common good Archives - Rebekah Simon-Peter Coaching and Consulting Inc.

15 Things AA Can Teach the Church about Renewal

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Feb 24, 2026

Alcoholics Anonymous may be one of the most effective church renewal models of the last century — and most congregations have hosted it without fully recognizing what it gets right.

Founded in 1935, AA has helped millions experience lasting spiritual transformation through small groups, shared stories, disciplined practice, and radical humility. It has built one of the most successful self-duplicating spiritual movements in modern history — largely in church basements.

AA did not set out to renew the church.

But it reveals powerful principles of church renewal that congregations today cannot afford to ignore.

Here are 15 things AA can teach the Church about renewal.

1) Stick to Your Primary Purpose

AA has one clear purpose:

To help alcoholics achieve sobriety.

That clarity fuels effectiveness.

Churches often diffuse energy across competing priorities — programs, property, politics, preferences. Renewal begins when a congregation reclaims its primary purpose and aligns everything around it.

For United Methodists, that means remembering why we exist in the first place — to have open hearts, open minds, and open doors

Church renewal always starts with focus.

2) You Can’t Keep It Unless You Give It Away

In AA, recovery is sustained by helping others recover.

Bill W. and Dr. Bob, the two co-founders of AA, stayed sober by sharing the message. That principle remains unchanged.

Discipleship is built into the structure.

Healthy church renewal works the same way. Faith deepens when it is shared. Spiritual maturity grows through multiplication, not maintenance.

3) Everyone Needs a Sponsor

No one works the Twelve Steps alone.

Each member has a sponsor — someone further along who walks beside them. Then they become a sponsor to someone else.

This is discipleship in motion.

Church renewal accelerates when every member is both being formed and forming someone else.

4) Insist on Experiencing God

AA speaks of a “Higher Power” and invites members to grow in lived spiritual experience. The emphasis is not doctrinal precision but transformation.

Churches sometimes focus more energy on defining belief than facilitating encounter.

Renewal movements insist that spiritual awakening is real, personal, and possible.

5) Promise a Spiritual Awakening

The Twelve Steps culminate in a spiritual awakening.

It is expected.

Many churches promise belonging or participation. Fewer clearly promise transformation. Church renewal requires the courage to say: changed lives are not optional — they are the goal.

6) Measure Spiritual Growth, Not Just Attendance

In AA, growth is measured by sobriety, amends made, humility practiced, and lives restored.

Numbers are secondary.

If church renewal is reduced to attendance or budget metrics, depth is lost. Vital congregations measure maturity, courage, generosity, and justice.

Renewal shifts what success looks like.

7) Buildings Are Tools, Not the Mission

Most AA groups meet in borrowed space.

This frees energy for purpose instead of maintenance.

The early church grew without property. AA thrives without owning space.

Church renewal happens when buildings serve mission — not when mission serves buildings.

8) Be Self-Supporting

AA is self-supporting through member contributions.

This builds ownership

Renewal movements cultivate shared responsibility rather than dependence on outside rescue. When members invest personally, transformation deepens.

9) There Are No Stars

Anonymity ensures humility.

No celebrities. No platform culture. Just shared commitment to transformation.

Church renewal requires humility. Personality-driven leadership may attract attention, but humility sustains movements.

10) Don’t Shoot Your Wounded

Relapse does not equal rejection.

Those who fall are welcomed back.

Grace is practiced, not preached.

Congregations committed to renewal cultivate mercy. Judgment — even subtle judgment — erodes trust and stalls transformation.

11) Have Joy

AA meetings are often filled with laughter.

Honesty and joy coexist.

Spiritual depth and delight are not opposites. Renewal restores joy alongside accountability.

12) Let Structure Serve the Local Community

AA’s General Service Office exists to support local groups.

Authority flows toward service.

Church renewal requires denominational and leadership structures that empower local congregations rather than control them.

Healthy systems serve mission.

13) Share Your Story

Storytelling is central to AA.

Transformation spreads through testimony.

The early church grew through shared witness.

Church renewal accelerates when people tell the truth about what God is doing in their lives.

14) Focus on the Newcomer

In AA, the newcomer is the most important person in the room.

They are welcomed immediately.

Renewal movements prioritize those just arriving, not only those who have always been there.

Church renewal requires courage to make space — even when it disrupts comfort.

15) Expect Resurrection

People come back from the dead in AA rooms every day.

Lives are rebuilt.

New life is not merely hoped for. It is expected.

Christian faith centers on resurrection. Church renewal requires that we expect it — not nostalgically recall it.

Why This Matters for Church Renewal

AA demonstrates that spiritual renewal thrives when it is:

Focused on mission
Relational and accountable
Humble in leadership
Self-replicating
Experience-driven
Rooted in transformation

In many ways, AA models principles of church renewal more consistently than many congregations.

That should not discourage us. It should clarify what works.

If we long for renewal in our churches, we do not need novelty. We need clarity, courage, spiritual depth — and structures that support transformation.

This is precisely the work of building a culture of renewal.

The question is not whether AA can teach the church something.

The question is whether we are willing to align our life together around transformation.

Adapted and edited from June 2015 article.

Politics, Ethics, and the Voice of the Church: If Not Us, then Who?

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Jan 20, 2026

I first published this blog in 2018 after the horrific high school shooting in Parkland, Florida. I asked at the time, “Can churches be involved in the most volatile issues of our day?” And my answer then, and now as we deal with violence of a different sort, is that if the church can’t or won’t speak out against cruelty and oppression, then what hope is there for a voice of conscience in our world?

Here’s the trouble, though. When we try to speak to wrenching issues from a political perspective, we get caught in either/or choices. Our two-party political system creates a win-lose situation with no room for nuanced disagreement. Either/or choices are destined to polarize. Churches are reluctant to get involved. I get it. I’d like to offer an alternative that every church can use.

The Ethical Position

Thankfully, speaking from a political perspective is not the church’s only choice. Churches can and should speak from an ethical perspective. Webster defines ethics as “moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity.” For the church, ethics are the living out of our faith in a world in which choices are rarely black and white.

When churches speak from an ethical position, we are able to discern and articulate truths that go deeper than the artificial either/or choices created by our two-party system. Adopting an ethical perspective means we consider how core values of the Gospels and Jesus’ teachings impact public policy. Viewing current events through an ethical lens also empowers us to address how the gifts and potentials of human life impact our responsibility to the common good. Finally, because we believe in a hopeful future for all of God’s creation, an ethical perspective enables us to react not just to what is, but to powerfully envision what could be.

The Voice of the Church

In the United Methodist Church, members take a vow to resist evil and injustice in whatever forms they present themselves. That’s as clear a call for an ethical response to current events as I’ve ever heard.

Thankfully, as violence has erupted on our city streets, we’ve seen many examples of clergy of all faiths standing up to protect neighbors, friends, and strangers against unlawful oppression. Some literally risking their own lives and safety.

There are multiple ways we can take action and truly be the voice of the church for justice. Establish new ministries and new policies. Pray new prayers. Preach new sermons. Encourage new conversations. Call the powers that be. Write letters. Speak up. Get together with other like-minded folks. March. Cry. Shout. Pray. The actions you take will be dependent on your setting and circumstances. The main thing is to act.

If not us, then who?

It’s up to us, as clergy leaders, to take the lead. Join me and take that first step to active renewal by registering for my free online seminar, “How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success“. You’ll learn concrete ways that your leadership can make a real difference in your community, our country, and the world.

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

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | 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.

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.

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.

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!

New Year’s Resolutions – 2025

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | 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.

Social Impact and Advent: The Joy in Storytelling

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Dec 20, 2023

The holidays are a time to reflect, create memories, and focus on what God has done in our lives. As we search for Advent joy, it’s helpful to share our stories about how Jesus has impacted us through our work and service. Stories of change are individual and communal narratives that showcase positive transformations. They often depict a journey from struggle to hope, progress, or success brought about by individual or group actions, efforts, or initiatives. These stories revolve around social, environmental, economic, or educational reform efforts and offer firsthand accounts of how initiatives and people have significantly improved the lives of individuals or communities.

Whether about a young person organizing a protest, a group coming together to overhaul a rundown park, or a change in government policy that benefits marginalized populations, social impact stories showcase people doing good in the world. These stories of social impact provide detailed insight into inspiring works that cultivate joy in the lives of the people involved. Let’s look at some practical ways sharing joy in your story can have a social impact during Advent, and beyond.

Storytelling as a Means of Sharing Joy

Storytelling has always been powerful, creating deep human connection. In today’s world, storytelling can play a crucial role in catalyzing transformation. When joy seems elusive, the inspiration of your positive experience can shift the perspective from the negative.

Think about what compels you on social media – chances are that the stories that make you pause are those of people making a difference. Whether watching a viral video of an individual overcoming adversity or reading about a campaign for change that resonates with your beliefs, storytelling can inspire and motivate people toward positive action.

Here are some practical ways you can share stories that bring joy:

1) Social Media: Utilize platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok to share joy. When you put positive content into the world, you allow the opportunity for others to share in something bigger.

Film a video or write a post detailing a story of joy that resonates with you. Social media is perfect for sharing the small joys of your life with the people in your network. Ever notice how many “likes” a new baby photo or a birthday post get? People want to celebrate. They want to experience your joy with you!

Even sharing a story about the beauty of something as simple as a winter sunrise will inspire others to look beyond the daily negative noise. You can shift the perceptions of others by highlighting joy in the world around you.

2) Blogs or Websites: You can be the change you wish to see in the world, and websites like Medium or WordPress are great platforms for this kind of sharing. Detailed writing about a topic that is inspiring allows you to connect on an emotional level in a digital age. Include pictures and videos to make your story more engaging.

If you’re writing about a project that you’re working on for social change, invite others to join you. You can’t make the world a better place alone; share the work… and the joy!

3) Church Gatherings: Tell your story at church gatherings or meetings. When you share your spiritual journey with others, you connect with joy. Sharing can be as formal as a presentation or speech, or as casual as a random conversation.

Remember, the goal is not just to tell your own story but also to inspire others to offer their unique stories of joy. Your storytelling should always include listening to the journeys of others. Spirituality manifests itself in astounding ways. For some, communing with nature brings the most joy; for others, the spiritual path means working to help pass legislation to protect those very same resources. The main objective is to spread positive action and experience.

Advent, Social Impact & Joy

Social impact is a powerful force that can transform lives and communities. It is the collective effort of individuals to address unjust societal issues like homelessness and gun violence. To promote equality in the workplace and in our communities. To make practical changes for the environment and for future generations. Through acts of kindness, advocacy, and philanthropy, you can be the impact that inspires others to join the cause and create meaningful change.

You all possess a remarkable tool to ignite change, uplift spirits, and bring happiness: your unique stories. By sharing your experiences, you have the power to ignite a chain reaction of joy and social impact that extends far beyond your immediate circle. If you’re not sharing your stories now, what better time to get started then during the season of Advent!

With that in mind, I invite you to my upcoming seminar, “How Christian Ministries Achieve Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®.” During our time together, I will offer practical strategies for sharing your impactful story and contributing to a culture of renewal in your community.

Together, let’s write the next chapter of our stories of social impact.

Advent, Advocacy, and Engagement: A Path to Peace

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Dec 12, 2023

As human beings, we strive for peace. The yearning for peace resonates within individuals, communities, nations, and the global community. Yet, pursuing lasting peace is a formidable endeavor, constantly disrupted by war, conflict, violence, and injustice. Nevertheless, the church is called to advocate for peace and to seek reconciliation.

Understanding Advent and its Significance in Relation to Peace

Advent, a cherished season in the Christian faith, symbolizes the anticipation and preparation for Jesus Christ’s birth. During the four weeks leading up to Christmas, believers worldwide light candles, engage in special services and contemplate the arrival of Christ. This time allows us to center our thoughts on peace—a virtue that Jesus exemplified throughout his life.

While Advent practices may differ geographically and among denominations, the central message of the season remains unchanged: the birth of Jesus was a profound event that forever transformed the world. As we anticipate the joy of Christmas, let us remember that this season’s true essence lies in its profound influence on our lives – peace.

The Role of Advocacy in Promoting Peace and Unity

Advocacy is critical in promoting peace and unity across communities and nations. When we advocate for the rights and dignity of all individuals, especially the oppressed, we create a space where differences can be embraced and celebrated rather than feared or rejected.

Advocates strive to build bridges between different communities, encouraging a sense of openness and respect, ultimately leading to a more peaceful and harmonious world. Whether advocating for policy change, mobilizing communities, or simply amplifying voices that are often silenced, the role of advocacy in promoting peace and unity cannot be overstated, especially throughout Advent.

Creative Ways for Churches to Engage with Their Communities During Advent

Advent is a special time of year when many churches find innovative ways to connect with their community members. From virtual Advent calendars to drive-through nativity scenes to caroling, and more, churches offer unique ways to engage the community. By embracing creativity and adapting to the times, churches are proving that the spirit of Christmas cannot be contained. Engaging with the community during this season is not only a way to spread the message of peace and goodwill but also an opportunity for churches to demonstrate their commitment to advocating for peace. Brainstorm with your church and community leaders to come up with creative ways you can advocate together for peace.

Here are some ways your church can begin to engage in the work of advocacy during Advent:

Host a fundraiser for a peace-focused organization or charity that aligns with the church’s values.
Organize a prayer vigil for peace in the local community or for global conflicts.
Partner with other churches, synagogues, mosques, and faith-based organizations to host an interfaith dialogue on promoting peace and unity.
Encourage members to use their social media platforms to educate others about issues related to peace and to advocate for change.
Host a book club or discussion group that addresses inequality and injustice.
Collaborate with community leaders and organizations to host workshops on conflict resolution and peaceful communication strategies.

There are a variety of ways that churches can engage in the work of advocacy during Advent, and these are just a few examples. The important thing is to find what works best for your church and community, keeping in mind that advocating for peace is an ongoing journey that requires consistent effort and dedication. Though you may embark on the journey during Advent, for lasting change, it will continue throughout the year and beyond.

Peace is not merely a desired state of existence but an active pursuit that demands our relentless commitment. For pastors, it may feel like an uphill battle given the complexities of the world we live in today. There may be times when the responsibility of leading your church to advocacy can feel immense, the challenges insurmountable, and discouragement creeps in. However, during these moments of vulnerability, we are reminded of the transformative power of faith, hope, and unity.

If you are a pastor grappling with the complexities of fostering peace and unity in your community, remember that you are not alone. I invite you to connect with me. I am committed to walking alongside you, offering support, sharing resources, and celebrating every stride towards peace. Advocacy work can be complicated and sometimes overwhelming, but with the collective efforts of individuals like you, peace becomes possible. I love helping individuals and communities find creative, meaningful ways to do advocacy work.

Together, let’s strive to illuminate the world with the beacon of peace this Advent and beyond.

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