www.cucr.org
danbonner(at)cucr.org
Contact Information: The Center for Urban Congregational Renewal 501 Dove Hollow Trail Georgetown, TX 78628-4994 877-244-8773

Mission:
The CUCR mission is to help congregations grow through change.

The Center for Urban Congregational Renewal can help you:

• Propel your church beyond drift to inclusive growth
• Plan your church's future with the interactive help of nationally respected leaders in urban renewal
• Utilize church conflict to claim a new vision for making disciples
• Multiply ministries by mobilizing more of the spiritual gifts your members possess

Consultation Approach:
The CUCR approach to urban church renewal includes:

• Utilizing conflict as a means of grace leading to creative change
• Revising existing congregational goals and structures in light of effective examples from around the world
• Starting new discipling groups specifically for non-members who now live in the church's service area while honoring the commitments and values of your current faithful members
• Refocusing the role of the pastor as the coach of lay ministry multiplication
• Developing mission and justice ministries which create direct and mutually respectful involvement of the congregation in the lives of those in its service area
• Creatively engaging denominational leaders regarding pastoral placements

Fees:
All fees are based on your church's ability to pay.

President and Urban Strategist Dan Bonner:
Dan brings 29 years of pastoral experience in five inclusive urban congregations to his consulting practice. All five churches experienced dramatic renewal and growth in membership, worship attendance, small groups, giving, and community engagement during his pastoral tenure. More than four thousand five hundred persons, many of ethnic, economic, or lifestyle identities different than the majority of the host congregation, made first-time Christian commitments in these congregations during Dr. Bonner’s pastoral service. In 2002 Bonner was named Adjunct Professor of Urban Evangelism at Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, KS. In 2003, he became Easum, Bandy, and Associates’ preferred consultant for urban congregations. His writings on inclusive church planning and lay training are used by many involved in urban congregational renewal. He speaks, preaches, and teaches often in pastors schools and conferences across the country. Born and raised in Sulphur Springs, Texas, Dr. Bonner’s education includes Yale University (B.A., M.Div., S.T.M.), Boston University (D.Min.), in the fellowship of homeless persons in Kansas City, MO (reStart and LINC), and in the diverse homes, work places, and gathering spots of those who seek hope in the cities of North America.

National Teaching Colleague Network

 

Sue Bonner	Training Laypersons to Use Their Spiritual Gifts CUCR, Georgetown, TX
Bishoop Minerva Carcano	Hispanic Congregational Development The United Methodist Church
Dr. Emanuel Cleaver, II	Inclusive Congregational Development St. James UMC and former mayer of Kansas City, MO
Bill Easum	Innovative Congregational Planning Easum Bandy and Associates www.easumbandy.com
Maggie Finefrock	Diversity Training The Learning Project, Kansas City MO
Dr. Carolyn Gordon	Communicating the Gospel Across Cultural Barriers Central Baptist Theologial Seminary, Kansas City, KS
Rev. Tyrone Gordon	African American Congregational Renewal St. Luke's Community UMC, Dallas TX
Dr. Zan Holmes	Preaching for Spiritual Renewal and Justice Los Angeles, CA
Fr. Paul Jones	Spiritual Formation for Justice and Liberation The Hermitage and Order of St. Benedict, Pittsburg MO
Rev. Ed Kyle	Cooperative Parish Development Iowa Annual Conference, United Methodist Church
Dr. Tex Sample	Understanding the Needs and Preferences of Outsiders Scottsdale, AZ
Dr. Dianne Smith	Urban Partnerships with Congregations and Families University of Missouri at Kansas City MO
Bishop Dan E. Solomon	Administration for Disciple-Making in the Vital Congregation The United Methodist Church
Dr. Phyllis Tyler	The Art of Listening For God in the Voices of Our Neighbors Saga Granada Park UMC, California-Nevada Annual Conference
Dr. David Lowes Watson	Renewal Through Accountable Groups Tennessee Center for Pastoral Formation, Nashville TN
Dr. Cecil Williams	Inclusive Church Renewal on the Urban Margins Glide Memorial Church, San Francisco CA
Rev. Virgilio Vazquez-Garza	Planning House Churches for Spanish Speaking Newcomers San Antonio District Superintendent, Southwest Texas Annual Conference UMC

Comments:

"When I think about reorienting the urban congregation to welcome folks who are different in their neighborhoods, I first think about Dan Bonner's proven and tested approaches. I work closely with him and the CUCR because I believe he knows how to make our city churches houses of hope for all people."

Rev. Emmanuel Cleaver II, St. James UMC and former Mayor of Kansas City MO.

"Dan Bonner led our church from confusion to consensus when he led our strategic planning process. Many of our leaders went in very skeptical about our future. Now we are receiving new neighbors in our church almost every Sunday! The CUCR's caring approach and insightful methods are two of the biggest human reasons we are now an exciting, inclusive church."

Nancy Hall, Pleasant Hill Church, Pleasant Hill MO

"At a pivotal time in the life of our urban congregation, CUCR provided the support we needed to set a direction."

Rev. Heidi A. Peterson, Central Presbyterian Church, Kansas City MO