachings in their own lives and in the culture of their churches—especially as they work to build healthier disciple-making pathways.
RENEW.org also positions Learning Communities as part of its wider online events ecosystem. Learning Community sessions function as live, interactive gatherings (typically accessed through a RENEW.org account), allowing leaders from different places to participate without the demands of travel. This online structure expands access while preserving the small-group focus that makes peer learning and honest discussion possible.
Participation in a Learning Community is invitation-based. RENEW.org notes that these communities are intended for senior leaders (or point leaders of a ministry), and those who are unsure about fit are encouraged to reach out to RENEW.org to connect with a leader or Regional Director. This helps keep cohorts aligned around shared leadership responsibilities and the kinds of challenges that senior leaders uniquely face.
For churches, Learning Communities can be a practical way to invest in leadership development over time. Leaders can engage by joining a cohort, applying what they learn with their leadership teams, and using RENEW.org resources to reinforce disciple-making clarity. Supporters can also strengthen this work by partnering financially with RENEW.org, helping expand resourcing and coaching that equips leaders to renew Jesus’ teachings and pursue disciple making with faithfulness and endurance.
