Courageous Leadership: Lent Practices for Church Leaders

Courageous Leadership: Lent Practices for Church Leaders

by | Mar 11, 2025

Friends, it’s hard to believe that just five years ago, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic. And today, the complexities of our world continue to challenge us. It’s a time that calls for courageous church leadership, and that’s precisely what Lent invites us to embrace.

I’ve spent years helping churches thrive by creating a culture of renewal. I believe Lent isn’t just about somber reflection. It’s a powerful opportunity to lean into the suffering of Jesus as he walked toward the cross. And while we know the glorious end of the story – the resurrection – it’s crucial that we sit with the raw, real challenges Jesus faced. Because, let’s be honest, we’re all facing significant challenges right now. Lent couldn’t be more timely.

The traditional Lenten disciplines – prayer, fasting, and almsgiving – aren’t dusty relics. They’re dynamic tools for effective leadership. Let’s explore how we can use these Lent spiritual disciplines to navigate these turbulent times with grace and strength.

Prayer: Cultivating Vision and Bold Action

Prayer, in my experience, isn’t passive. It’s the engine of vision and bold action. It’s about connecting with God, yes, but it’s also about tuning into the divine whisper that guides our next steps.

During Lent, let’s commit to a deeper level of prayer for church leaders. This means:

  • Practicing Gratitude: Even amidst the chaos, let’s intentionally give thanks. Gratitude fuels our resilience.
  • Offering Ourselves: Daily, let’s surrender our agendas to God, asking for the wisdom and strength to lead with purpose.
  • Interceding for Others: Let’s lift up our communities, our nations, and our world in prayer. Let’s pray specifically for those who are suffering.

But remember, prayer isn’t just about talking to God. It’s about listening for God. This is where true leadership emerges. Pay attention to those nudges, those insights, those “aha” moments that come during prayer. They are often God’s call to action.

For Church Leaders:

  • Foster a Culture of Listening Prayer: Encourage your teams to practice listening prayer, not just petitioning. Create space for shared discernment.
  • Use Prayer for Strategic Planning: Don’t just pray for comfort. Pray for clarity, for vision, for innovative solutions to the challenges your church faces.
  • Teach Practical Prayer Skills: Offer workshops or resources on prayer practices that empower your people to connect with God in meaningful ways. Think Lectio Divina, Ignatian spirituality, or centering prayer.
  • Create Sacred Space for Lament: Acknowledge the grief and pain that people are carrying. Create space in worship and small groups for lament, for honest expression of sorrow.

Fasting: Disrupting the Status Quo and Embracing Innovation

Fasting isn’t just about giving up chocolate. It’s about disrupting the status quo. It’s about creating space for fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to church revitalization.

This Lent, I challenge you to consider fasting from:

  • Complacency: Are you settling for “good enough”? Fast from the fear of change.
  • Apathy: Fast from the temptation to disengage from the world’s problems.
  • Mindless Consumption: Fast from the endless scroll, the constant barrage of information that distracts us from what truly matters.

Fasting, in this context, is about creating space for clarity, for focus, for the kind of disruptive thinking that can revitalize our churches.

For Church Leaders:

  • Lead with Courageous Vulnerability: Share your own fasting journey with your congregation. Let them see that you’re willing to be challenged and transformed.
  • Encourage Innovative Fasting: Don’t just suggest traditional fasts. Invite your people to fast from things that hinder their creativity and engagement.
  • Use Fasting to Fuel Innovation: Before a brainstorming session, have your team engage in a brief period of fasting and prayer. See how it sharpens their focus.
  • Challenge the “Way We’ve Always Done It”: Use Lent as a time to question assumptions and explore new ways of being the church.

 

Almsgiving: Mobilizing Generosity for Maximum Impact

Almsgiving isn’t just about writing a check. It’s about mobilizing generosity for maximum impact. It’s about channeling our resources – our time, our talents, our finances – to make a real difference in the world.

This Lent let’s move beyond transactional giving and embrace transformational giving. Let’s ask:

  • Where can our generosity have the greatest impact?
  • How can we empower others to thrive?
  • How can we be agents of justice and reconciliation?

Almsgiving, in this sense, is about strategic investment, about building a world where God’s love is tangible and transformative.

For Church Leaders:

  • Teach Generosity as a Spiritual Practice: Help your congregation understand that giving is an act of worship, a way to participate in God’s work.
  • Partner Strategically: Don’t just support any cause. Identify organizations that align with your church’s values and have a proven track record of impact.
  • Empower Your People to Serve: Create opportunities for your congregation to volunteer their time and talents. Connect them with meaningful service projects.
  • Advocate for Systemic Change: Encourage your congregation to be informed and engaged citizens, advocating for policies that promote justice and equity.

Lent: A Call to Courageous Leadership

Friends, Lent is a call to courageous leadership. It’s a time to embrace the disciplines of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving in ways that empower us to be bold, innovative, and impactful.

As church leaders, we have the privilege and responsibility to guide our congregations through this season. Let’s lead with vision, with courage, and with a deep commitment to making a difference in the world. Let’s use this Lent to equip our communities to be agents of hope, transformation, and God’s unwavering love.

Ready to lead your church with more courage and vision? Take this opportunity to expand on the spiritual strengths you are building by scheduling a 45-minute Discovery Session with me. Or, be my guest at our free seminar How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success.

 

Copyright © 2025 rebekahsimonpeter.com. All Rights Reserved.

Believe in Your Ability to Rise Again: 3 Ways to Believe Like Jesus

Believe in Your Ability to Rise Again: 3 Ways to Believe Like Jesus

by | Feb 19, 2025

We are facing tough times in the world around us. Mainline churches are under attack for uplifting the mercy of Christ. The democracy as we know it is being changed from the inside out by unelected officials. The mission field is rapidly expanding as government workers are being summarily laid off or let go. The separation of church and state seems to have vanished as ICE and TSA officials enter churches at will to detain undocumented workers. The work of politics has positioned itself squarely in the realm of ethics.

As Christian leaders, we are called to notice, reflect on, and respond to matters of ethics. In fact, originally the separation of church and state was developed just so that churches would not feel constrained to speak to issues of the day.

I am writing to encourage you to hold on to your high calling. Not only that, as many values we have held dear seem to tumble down around us, I want you to believe in your ability to rise again. And to bring others along with you.

Resurrection is one of the key tenets of the Christian path. Not only did Jesus rise from the dead, he raised others as well. And he believes that we can rise too. Whether you take resurrection to be a literal or metaphorical reality, rising from the dead speaks to the buoyancy of both the human spirit and the divine spirit within us.

When it comes to participating in our own resurrection, we have much to learn from Jesus. Faced with the worst of dead-end circumstances—an unjust death by crucifixion— Jesus feels dread and moves forward anyway. Jesus believes in the reality of resurrection and puts that belief ahead of his fears. It’s not that he discounts the pain that awaits him. He doesn’t. Instead, he chooses to trust God in the worst moments of his life.

 

3 Ways to Believe Like Jesus

As you trust in your ability to rise, and to bring others along with you, here are 3 lessons we can learn from Jesus about how to believe in resurrection.

  1. Stay aware. Jesus stayed aware of what was happening around him and the implications of the decisions being made about his life. He didn’t bury his head in the sand, simply hoping for resurrection.

From Jesus we learn that as painful as times may be, it’s important to stay aware. So many people I know are opting out of watching the news, or staying informed because it is too depressing. Or too anguishing. While it’s important to keep one’s heart lifted, it is equally important to keep one’s feet firmly planted in the reality of changes taking place around us. Only in this way can you effectively speak, lead and minister to the people around you, and anticipate needs to be met. You can’t ignore the present if you are planning on resurrection.

 

  1. Trust the Guidance of God and the Prompting of the Holy Spirit. Jesus prayed during the worst time of his life. Rather than being frozen in fear, he actively sought out the wisdom of God.

From Jesus we learn to believe in the potent power of prayer. During these days of a rapidly changing landscape in our country, and around the world, pause to tune in to the guidance of God, the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and the needs of your own soul. Divine guidance is what we most need right now.

 

  1. Activate the ministries of the church. Before Jesus faced crucifixion, he conscientiously trained the Twelve to carry on his ministries: healing the sick, proclaiming the Kingdom, and casting out demons. First trained as disciples, they were ready to be sent out as apostles to carry on Jesus’ mission.

From Jesus we learn to believe in the future. We must train people to be ready for ministry. Now is the time to activate the ministries of the church—both comfort and challenge ministries. Comfort ministries offer comfort to those in need. The need for basic human dignities such as food and housing as well as hope and support is growing.  Challenge ministries challenge the root causes of hunger, homelessness, etc. Challenge ministries in these days may look like calling on your government representatives to push back against immoral or unjust or illegal executive orders. Or alerting undocumented workers how to avoid illegal detainment and deportation.

Sometimes, it seems that life hands us dead ends. Bleakness is all that lies before us. While things are bound to be better in heaven, what about life now? How are we to go on in situations like these?

 

A Bonus Lesson  Find joy and gratitude. Remember that in God’s world, there are no dead ends. New life always comes. Be ready for it by finding joy and gratitude in each day. Let your light shine.

Yes, resurrection can seem elusive when times are tough, and fear has a sort of irresistible allure. It sometimes seems a safer bet to catastrophize, to believe in a fearful outcome, than to place our faith in a positive future.

 

Put your Belief in Action

Beliefs shape your thoughts; thoughts fuel your actions; actions demonstrate your faith, and your faith reinforces your beliefs. So, as you begin to believe like Jesus, you will find that you are now able to think new thoughts, take new actions, and develop new faith. Mountains and mulberry trees start to move. The people around you begin to respond in new ways. And the world becomes a brighter place.

  • Believe: Believe in the reality of resurrection by placing more faith in God’s positive future than in your fear. If you have faith in the possibilities of the future, you don’t need evidence that good things will happen. Your choice to believe like Jesus is all the proof you need.

 

  • Answer the Call: Answer the call of possibility, of belief in resurrection. That doesn’t mean you won’t have doubts from time to time, or that you won’t have fears. As Rooster Cogburn in the 1969 movie True Grit, John Wayne famously said, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” That’s as good a mantra for an apostle as any. Courage is being scared to death and having the faith of Jesus anyway. Don’t pretend you have no fear, but turn that fear around. Don’t let it shut you down. Instead, use it as fuel.

 

  • Practice: A friend of mine used to say, “It ain’t over till it’s over, and if it ain’t good, then it ain’t over.” Develop the practice of looking for the good in each situation. Amplify it. Write about it. Talk about it. Lift it up. Rename your problems as opportunities and act as such. I don’t want to make light of it, but Jesus can see beyond the horror of crucifixion to the good that lay beyond it. He isn’t naïve, nor does he ask us to discount our own pain. Rather, Jesus invites us to see the good that comes out of even the worst of circumstances, like the deep family connections that have resulted from my mother’s ALS.

 

Believe In Your Ability to Rise Again

If you are looking for new ways to embrace the power of resurrection and the faith of Jesus in your ministry and those around you, I invite you to join me for RISE: 40 Days to Spiritual Transformation.

I created this course for leaders like you to embark on a transformative journey based on my powerful new book, Believe Like Jesus: Rising from Faith in Jesus to the Faith of Jesus. This immersive online experience will guide you in awakening the divine potential within, empowering you to live with the same unwavering faith and miraculous power that Jesus embodied.

Throughout six dynamic sessions, you will explore core principles such as spiritual authority, the power of prayer, divine purpose, resilience, and co-creating miracles with God. You’ll gain practical tools to apply these transformative teachings to your spiritual growth and daily life in these challenging times.

The first session is Tuesday, March 4, 2025 and we will meet weekly until Tuesday, April 8, 2025 from 6:30 – 7:45pm Central Time. Single and Group registration options are available. This could be the turning point you’ve been seeking, so register today!

 

Copyright © 2025 rebekahsimonpeter.com. All Rights Reserved.

New Year’s Resolutions – 2025

New Year’s Resolutions – 2025

by | Jan 8, 2025

As we begin the new year, I have mixed feelings of excitement for a new year and trepidation for what this year could bring to our communities, nation, and world.

Will we, as a nation and as individuals, show solidarity with one another this year, especially with the oppressed?  Will we start treating one another more as a beloved community? Will we rise in support of those who, under possible new governmental policies may be literally put in danger, or at the very least, made uncomfortable?

When I originally wrote this blog, it was December of 2021 and we’d been through the pandemic and, despite the tragedies implicit in a global virus, the new year looked promising.  At that time, focusing on the positive, I sat down to write my New Year’s Resolutions.  I think, with some updates, those resolutions that served me well in 2022 can also expand and enhance my life’s ministry in 2025.  I want to share them with you.

 

RESOLUTIONS

Be it resolved that in the service of church leaders everywhere, in partnership with God, I will be creative, daring myself to think outside the box, and take on things that scare me. Both within my religion and faith community, and in the broader community that encompasses other religions and spiritualities.

Be it resolved that I will deepen my commitment to authentic Christian community by empowering my ministry team to lead powerfully.

Be it resolved that I will envision and give voice to new futures and not let the fear of failure or rejection hold me back. Like other leaders, I worry about what others think of me. To hell with that.

Be it resolved that with the current divisions in churches, in denominations, in religions, and in the nation, this year, I will move forward more courageously, helping to bridge the divides that keep us apart.

Be it resolved that I will rise from faith in Jesus to the faith of Jesus, allowing myself to take new actions and see both myself and others in new ways.  This will also shift my consciousness to help me become the change I wish to see in the world.

 

Will I fulfill all of my New Year’s resolutions for 2025? Will I hit every goal? If last year and the year before are any indication, probably not. But that’s ok. Life will present unexpected opportunities and new goals will take the place of old ones.

This year will be a challenge, but it will also be an opportunity to let go and trust God, partner in faith, and set out on vigorous courses of action.  With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, all things are possible. Even the Beloved Community in a nation rife with unrest.

 

Do you want support in envisioning and enacting new goals to bring peace and renewal to your church and community? Join me for the seminar “How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success”, my free introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®. I’ve got several dates available for this 90 minute online opportunity and I look forward to seeing you there.

Interested in shifting YOUR consciousness and embracing real spiritual transformation in 2025? My latest book, Believe Like Jesus: Rising from Faith in Jesus to the Faith of Jesus is now available online.

 

 

Adapted and reprinted copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com. All Rights Reserved.

No Christmas is Perfect and That’s Okay

No Christmas is Perfect and That’s Okay

by | Dec 16, 2024

It’s easy to view the Christmas story through rose-colored glasses: Joseph and Mary and Jesus, all cozy in the manger, surrounded by an adoring crowd. Wise men and shepherds, angels and a star.

It’s the stuff of Hollywood!

These picturesque scenes are emblazoned on Christmas cards the world over.

But the truth is no Christmas is perfect. Not even the original one.

And that’s okay.

The real Christmas story is filled with stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.

Mary was a young teenage girl expecting a child.

Joseph, her intended, wasn’t the biological father.

He had to decide whether or not to turn Mary and her baby away, or to accept the mother as his wife, and the child as his own.

All of this is the backdrop of Jesus’ birth into the world.

That’s enough to put anyone in therapy!

Yet, despite all the obstacles they faced—from Mary’s labor beginning while in Bethlehem to finding no room at even the most humble inn—Mary and Joseph’s story demonstrates that imperfection is part of life.

In fact, it’s the imperfections that make things so memorable.

If Mary and Joseph had found the light on at a Motel Six, staffed by a smiling innkeeper who offered them warm cookies and bottled water, we might not love or remember the story as much.

Today I want to share four steps to embracing imperfection during the holidays.

These four steps can reduce stress,  bring you closer to God, and make your Christmas celebrations even more meaningful.

 

Step 1: Embrace the Imperfection

The first step to embracing imperfection is recognizing that no Christmas is perfect.

Not the first Christmas.

And not the Christmas at your church, in your community, or even in your home, this year. Some of us may even have stressful conversations around the dinner table this year.

Yes, it’s tempting to aim for a “perfect” Christmas experience for your church members, your community, and your family.

But remember that perfection will generally be out of reach.

Instead, let your church focus on embracing imperfection by celebrating what makes each of your people unique.

This means accepting messiness and chaos.

Strangely enough, the more you accept the imperfect, the more you’ll be able to experience joy and peace as well.

I am not saying go out of your way to create mess or chaos.

Just don’t resist it if it comes.

Instead, watch for the good that can come from it.

God can do more with us when we’re willing to see disruptions as blessings rather than as burdens.

 

Step 2: Stay Adaptable

The more adaptable and fluid you are, the more God can work through your church and community.

Consider Mary and Joseph’s story.

Can you imagine being pregnant on the road and trying to find someplace that has room, let alone someplace that can facilitate the birth of a child?

Yet, despite having very few resources, these two were able to find a safe place for Mary to give birth.

Now think about the great things that have happened in your church in the last 10 years. Or even the last 2 years.

Most of these things were birthed by staying adaptable so you could realize your mission.

Think about how churches went from no online presence to full-on TV production in a matter of weeks.

Adaptability is God’s wheelhouse!

Jesus entering the world did not require massive funding, special line items in the budget, stage and light equipment, or a strategically placed physical campus.

If that’s the case for the Savior of the world, imagine what God can create when you stay adaptable…even on a shoestring budget.

 

Step 3: Surrender and Trust

The story of Mary and Joseph is also a reminder to surrender ourselves to God.

Even when it made no sense to either of them, both Mary and Joseph operated with surrender and trust.

Mary said yes to the angel’s message that announced Jesus’ conception.

Joseph said yes to Mary and her baby.

Both of them said yes to the trip to Bethlehem, and yes to the manger.

Even when times were uncertain, they trusted God’s leading.

The payoff is that this journey of trusting yesses led them to witness some of the most miraculous events in history.

In the same way, surrendering your expectations and plans in order to say yes to God can bring about miracles.

Even if surrender doesn’t make sense to you initially.

In fact, this idea of surrender has always been at the core of my ministry and work.

I have longed for people to really and truly believe like Jesus.

And through believing like him, not just in him, we can co-create miracles that bring meaning and joy to our lives and to the lives of the suffering.

This Christmas season, let us remember the excellent example set by Mary and Joseph—and embrace imperfection as part of life.

 

Step 4: Remember God’s Grace and Mercy

Finally, remember that God’s grace and mercy is what strengthens us to endure difficult times.

Christmas is a reminder of this—that no matter the obstacles we face, God is always with us, and God will guide us through.

Rather than becoming overwhelmed by the expectations of perfection this holiday season, remember that imperfection does not mean giving up—it means surrendering and trusting God.

Invite God into your holiday celebration and allow love to fill your heart with peace and joy.

By doing so, your church can foster an environment where differences are celebrated, imperfection brings blessing, adaptability is faster, and surrender makes way for miracles.

You are creating a welcoming place for once-a-year guests as well as year-round worshipers to find peace in a hectic world.

May your Christmas be filled with the peace of imperfection.

To discover more about how to co-create miracles with God, join the many leaders who are Creating a Culture of Renewal®. We have free introductory seminars available now. I hope you’ll take a moment to sign up; I’d love to see you there!

 

Adapted and reprinted copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com. All Rights Reserved.

Why Your Church Should Hang Christmas Lights This Year

Why Your Church Should Hang Christmas Lights This Year

by | Dec 8, 2024

It’s that time of year again! The leaves are changing, temperatures are dropping, snow is falling, and festive Christmas lights are appearing on houses and trees across towns and cities.

Yet churches often remain darkened in this joyous season of light.

Why is that?

Christmas is the most widely recognized Christian holiday of all. Many who are nominally Christian celebrate it. People who will never come to your church celebrate it. Even persons of different faiths often celebrate Christmas in some way.

While many churches will decorate their interiors with candles, greens, and banners—most  people will never know. They won’t see the inside of your sanctuary—not your poinsettias nor your Chrismon trees. They won’t see the glorious beauty you have prepared inside your church. They’ll only see the outside of your building. Without the visible presence of lights you miss the opportunity to share the joy of the season with passersby.

It may seem simplistic, but hanging lights is not just about putting up decorations. Outdoor Christmas lights signal that your church is celebrating the holiday, too. That’s too important a message to skip or assume that others already know.

This year I’m suggesting you go along with the culture and festoon your building with lights. Or at least the part of your building that is easy to reach.

Here are the top three reasons why your church should make the effort to hang Christmas lights this year, and why it’s worth your time to do so.

Reason #1: Lights Show the Beauty Inside Your Church to the World Outside

There is nothing so special as a church sanctuary on Christmas Eve. I love seeing the Christmas decorations, how the hanging of the greens makes it all possible, and then standing back to admire the beauty and wonder of the season. Why leave that beauty behind the locked doors of our churches?

Historically, a light in the window said to the stranger passing by, “You are welcome here,” a welcomed message as travelers sought food and shelter on their journey.  Christmas lights on the outside of the church, reflecting the birth of Christ, conveys the modern-day version of this message:  “All are welcome here.” And to show that all really means all, you might want to add a colorful rainbow flag, or a symbol that tells those who feel excluded  that “all” really means everyone. That’s the good news sorely needed in today’s world.

Reason #2: Lights Celebrate the Deep Meaning of Christmas

The Christmas season, as you already know, is more than trees and gifts, bells and parties. While each aspect of the season has significance, none has more than the lights. As we reflect on the birth of Jesus and what that means for us today, we are drawn to the inbreaking of light, that gives birth to hope, followed by joy.

“But we have a Nativity scene,” you say. “Isn’t that better than lights?” For some people in your churches and communities, a Nativity scene brings to mind the humble story of Christmas. Others, however, may not even know what the word Nativity means, or the significance of the tableau. The introduction of Christmas lights invites people into the story. “Come and see, this child born in Bethlehem!” Suddenly the Nativity becomes personal.  The darkness fades and the light of God’s unconditional love shines.

 

Reason #3: Lights are Missional

During Halloween, trick-or-treaters count on outward signs to know if they should ring the doorbell. Lights and decorations communicate, “Stop by our house. We are here, and we have candy for you.” The same can be said for Christmas lights. Putting up lights is a way of sharing the love and joy of the season with everyone that comes by, whether they are coming to your home or driving by on their way home.  The lights may become a topic of conversation, a great way to share what Christmas means to you and the impact the birth of Christ child has on your daily life.

This Year

Too often, churches can be seen as places that are closed off from the community, open for business one, maybe two, days a week.  Imagine the talk in the town when your church is lit up at Christmas!  Who knows what could happen.  One day you’re turning on the lights, the next day you’re talking with someone who is spending their first Christmas without a loved one.  When it’s cold outside, you have hot chocolate and Christmas goodies to share, while hearing the stories of the community.  You offer prayer, build relationships, and suddenly you’re helping children with their homework, growing a community garden, and the miracles go on.

And it all started with Christmas lights.

 

Adapted and republished Copyright © 2024.

Copyright © 2022 rebekahsimonpeter.com. All Rights Reserved.

Common Perils and Common Opportunities

Common Perils and Common Opportunities

by | Nov 12, 2024

Election Day 2024 has come and gone, the votes are in, and a new president-elect has been determined. No matter how you voted, our country will now face common perils and common opportunities. Your response as a faith-based leader to both the perils and the opportunities will set the stage for how your people respond as well.

In this blog I would like to name three perils and three opportunities with suggestions of how to respond. But first, I’d like to remind you of one important myth, and how you can avoid falling prey to it.

 

The Myth of Omnipotence

A great deal of weight has been placed on the presidential election. And rightly so. This is a crucial leadership position in our country, and there is much at stake. However, the president alone does not control the fate of the US, or the world, or especially you. Yes, the president does have a great deal of influence, however they are not omnipotent. Checks and balances exist between state and federal law, and ideally within the three branches of government. More than that, as faith leaders, we draw upon a Higher Power to guide and direct us. This Power has been known to burst through jail cells, confound rulers of the day, and transcend even the grave. Therefore I encourage you to exercise your faith, and remember Whose you are, even in uncertain times. Especially in uncertain times.

 

Three Common Perils

Peril #1: Adjust your morals. There will be constant, steady, and unrelenting pressure to adjust your morals. Outrageous behavior and unacceptable actions will again become normalized in the public eye. You may have to work very hard to keep your moral grounding. Norms that were once commonly accepted will begin to feel radical. Norms such as making space for people who are different than you, without having to demonize them or ostracize them. Or norms such as agreeing to disagree. 

Don’t give in to this pressure. Know what you stand for. Be clear on your values. Maintain your morals and ethics. At the same time, don’t demonize those who voted differently than you did. To do so would simply reinforce the polarization that got us here.

 

Peril #2 The Gospels will sound increasingly like politicized statements. Love your neighbor as yourself. Show hospitality toward strangers. Welcome the alien and immigrant. For Christian nationalists, “making disciples” may sound like a rallying cry to lead more followers to acceptance of authoritarianism. Or leading them to treating others with a cruelty that has no place in Christianity. Or any religion for that matter.

Preach the Gospel anyway. More than that, live the Gospel anyway. Be kind. Be hospitable. Be welcoming. Even more so, interrupt acts of unkindness. Speak up for those getting bullied. Correct hateful or derogatory language uttered in your presence. As St. Frances is quoted as saying: “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

 

Peril #3: You will be tempted to sensor your words or even downplay the Gospels so as not to upset others. You may even be tempted to ignore your baptismal vows. Peer pressure can be a fearsome thing.

Pause, get your internal bearings, then live true to your values. Frankly, the Gospels have always been countercultural. They have always made us uncomfortable. Even back in the day. Yet, a word of caution: don’t beat people up with the Bible. Or with your interpretation of things. That doesn’t help, either.   

 

Three Common Opportunities

Opportunity #1: Love others. The need for love, hospitality, and kindness toward strangers will only increase. More than ever, people in vulnerable populations will need hope and help.  Even the term “vulnerable populations” will expand. LGBTQ people, all people of color, as well as non-Christians such as Jews and Muslims, Sikhs, immigrants, women, the disabled, and the elderly may all be targets of hate.

Natural disasters and interpersonal violence will both create opportunities to extend the best qualities of the gospel toward others.

 

Opportunity #2: Dream of a better future. The time to create inspiring and inclusive visions of a better future for all is now. Dream big and extend your sights beyond the church to the community around you. Partner with agencies and groups who may share your vision. Tap into the wealth of resources around you.

While the numbers of vulnerable people may grow, so will the opportunities to be of service. As a leader, you can show others how to expand their vision beyond your church’s walls.

 

Opportunity #3: Deepen your spirituality. Spiritual growth and grounding will be essential. If you look to the circumstances around you for hope, or affirmation, you may find that wanting. To continue to be a light unto the nations, you will need to tap into your own inner divinity. Practice rising from faith in Jesus to the faith of Jesus.

If your congregation has a vision or a mission statement, let that be your guiding light. If there is a particular thing you are called to, do it, and do it well. If it is feeding the hungry, visiting the imprisoned, providing sanctuary for the immigrant – continue what you’re doing.

But keep an eye out for other opportunities to help.

 

Leaders, this is the time to not only believe in Jesus, but to believe like Jesus. Expand your capacity to be a light in the world and to be the change you wish to see.

Help bridge the gap between our common perils and our common opportunities by following me on Facebook and joining me for my 40 Day Spiritual Transformation Series, starting November 27. I also encourage you to join me this Thursday, November 14th, for my free seminar, “How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success.“

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.