10 Wise Practices for Leading Learning Communities to Equip Changemakers for Personal & Social Change

In the midst of our communities’ greatest challenges, our work at Faith Matters Network is to heal the healers. Anchored in our values of connection, spiritual sustainability, and accompaniment, since 2014 we have led learning journeys for clergy, lay people, activists, and changemakers of all kinds who seek to make positive change in their communities. We have accompanied civic, community, and faith leaders in states like Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Arkansas, and Tennessee, and movement chaplains and healing practitioners across the U.S. and world. In this work we have seen the difference that opportunities for deep formation makes to these leaders and to their work for a more just society. We have seen how in times of urgent action are also times that call for deep relationship building, soulful reflection and critical learning.

If you are involved in or curious about starting a learning community, this essay outlines the key practices we have learned thus far from our own Learning Journey programming. At Faith Matters Network, we define a “learning community” (or “learning journey”) as a program focused on the psycho-social, spiritual and skills-based growth of leaders who are invested in personal and social transformation in their communities. Here are some of the specific methods we have practiced in leading learning communities to equip changemakers for personal and social change.