by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Aug 3, 2015
The vacation is one of the finest tools for spiritual leadership development. It allows you to practice being instead of doing—a must for spiritual leaders. The word dates back to the late 14th century, from the French, and means freedom from obligations, leisure, release. But the idea itself goes back to the ancient world: Egyptians, Greeks and Romans traveled for education, entertainment and culture.
Did Jesus vacation? Hard to say for sure, but we know he and his family traveled. Mary went to visit her cousin Elizabeth for an extended stay while they were both pregnant. Joseph and Mary traveled for the census-taking. After Jesus was born, Joseph shepherded his young family to Egypt for safety. Later, they regularly went up to Jerusalem for the week of Passover—perhaps the closest thing to vacation we can imagine. They probably traveled for the other two pilgrimage-related holidays as well. No doubt these were fun times of family, feasting, and celebration; long-standing ties would have been strengthened and new friendships made. Visiting the Temple itself would have been a religious and cultural highlight.
But whether or not Jesus took an actual vacation as we know it, here are the top 9 reasons you should.
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- Vacations give you perspective. Nothing like getting away to help you reflect on where you’ve been. Jesus himself took regular time away from the pressures of leadership. His alone time with God allowed him to get back it with vigor.
- The demands of church life are such that you can stay busy 24/7 and still never get it all done. If you’re one of those who thinks, “As soon as I get it all done, then I’ll take a break,” check out Workaholics Anonymous Book of Recovery for a new perspective. There is no such thing as “done.”
- Vacations allow much needed time with family, friends. Or perhaps, in some cases, away from family and friends! As much as I cherish my family and friends, a few solo trips I have taken stand out as times I grew the most.
- The Sabbath and holidays are not automatic days off for you. In fact, you’re working the hardest on the days others are resting and relaxing. God refrained from what he was doing to rest on the 7th day. Jesus did too. But most of us don’t get to.
- Vacations help you remember you are a human being and not a human doing. Doing, doing, doing can bleed you dry. Simply being with God, yourself, and your loved ones, is soul-satisfying. It helps you remember who you are. And whose you are.
- American vacations in the 18th and 19th centuries often revolved around religious retreats and denominationally oriented “camp meetings.” Take heart in knowing your spiritual forebears took time off. You can too.
- Even if you opt for a “staycation,” a break from the regular routine can bring about new insights and allow you time to think new thoughts. Or perhaps not think at all!
- A vacation can help you cultivate new interests, see new places, and deepen your appreciation for the landscapes, creatures and curiosities of the vast world we live in. Last year, I camped and hiked in an International Dark Sky Park. It wasn’t terribly far from my home, but it was a world away. Reconnecting with the night sky was a gift.
- You may have paid time off coming. Use it or lose it! I know many clergy who have denominationally-mandated yearly continuing education time who don’t take it, access to funding for it who don’t use it, and sabbatical time off every 7 years who never take advantage of it. What a waste!
This summer, I put a vacation reply on my email, left my calendar at home, went to my husband’s family reunion, hiked, read some good books, napped in the sun, poked around in a few places I’ve never been before, and generally did a whole lot of nothing. What a pleasure! In fact, I’m not done vacationing yet. Yes, I’ll be looking forward to being back at it….refreshed and rejuvenated…when the time comes. In the meantime, there’s more nothing to be done.
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Jul 27, 2015
I started working in a church—Denver’s largest United Methodist Church, no less—as an intern my second year of seminary. I was in charge of the young adult group….that had yet to be formed. There was nowhere to go but up!
I ended up staying on staff there at St. Andrew’s for six years, and being there on Sunday mornings (whether or not I had a part in the day’s service) was just part of the gig. But once I left to work on AfterHours full time, and didn’t “have” to go anymore, I didn’t. What is even more disturbing to me is the fact that I don’t feel any worse for not going. As a matter of fact, I like having my Sundays free.
If recent polls are a reliable indicator, a lot of people feel that way. Maybe you do too. I know a ton of awesome people who don’t go to church, and there could be a hundred reasons why. We church people have to own that at least for some of them the reason is that church kinda sucks. Most pastors and churches have to try to do a lot with very little. It isn’t their fault. Maybe they need to do…less?
What’s It All About?
Most people I know who don’t go to church aren’t looking for a lot. They want community, they want to do good, maybe help make the world a better place. That’s kind of it. But it’s hard to find a community that you like and that pushes you to live more like Christ. A church that pushes you when you get lazy following God and that will also give you hope and hold you up when you’re about to fall. It is not easy and honestly, it’s easy to give up. And that’s just the people that are actively searching. Never mind those that have said to hell with it. Good luck with them.
For a long time I felt guilty about that. I realize it is not a reflection of my relationship with God. It is just as my friend Dave puts it, most of the time, I just don’t like the delivery system. I realized that if I could create a perfect “relationship builder” for me and God, it would include serving the needy in some way, being lifted up when I feel like I’m falling down, and being cheered on when I occasionally win. It would also include the encouragement to be grateful and give thanks for all I have. But I can’t speak for everyone. I took an informal poll on Facebook asking what people want to hear pastors talk about. About 20 people answered, and only ONE mentioned the Bible. ONE. And yet, that’s where we focus.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m cool with the Bible. I think it gives us a great blueprint for how to live like Jesus. I think the sad thing is that most people never move beyond looking at the blueprint to actually building the house (or in this case, kingdom). It’s easy to learn about Jesus, it’s hard as hell to actually start LIVING like Jesus.
I saw a poll recently saying that the most important issue to people in my denomination is that the church be focused on creating disciples of Christ (39 percent of respondents ranked it as first or second in importance.) One would think this is great news, until you read further into the report and see that the issues ranked near the bottom are things like poverty and children at risk (both 17 percent), and social justice (16 percent).
What the hell? We think it’s important to create disciples of Jesus Christ…we just don’t think that the things that Jesus thought were important are important? That’s like saying you want to learn to swim, but don’t want to get wet. You want to get a college degree but don’t want to go to school. You want to lose weight, but you don’t want to diet or exercise.
Taking care of the poor and those on the margins is a biblical imperative. It is in the Bible hundreds of times, yet we continue to ignore it. It sounds to me like we want the church to magically make us into disciples, without having to do the work to get there. Either that, or we fundamentally misunderstand what it means to be a disciple. Theologian Soren Kierkegaard had a third theory, beyond magic and misunderstanding: “The Bible is very easy to understand,” he said. “But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand it, we are obliged to act accordingly.”
That’s my take. I could be wrong.
This blog post was excerpted from LAST CALL: From Serving Drinks to Serving Jesus
. Author Jerry Herships writes, “It’s the story of what to do when you thought for sure you knew what the hell you wanted to do with your life…bet everything on it….and find out you were wrong. At thirty.” My friend Jerry is the salty-tongued pastor of AfterHours, a tight knit faith community of misfits and rogue disciples who have community and serve the community. “Those two things are our sweet spot. I think what we do pleases God and I think we are doing our best to walk like J.C.” writes Jerry, between sips of bourbon.
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Jul 20, 2015
At a recent clergy retreat I attended, we prayed a prayer that went something like this: “O Lord, keep us far from the riches of the world.” Each of us was sincere in our prayers.
Later it occurred to me that God is indeed answering that prayer! Many churches find that money is their limiting factor. I’m going out on a limb here. But I don’t think it’s because these churches are full of poor people. It’s because they act poor.
I don’t believe this is a theologically necessary state of affairs.
Jesus had a trade. So did his disciples. His later apostles did as well. When Jesus and his disciples were traveling, they were richly supported by a network of women who financed their material needs.
While the author of 1 Timothy 6:10 writes, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” we sometimes act as though money itself is the root of evil. The truth is money is simply a tool through which we express our values.
What if we were to pray that God direct the riches of the world to us and through us to bring about healing, reconciliation, justice and wholeness in our communities and world? I wonder what might happen then?!
We need a new consciousness around money—one that allows us to be honest about our needs and the unlimited God we serve. Money is not in short supply. But if we believe it is, we will act, and ask, accordingly.
The most awkward moment in many church services comes when the offering plates are passed. Rarely is an inspirational invitation to give offered. Instead, code language, which only church insiders understand, may be used. Ushers themselves are often under-trained in actually passing plates to the people. Many a time I’ve wanted to put something in an offering plate but it never made it to me. It’s almost as if the ushers are apologetic about bringing the plate around. Music may play during the offering. But this offertory music is not connected with the offering of our financial gifts or our lives. Sometimes I wonder if it’s real function is to distract from the the embarrassing matter of collecting money. Finally, people stand while the doxology is sung.
Money makes the world go ’round. And churches need it as much if not more than other organizations. We have holy business to attend to: acts of justice, works of mercy, support of denominational initiatives, paying the salary and benefits of leaders, mortgages, heat, light, etc.
So why these mixed messages about money? Why awkward silences and the lack of clear direction or invitation? The truth is, many people want to express their gratitude to God, yet they don’t participate in the offering.
Here are 5 reasons why:
1. We don’t ask them to give. Yes, this may allow us to avoid awkward moments that make it seem like the church is “all about money.” But we also sidestep teaching moments, miss the opportunity for spiritual formation of life-long givers and don’t give people a way to express their gratitude. Worse, we hinder spiritual growth.
2. We ask them to give to the budget, but not to mission or ministry. Thus they don’t connect their giving with transformational activity. Don’t highlight the building or leadership salaries. Instead, highlight what buildings and salaries make possible!
3. We don’t ask for enough. Have you ever noticed that some people are only deeply motivated to give when challenged? If the “ask” isn’t big enough, they won’t bother giving. Are you asking for enough to get the attention of these givers? If not, you are blocking their spiritual growth, and the church’s ministry.
4. We have lost our vision for ministry and our passion for mission. They can tell the church is in maintenance-mode or a downward spiral. In one church I served, we redirected “the Pennies from Heaven” offering from paying off the mortgage to specific missional opportunities. Giving increased dramatically. Same people. Bigger offerings. They were jazzed by the vision and passion.
5. We don’t ask God to fully, richly, lavishly fund our ministries. Again, it’s that awkward relationship with money. And with vision.
We have not because we ask not. It’s time to start asking: inspirationally, invitationally, intentionally. Stop making excuses for why our churches are poor. Instead, it’s time to open ourselves to all the gifts God wants to bless us with. Acting poor won’t get it done.
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Mar 16, 2015
A friend related the following story to me.
“Before I left for church on Sunday, I realized it was the week to make a contribution 
to the church. I hadn’t been there all month and it was time to pay my tithe. I wrote the check out ahead of time, showed up in church, and was ready to give my offering.
“When it was time for the offering, the lay person up front read a beautiful prayer about giving of our time and talent as a response to God’s graciousness.
“The ushers then dispersed to collect the offering. Somehow, they never made it over to me. I was seated in a side aisle. The usher, who had earlier greeted me, now walked right past me.
“While I sat waiting for her to realize her oversight–which didn’t happen–I had plenty of time to think about the mixed messages that were being given in the service that Sunday.
MIXED MESSAGE #1
“As I sat there, I realized was there was never a clear ask. A beautiful prayer, yes. But no actual invitation to give. Mixed message #1.
MIXED MESSAGE #2
“Secondly, the offering plate never came by. Even if I wanted to give, I couldn’t. Never mind about online giving options. That wasn’t a possibility either. So, I settled in for the duration.
MIXED MESSAGE #3
“While I was waiting for the offering to conclude, I got to study the PowerPoint slide that was being used to communicate the giving message. It was a handsome slide with an eye catching photo and a large, well-lettered caption. But what a mixed message it contained!
“The graphic was a close-up side view of coins. The caption said “Give freely of your time, talents and treasure!”
Let me interrupt my friend’s story for a minute here. Anyone who knows the biblical story might guess that those coins represent the widow’s mite. Yes, she gave two coins…but it was all she had! Literally. They would also know that time, talent and treasure is code language for tithing: give 10% off the top back to God.
Insiders know this. But what about those who don’t know these stories or allusions?
They would pay more attention to the picture. Because even in this age of a slow growing economy, a picture is still worth a thousand words. I this picture was saying, “Look, no matter what we say, all we really want is your loose change. Forget about sacrificial giving, bills or checks. Just give us what’s jingling in your pocket.”
MIXED MESSAGE #4
I’ve visited my friend’s church. I know that it’s a large church, but also that it’s been operating in the red for months. Even though they support creative ministries that reach out to people on the margins, the leadership has now begun to ask people to give in order to fund the budget. They’re now printing the monthly shortfalls in the bulletin each week. That’s a sure sign that the vision of the church is no longer front and center. If it is, the people in the pews don’t know it. That too is a problem.
Could this church be strapped because of mixed messages?
MIXED MESSAGE #5
Let’s get back to my friend’s story. A graphic arts editor, she noticed what many other probably hadn’t: another mixed message coded into the slide of the coins. “Lightly embossed over the photograph was the letter c set inside a circle. This universal copyright symbol is a sign that the photo was protected by copyright. That means it must be paid for in order to be properly used.”
So, here we have a pilfered photo of coins set against the message to give generously. A mixed message about money rife with irony!
One must ask, how come the church sees itself as so poor, or so outside of the rules, that it can justify stealing someone else’s work?
Perhaps you think I am being unduly hard on this poor church. Maybe. But if insiders pick up on this, what other mixed messages might guests and visitors be picking up on?
My friend ends this story with a sad admission: “I was so frustrated by this whole fiasco–especially being ignored when it came to the offering–that I stuck my check back in my purse. It’s sitting on my counter top right now. I’m going to bring it back to church with me next week. But if they don’t bring the offering plate by me, I may not give it!”
My friend’s frustration is understandable. As is the frustration of churches who are operating in the red. But let’s think about this some more.
STRAIGHT MESSAGING
Let’s say people give according to the message they receive: coins. If everyone is giving at the level asked, this congregation could have a misguided sense of what it takes to survive or be generous. When the call goes out to give more, the regular givers may feel flummoxed. “We’re already giving! We need to get some more people in here to help carry this church.”
But why would new people want to attend or support a church that is not self-supporting through its own contributions? Or has lost its sense of vision? People know when they are being used.
If mixed messages are being given about money, where else are these kinds of messages popping up in the life of the church?
I should tell you, this is a true story. It really happened. In fact, it not only occurred in my friend’s church, it happens every Sunday in thousands of churches across America.
What might a straight message about money look and sound like?
How about this? Instead of the call to give coming through a prayer…which can be a form of triangulated or manipulative conversation…someone quite familiar with the vision of the church stands up front and announces the vision. He or she shares in an inspiring way how it is being lived out, and the difference it is making. He or she then invites people to give to support this vision. Ushers, before they disperse, scan the congregation to see where folks are sitting, and go to the people. A slide or slides celebrating the people and places being positively impacted by the vision is shown. Meanwhile, music that ties in to the vision is played or sung. People are then thanked for supporting the vision. Then the money is dedicated to God. Visitors and guests are told what is expected of them during the offering. If there is a shortfall, the vision and how the budget supports it, is lifted up in the bulletin. The sermon, too, mentions how the people are living out God’s vision in the world. And how the ministries of the church do as well.
I think we have not because we give not. And we give not quite possibly because:
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- The offering plate passes us by.
- We get mixed messages about what we are being asked to give.
- We don’t give or get straight talk about the spiritual importance of giving.
- We are are not lifting up a vision that inspires people to give generously.
There is plenty of money in the world. And there are plenty of people who want to be generous with it.
We need to be bold, inspiring, and straight with people about money. Jesus was. Mixed messages about money produce mixed results.
If this something you struggle with, it’s time to get over the frustration! My workshop Mixed Messages about Money helps church leaders just like you:
- Identify the hidden barriers to asking for and receiving larger offerings.
- Prevent unintentional communications which can sabotage giving
- Develop newfound confidence to talk about stewardship in a way that engages, not alienates, listeners
- Improved ability to tap into congregational generosity that ups giving
- Discover increased ease in talking about, asking for, and receiving money
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Feb 2, 2015
“The church thinks that young people will save the church, but actually young people want to save the world,” said Rev. Jeremy Smith, popular blogger. “If we can show them that young people can save the world through the church, then young people will gladly be a part of the church.”
Saving the world, even some small part of it, is risky business. It usually means speaking up about something others would rather keep quiet. Last month’s stirring movie Selma reminds me just how much was sacrificed to turn the tide of injustice toward justice. This month’s Black History Month reinforces the message.
Saving some small part of the world also means making ethical decisions about right and wrong: what you will stand for, and what you won’t.
So it begs the question: What is your church speaking up about? Or, what is your church known for?
If you answered: we are known for being friendly or we welcome anyone, then chances are what you’re really saying is “not much.” In that case, your church may have lost its voice. It may have laryngitis.
While laryngitis is mostly benign in humans, it’s usually indicative of a systemic problem in churches. I want to share with you what that problem is, three fears that drive the problem and three ways to transform the fear so that we can speak with a clear, strong voice.
Losing Our Native Tongue
The problem I see is that churches confuse ethics with politics. If it’s being discussed on the news or in Congress, then it must be politics. For many churches, that means the topic of conversation is now off limits. But that kind of self-censure limits our ability to speak our native tongue: the language of values, principles, and ideals, right and wrong, virtue and sin.
Meanwhile, we have left ethics to the politicians. While we claim laryngitis. Oops.
I’m not saying that re-claiming our voice is easy. It’s not. Whether we’re talking about chronic poverty, immigration, human trafficking, gays and transgendered people, economic injustice, or human impacts on the precious planet we call home the ethical issues before us are tough, tough, tough. Reclaiming its voice is the hardest thing a church will do. But it is also the most freeing. Because it causes us to truly depend on the grace of God, to walk in the footsteps of the great Hebrew Prophets, and to emulate Jesus himself.
Fears
While Adam Hamilton has done an excellent job addressing “Confronting the Controversies,” I’d like to address 3 fears that often get in the way of churches dealing with ethical issues:
- The fear of alienating people through controversy, or causing division, which in turn could mean losing financial givers.
- The fear of delving into politics, especially if it puts us on the wrong side of where our people are, either red or blue.
- The fear of losing a focus on the love of Christ, or straying too far from the spiritual.
Since I have dealt with fear #1 in a recent post, I’d like to focus on fears #2 and 3 here.
Fear of Politics: I understand the fear of delving into politics. That’s shaky ground and sure to turn off some people. The trouble is, the public arena is where ethical issues are often debated and outcomes determined. My suggestion is to bypass political parties and personalities while exploring the underlying ethical issues being debated. When we deal with hot issues from an ethical or biblical standpoint, we can put things on more neutral ground.
Speaking Tip #1: Dealing with ethics does not mean telling people how to vote, or even how to think. It does mean helping people explore the sources that can inform our thinking especially scripture, experience, tradition, and reason.
Fear of Straying from Christ: People want and need to be grounded in the love of Christ. Dealing with ethical issues actually aids this. I think of ethics as love of neighbor in action. Why would we leave that to career politicians?
Speaking Tip #2: Frame ethical matters in terms of love. This brings issues back into our territory and allows us to speak with authority and confidence.
The Power of Speech
While Martin Luther King Jr’s example has guided several generations of dreamers, a new incarnation has taken center stage recently, Pope Francis. In his brief tenure, he has managed to speak up on key issues facing the world from re-establishing good relations with Cuba, to living wages, to climate change. Is he dealing with the political? Or the ethical? I’d say its love of neighbor on a grand stage.
Speaking Tip #3: Not sure how to begin speaking up? In the style of the prophets, we can use our voices to ask: Who is hungry? Who is thirsty? Who is rich? Who is poor? Who is included? Who is excluded? Once those dynamics are identified, then we can approach it from the perspective of Jesus and his own ministry. WWJD?
Finally, be sure to immerse yourself in prayer and study. Let the still small voice guide you in reclaiming your own voice from the malaise of laryngitis. Who knows…it just might change the world.
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Jan 20, 2015
Church conflict is something that strikes fear in the heart of church leaders. Why?
The vital statistics of many mainline churches already reflect declining health. The size of worship attendance is shrinking as are the number of active ministries, and the people involved in them. Baptisms trend downward while deaths trend upward. Why bring on more conflict when we’re already on shaky ground?
Fear of Conflict
I think we are afraid of church conflict because it might reveal irreconcilable differences. And then what would happen to the congregation? The already shaky boat might just capsize. And so we avoid things that might be conflictual or create tension.
But my work has show me most of the stuff church leaders are afraid of isn’t what pushes people out the door. It’s not so much a strong stance on social justice issues like poverty, racism, or gay marriage. It’s not even questions of the authority of the Bible that does it. In fact, two lay leaders recently confided to me they tune out when there isn’t anything challenging going on. They want to think a new thought, chew on a new idea, and engage a new way of looking at things. So, for most people, that’s not the issue.
People have all kinds of reasons for leaving church. I say at least give them a good reason to go. I’d like to share with you the difference between a good reason and a bad reason for leaving church and 4 Do’s and Don’ts when making the shift.
Why Leave Church?
Some people will never leave church. They were there before you got there, and they’ll be there after you leave. They’re loyal to the church and its traditions. Others aren’t so immovable. Some of them will leave if they’re not getting their way or they have been hurt by a comment, a leadership gaffe, or a pastoral slight. There’s not always a lot you can do about that.
But most people leave for reasons we have far more control over. Here are three: First, there is no new vision or direction for the church. It’s same old, same old. People are asked to risk nothing. They are bored, unengaged. Second, the church is simply going through the motions. Worship lacks spiritual depth or vulnerability. Prayer is lackluster. Preaching is uninspiring. Music is uneven. They don’t sense the sacred presence of Jesus or the movement of the Holy Spirit. Third, relationships are cliquish. Worshipers may be disconnected from each other, from visitors, or from the community around them.
Now these may all be valid reasons to leave church. That we church leaders tolerate this state of affairs is our bad. Let’s at least give people a good reason to go.
Give Them a Good Reason
What’s a good reason? A vibrant new direction that won’t please everyone. A bold, risky vision that requires big faith to enact. Worship that plunges spiritual depths, creates space for the Holy, and evokes emotional honesty. Relationships that go beyond the surface, inviting truth-telling and a community with people from a variety of backgrounds, circumstances, and ethnicities.
Make no mistake, these things will be uncomfortable and to some unpopular. Some people will leave BECAUSE they disagree. Maybe they don’t want to get their hands dirty and reach out beyond their comfort zone. Maybe they are sick of hearing about those people. Maybe they can’t understand how environmental stewardship relates to the life of faith. Perhaps racial reconciliation and economic justice don’t float their boat. Maybe they like the ways things have been just fine. No worries. The seats they vacate will be filled by others. Eventually the offering plate will be too.
People want an experience of Jesus. Of his values. Of his presence. Of his message. Of his radical love. The churches that don’t provide that will die. The churches that do provide that may well live.
Case in Point
One small mainline church I know was on the verge of closing. In fact, the 9 remaining people had decided it was time to call it quits. At their very last meeting, an older woman said, “But where I will go next Sunday morning?” Her lament re-opened the conversation. The little group decided to give it one last try. They hired a part time bi-vocational pastor who was passionate about connecting the church and the community. She wanted to create an inclusive space for all people, including youth at risk. Seven years later, the church is thriving! They have a church band with a professional musician from the community college, an active outreach to GLBT youth, a Friday night coffee house with live bands from the community, several 12-step meetings, and a free clothing ministry. The pastor is now full time, even as they share space with another worshiping congregation to make ends meet. This church has become the inclusive, progressive go-to community in a very politically and socially conservative town.
I was there on a recent Sunday morning and the sanctuary was comfortably full, with perhaps 60 people in attendance including a journalist from the local newspaper, entrepreneurs, several doctors, teachers, quite a few teenagers, older couples with canes and hearing aids, students from the college, and a smattering of recovering addicts. Even the mayor worships at this congregation! It was a refreshing experience.
Jesus had a powerful vision of the Kingdom of God. His preaching and teaching and ministry gave people direction; it pointed to something brand new. Sure, some people left Jesus. Others even killed him. But not because they were bored! We know how the story goes…a handful of followers led to the billions who now follow him.
If you’re going to lead church—whether you are clergy or laity—understand people will leave church. Can’t stop that. I say, at least give people a good reason to leave the church.
4 Do’s and Don’ts
Here are four do’s and don’ts to consider as you move forward:
1. Do prepare people for a change in direction. If you are presenting a new vision, give people plenty of time to get used to the idea, to ask questions, and to present their ideas too. Don’t expect everyone to be on board. But don’t back out if they’re not either. Ground your efforts in prayer, and trust God.
2. Do give people something new to chew on in your sermons, devotions, and Bible studies. Don’t be afraid to tackle tough issues. Just make sure to fairly represent all sides. Don’t be afraid to say where you stand, and why. People will appreciate your honesty and vulnerability, even if they disagree with you. Do make sure you have thought it through as much as you can, and don’t try to force others to believe or behave the way you do.
3. Do turn to Jesus and the Gospels for guidance. In good Jewish fashion, Jesus was involved in all kinds of healthy debate with those he agreed with, and those he disagreed with. No matter what, he remained true to himself and was prepared to answer for his beliefs. We are beneficiaries of that self-differentiation.
4. Do be of good courage! Our inspired visions, risky ministries, spiritually grounded worship, and courageously loving relationships can and do make a difference.
Without all this, your church is likely to continue declining and die anyway. Might as well give it a go!
