Services
Life in Christ
Reconciliation in Christ
Discipleship in Christ
Relying on the work of the Holy Spirit, ICSM’s services are designed to support individuals, congregations, church leaders, and governing bodies in navigating daily life and ministry in participation with Christ.
Rooted in Scripture, these offerings provide practical tools and guidance for strengthening community, finding support, resolving conflicts, and fostering growth in ministry.
Life in Christ Services
The Well
"[T]he Lord said to Moses, ‘Gather the people together, and I will give them water.’ Then Israel sang this song: ‘Spring up. O well!'” Numbers 21:16b-17a
The Well offers a virtual, faith-based support community to family members, caregivers, and church members who help individuals navigate mental illness or other mental health challenges.
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Well Gatherings offer a space to work through hard faith questions, reduce the veil of isolation, and find support within the Body of Christ. Since Well members have had similar experiences, the Well is a unique place where we understand one another's challenges without having to explain everything.
ICSM holds Well Gatherings virtually every six weeks, usually on Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Registered participants receive an email with a link to join each Well Gathering. There is no cost to attend. Participants maintain confidentiality of personal information shared by others in our Well Gatherings.
All caregivers, family members, pastors, and church members providing care and advocacy for individuals experiencing mental illness or other mental health challenges (such as Alzheimer's or dementia) are invited to attend our virtual Well Gatherings. If this sounds like a community that you have been looking for, we hope you will join the Well.
Well Workshops
ICSM offers Well Workshops for churches and governing bodies to equip pastors, congregations, and church leaders with fresh insights and tools to support family members and caregivers of individuals navigating mental illness.
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Faithful Christians and church leaders often feel uncertain about how to help families dealing with mental health challenges. At the same time, the stigma of mental illness in our culture can lead individuals and caregivers to hide their needs from their church community and suffer in silence.
Recognizing Christ's active ministry with individuals and families navigating mental illness, Well Workshops offer practical insights, education, and ways to nurture and support our brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling to care for an individual with mental illness. Workshops draw on experiences from volunteer family members and caregivers of the Well who offer personal perspectives, share experiences, and provide advice within the framework of the workshop.
Reconciliation in Christ Services
Mediation
ICSM provides facilitated continuing relationship mediation for disputes within churches, parishes, governing bodies, and other Christian groups. ICSM uses an innovative, Christ-centered process that it has developed and refined over more than 15 years of assisting Christians experiencing conflict. Relying on the work of the Spirit, the aim of continuing relationship mediation is for the parties in conflict to refocus on Christ, learn new tools for working through disputes, engage in authentic dialogue, and seek concrete, collaborative solutions together.
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Continuing relationship mediation is appropriate for conflicts among staff members, congregations, church leaders, committees, governing bodies, and other church groups who desire to resolve the issues in dispute and move forward together.
Groups can jointly request a mediation or one party or a governing body can ask ICSM for assistance in starting the process. Mediation is particularly effective when initiated early in a conflict, before tensions escalate.
ICSM Certified Mediation Facilitators complete a rigorous training process and meet initial and annual ICSM certification standards and requirements. ICSM Facilitators work in teams of two on each mediation.
Participation in mediation is always voluntary. ICSM Facilitators work with the mediation participants to establish confidentiality and other ground rules for mediation conferences as part of the process.
Because ICSM's mediation approach looks to Christ at the center of all our relationships, we do not believe effective conflict resolution involves imposed Biblical rules, emotional manipulation, or fostering shame. Rather, utilizing a tailored, multi-phased approach, ICSM seeks to participate with Christ in helping Christians learn new ways of interacting, engage in direct dialogue and collaboration, and be reconciled to one another in Christ.
Conflict Resolution Program Design and Support
ICSM works with governing bodies and denominations to design conflict resolution programs tailored to their specific needs and polity. ICSM also provides continuing support and training for dispute resolution programs administered by governing bodies and denominations.
Interested governing bodies and denominations are invited to contact ICSM for more information.
Discipleship in Christ Services
Leadership Development
ICSM Leadership Development services help church officers, pastors, staff members, and other church leaders grow in guiding congregations effectively, encouraging faithful collaboration, and building cohesive ministerial teams. ICSM provides these services through officer training, leadership retreats and workshops, and other forms of support. All leadership development services are tailored to the specific church or governing body requesting assistance and focus on Christ's presence and activity in our midst.
Church Discernment and Decision-Making
Making Spirit-led decisions is essential for healthy church life, especially in a time of significant change within the Christian landscape. ICSM discernment and decision-making support services help church leaders learn new tools and frameworks for navigating critical choices faithfully and collaboratively.
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ICSM tailors these services to particular church and governing body needs, supporting church leaders in aligning their decisions with Christ's mission and call to participate in His active work of ministry.
Key Focus Areas:
- Discernment Practices: Discover fresh approaches for engaging with the Holy Spirit in discerning God’s will for your congregation or governing body.
- Decision-Making Frameworks: Explore practical approaches to collective decision-making that reflect Christ’s teachings and build consensus.
- Church Culture and Challenges: Understand how church culture impacts decision-making and develop approaches for working through challenges with openness and grace.
ICSM discernment and decision-making services can be provided to church leaders, pastors, governing bodies, congregations, and/or Christian organizations, depending on the goals and needs of the group requesting assistance.
Congregational Engagement
Every congregation has a unique calling in Christ’s ministry, but even the most faithful communities face hurdles. Whether discerning identity, working through conflict, or navigating change, ICSM supports congregations and church leaders in embracing their gifts and renewing their excitement for participation in Christ's work of ministry.
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ICSM's congregational engagement services combine education, discernment, collaboration, and fun.
Key Focus Areas:
- Discerning Church Identity: Explore your congregation’s distinctive gifts and mission and how they align with Christ’s activity in your community.
- Navigating Transitions: Address major changes, such as shifting demographics, leadership transitions, and healing after a conflict, with Spirit-led wisdom and hope.
- Overcoming Stagnation: Find meaningful ways to break through ruts or recurring challenges, looking to Christ to create pathways of renewed energy and purpose.
- Renewing Engagement: Foster a sense of active participation in Christ's work of ministry, as the Spirit reinvigorates members to use their gifts in worship, care, and outreach.
ICSM tailors all congregational engagement services to the church's particular needs and requests. Services may include support for leaders, congregational retreats and workshops, and other events designed to help congregations reflect on their identity, build stronger connections, and move forward in faith with renewed purpose.
