by Rebekah Simon-Peter | May 11, 2020
“I’m really depressed about everything that is going on,” my long-time friend Lin confided to me. I understood. After all, her state had been in a serious lockdown. Her fiancé was sheltering in place five states away. She was stuck at home where once she was used...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | May 5, 2020
You are on the front lines of leadership during the largest, swiftest cultural shift the world has ever experienced. Everything has changed. You have been rising to the challenge. In fact, some of you are experiencing this as the most rewarding, if not demanding,...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Apr 23, 2020
Christians believe that out of death comes resurrection. Yet even Christians would have been hard pressed to believe that out of this terrible pandemic new life could arise for churches. Yet that’s exactly what’s happened. Take church buildings, for example. Their...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Apr 16, 2020
For decades all signs have pointed to the decreasing role of religion in American life. Then came the pandemic. Churches, uniquely suited to provide meaning in uncertain times, quickly moved worship online. In the process, congregations filled a sudden need for...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Apr 13, 2020
COVID-19 has brought with it a flurry of unexpected changes. One month ago, I never would have expected to wear a mask to the grocery store, practice social distancing or wash my hands incessantly. Life has changed dramatically. There is an upside, though. Even as...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Nov 12, 2019
At Shepherd of the Hills Church, it’s been a long time since the cries of children interrupted worship. That’s okay with this aging congregation. Although they miss younger people, they appreciate less commotion. If only they could get some responsible families,...
