Convocation: A Church and Ministry

The Church

This interfaith church is one of many springing up against a landscape of conflicts among nations and religions. If the world is to be at peace, then our churches need to be about the work of helping individuals understand the authentic search that each faith represents. Convocation gathers individuals from various traditions who work together to better understand what we have in common while also identifying the issues that have divided us historically. We observe that wherever interfaith work happens, there is a growing respect and love among the people involved. That is true for us in Convocation! The founding pastors of Convocation are Dr. John L. Hoff and Mary Colette Hoff, M.Ed.

The Ministry

The word Convocation refers to being called together.  We find ourselves called together by our own interest in qualities of spirituality and areas of belief that come from several faith traditions. This church encourages us to seek what is wise and powerful in a variety of historic faiths. One core truth is that our faith should be manifest in our life, should be practiced. One aspect of being called together is that we desire to be of service, to make a difference, and to be a blessing in the world about us. The concept of service or ministry is a natural expression of a full and loving heart. We encourage participants to serve by passing on to others what we have found helpful for ourselves. Those involved with Convocation are encouraged to be thoughtful and conscientious throughout their lives. We facilitate a process wherein individuals assess their needs for development and reflect on their goals as they attempt to improve the way they live their lives. Programs encourage personal development, sound thinking about relationship, and making and keeping agreements with great care. Some members of Convocation have committed leadership to the “Community of Practice Project” in which we are doing research on best practices for supporting individuals with a variety of temperaments and issues in living. Meditation, prayer, and care-filled conversation are vital resources for group formation and spiritual deepening.  To this end Convocation participants are encouraged to serve in the social network that surrounds them and to pass forward the compassion and truth they experience. While we are grateful for the ministry of our pastors, John and Colette Hoff, our church encourages participants to value their own service to others as an important part of our shared ministry.