An Introduction to Integral Ministry Practice
TThe Integral Ministry Practice – An Introduction explores the shift from minister-centric to mission-centric ministry through the lens of Integral Theory, conscious systems design, and evolutionary spirituality. Led by Revs. Drs. Gary and Jane Simmons, this course reveals how traditional church structures—built around the personality of the minister—often limit growth and sustainability. Participants discover how to reorient ministry around a living, shared purpose that activates every member’s gifts and ensures long-term vitality.
You’ll explore key insights from real-world ministry transformation, including the Unity Spiritual Center Spokane case study, where this model was successfully applied to create a thriving, empowered community built on transparency, shared ownership, and financial integrity. The course introduces the spiritual cooperative model, a revolutionary approach to funding and participation that replaces outdated tithing systems with collaborative giving and collective stewardship—turning every member into a co-owner of the mission.
Who This Course Serves Well
This course is especially helpful for ministers, board members, and leadership teams who sense that something in their current model of ministry is no longer holding, but who are not yet ready—or do not yet need—to enter a formation program.
It serves those who are seeking shared language, developmental context, and a clearer understanding of the challenges they are facing, without pressure to decide what comes next.
This course is not designed to provide answers or strategies, but to help participants ask better questions and discern appropriate next steps in their own time.
For those also interested in the IMP Certificate Program, this course: IMP Introduction is a prerequisite to the IMP Certificate Program.
Why Take this Course
This course is more than education—it is transformation in action.
You’ll gain tools to:
Evolve your leadership from managing a congregation to catalyzing a movement.
Understand the root causes behind the decline of traditional congregational ministry—and how to reverse them.
Explore sustainable systems that align finances, leadership, and culture with your ministry’s higher purpose.
Integrate shadow work and self-awareness to create more authentic, compassionate, and spiritually mature leadership.
Experience real-life applications through the Unity Spiritual Center Spokane model—a living demonstration of mission-centric ministry in practice.
Whether you’re a minister, an emerging lay leader, a student or a board member seeking a new path forward, this course will equip you with the insight, structure, and inspiration to guide your community into a new era of wholeness and vitality.
How the Course Works
The IMP Introduction Course is offered online in an asynchronous, self-paced format. Participants engage the material on their own schedule, allowing the course to fit alongside the ongoing responsibilities of ministry and leadership.
The course combines short teaching segments with reflective prompts designed to support thoughtful engagement rather than rapid completion. There are no live sessions or cohort requirements, and participants may move through the material at a pace that feels appropriate to their context.
Participation & Time Commitment
Participants should expect to spend approximately 3–6 hours on course material in total, though individual pacing may vary. There are no live sessions or cohort requirements. The course is designed to fit alongside ongoing ministry and leadership responsibilities.
Tuition & Enrollment
Tuition for the IMP Introduction Course is $149.00 USD. Enrollment grants access to the course materials for the duration of the engagement period. After payment is processed, participants will receive an email with instructions for accessing the course.
For those who complete the IMP Introduction Course AND enroll in the IMP Certificate Program, your payment for this Intro Course will be an applied credit of $149 off their IMP Certificate Course tuition.
