COVID Archives - Rebekah Simon-Peter Coaching and Consulting Inc.

The Hidden Healing Power of Serving Others

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Feb 27, 2024

Many of our communities have been fractured by contentious issues: politics, immigration, abortion laws, gun rights, issues of human sexuality, and racial justice. The church used to be a place where healing could happen. Yet these days even churches have been caught up in the crossfire.

What does it take to rebuild community in light of post-pandemic and post-disaffiliation realities? In this article I want to explore the hidden healing power of serving others for fractured communities and congregations.

But first, let’s examine a problematic dynamic that keeps churches from employing this hidden healing power of serving others.

When You Lose the Connection To Your Community

When churches lose momentum, they become increasingly inward focused. A great deal of energy is focused on simply surviving. There is little energy left for outreach or meaningful engagement with the community. Perhaps they feel they don’t have the people, the right age group, or the resources to truly engage their communities. However, when a church keeps its inward focus, it loses its raison d’être, its call, and its mission. It loses a connection with the community it is called to serve.

You Can’t Be All Things to All People

While even small churches are eager to be of service, they are up against one dangerous myth. That is the myth that churches have to be all things to all people. Therefore, they don’t try. Or they spread themselves too thin. I want to relieve you of this dangerous myth. Choose one way of being of service and stick to it. You’ll have a much bigger impact this way.

I Had to Choose One Thing and Do it Well

After I left local church ministry and started my own teaching ministry, I tried to be all things to all people. I wanted to lead workshops on every single thing I knew anything about: healing from trauma, recovery from addiction, creating multi-cultural relationships and community, the Jewish roots of Christian practice, emotional intelligence, and leadership development. I don’t need to tell you that this approach to serving others was not sustainable. Physically, I was worn out. Emotionally, I was stretched too thin. Spiritually, I didn’t have a cohesive mission. The bottom line was that I couldn’t be all things to all people. I was on the edge of the burnout that I left the local church to avoid! Instead of trying to be all things to all people, I had to choose one thing and do it well.

Now that I have learned to focus on where I can have the most impact, each and every year dozens of big, bold visions come to life through Creating a Culture of Renewal®. I get to minister to church leaders and watch them come together to build these visions and be of surprising service to their communities.

Put Out the Welcome Bench

My local church, First United Methodist Church in Casper, WY, has found the hidden healing power of serving others.

First UMC is located downtown in an area where many unhoused or unemployed people congregate. Instead of pushing these folks away, as many downtown businesses and city councils do, First UMC put out the welcome bench instead. The Trustees placed first one, then a second, park bench next to an external electrical outlet so others could easily re-charge their cell phones. Without feeling like they were stealing or loitering. Now, with working cell phones they can stay connected to loved ones, job opportunities, and the world at large.

Next, First UMC invited the Salvation Army to set up its mobile healthcare clinic in the church parking lot twice a month. The church has also repurposed a second location to launch a navigation center, Kind Grounds, to connects people and resources. Their end goal? Homelessness itself is a transient phase of life, not a long-term lifestyle.

Meanwhile, classrooms in the church basement are filled many nights each week with 12-step meetings. Recovering addicts, and those who love them, have a safe and welcoming place to get off drugs, deepen their spirituality, and rebuild their lives.

The hidden healing power of serving others is spreading out into the larger community. Instead of feeling invisible, unwanted, or pushed away, the unhoused folks are building a stronger sense of belonging to the community, Meanwhile, the church is building a stronger commitment to hospitality. Compassion for those with different life experiences is more present than ever.

As a result, worship attendance has not only increased, it has diversified. As has its community mindset.

And to think, it all started with serving others who needed easier access to an electrical outlet.

How You Can Tap into the Hidden Healing Power of Serving Others

Building community around the hidden healing power of serving others takes a new kind of leadership ethos. It takes Conscious Leadership. Conscious leadership is the capacity to master yourself in relationship to others, tap into your soul’s spiritual intelligence, and employ the courage of vision. If you want to discover how you can become a more conscious leader, then please join me in a free 60-minute seminar, Elevate Your Ministry: An Invitation to the Power of Conscious Leadership. Or, if you want input on your ministry, click here for a Discovery Session.

Spirituality is the Key to Re-Building Community

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Feb 19, 2024

In a world where loneliness is rampant but religious affiliation is down, many churches face the urgent question: How do we reach people who are longing for connection and meaning? This blog explores the intriguing possibility that focusing on deepening spirituality is the key to re-building community in the post-pandemic church.

What We Are Doing Is Not Sufficient

People have been quietly quitting the church for decades. Even before the pandemic. The spiritual but not religious have been letting us know for years that what the church offers is not sufficient. It is leaving needs unmet. People are looking for something more. Rather than fearing or dismissing the message that the spiritual but not religious have communicated by leaving the church, let’s learn from them instead. They’re signaling the need for a shift in church culture we can all benefit from. That’s why I’m writing about how spirituality is the key to re-building community.

Yet, before we look at how the church can re-build community through spirituality, we need to dispel a common myth. This is the myth that the church already “does” spirituality.

The Myth That “We Already Do” Spirituality

Many church worship experiences excel in talking about God, or Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. They tell stories and teach lessons related to God. This is good as far as it goes. However, for many people who are hungry for God, this does not go far enough. There is a difference between talking or singing about God and actually experiencing the presence of God. Now, it’s not that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are absent from worship. They are not. It’s that no space is left to intentionally experience their divine presence.

Spiritual Affiliation Has Increased

People assumed that when the pandemic ended that people would automatically return to church and sanctuaries would be full. That didn’t happen in most congregations. In my book, Forging a New Path, I compared COVID-19 to the Bubonic Plague. The plague’s impact on medieval Christians taught us how crises often lead to new ways of connecting with the divine. When traditional structures faltered in medieval Europe, lay movements and personal encounters with God flourished. In fact, the spiritual but not religious movement was born. This is an interesting historical parallel to where we are right now in our post-pandemic world.

Then as now people yearn for meaning and purpose. Yet, then as now, the church wasn’t providing the experience of the divine. This presents an opportunity: Study after study shows that humans are hardwired for meaning and purpose. Both our souls and our cells are created to experience the transcendent. Even non-religious people are wired for ultimate purpose and meaning.

This is good news. The God of the Bible is a God of direct encounters. We can reclaim this aspect of the Bible and guide people towards direct encounters with God today. This shift will benefit everyone, including those who are already part of our congregations, and those who are not.

What is Spirituality?

We talk a lot about being spiritual. But what does it really mean? I like to turn to a well-known passage in Ezekiel (37:1-10) that speaks of Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones coming alive through God’s breath. You may recall that in both Hebrew and Greek, the word for breath is also translated as Spirit. Thus, spirituality is being aware of God’s very real presence within us. A presence that is as real and as immediate as the breath.

In Christianity, spirituality may be expressed in three forms: personal, communal, and visionary spirituality.

Personal Spirituality is experiencing God’s presence in a way that fosters a sense of individual worth and belonging. As you engage in personal spirituality, you come away with the distinct sense that “I matter.”

Communal Spirituality is participating in a community that is founded in personal spirituality and woven together by increased love and support. As you engage in communal spirituality, you gain the distinct sense that “we matter.”

Visionary Spirituality is recognizing the collective impact that your lives can have on others. This awareness then becomes a shared mission. As you engage in visionary spirituality, you gain the distinct sense that “y’all matter.”

Re-Building Community

By listening to the “spiritual but not religious” movement and cultivating authentic spiritual experiences, the church can re-build a sense of community. This doesn’t require abandoning tradition, but rather reclaiming what has always been part of the church’s tradition: direct experiences with the divine. As you create spaces for individuals to connect with God and each other in meaningful ways, be prepared for a fresh wind of the Spirit.

By embracing the power of personal, communal, and visionary spirituality, the church can lead the way in re-building a sense of community and of belonging. I would love to hear your thoughts or questions on spirituality as the key to re-building community in post-pandemic and post-disaffiliation churches. Sign up for a discovery session here.

I have one more option for you. If you want to discover how you, too, can tap into your soul’s spiritual intelligence as a conscious leader, then please join me in a free 60-minute seminar, Elevate Your Ministry: An Invitation to the Power of Conscious Leadership. In this seminar I will introduce you to a new program that I am very excited about, Conscious Leadership! Come discover how you can move towards Jesus’ call of being Salt and Light for the those around you.

How the Church Can End the Loneliness Pandemic

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Feb 7, 2024

We live in one of the loneliest times in human history. Even as we have more ways to connect, we are increasingly less connected to each other. We have many platforms for being “social”, but they don’t always provide a deep sense of belonging. In fact studies show that too much time spent on popular social media platforms increases the sense of disconnect, isolation and loneliness. Mental health struggles seem to be at an all-time high. The good news is that the church can respond to the loneliness pandemic.

In fact, in my next three blogs, I will be exploring the 3 S’s of post-pandemic community-building. These include being social, being spiritual, and being of service. But before we discuss how the church can participate in ending the loneliness pandemic, there is one myth we have to dispel first.

The Myth of Church Lite

There is a myth that churches which focus on social events are missing the mark. That they are “church lite.” That these socially oriented churches are too inward-focused and don’t care about the community at large. You may think that social events undermine the church’s core mission and will attract the wrong crowd who aren’t serious about faith. But here’s the reality: social events complement and enrich spiritual life. Shared experiences build bonds, foster support, and create a welcoming atmosphere where faith can more easily grow.

True Confessions: I Used to Be One of Those People

I used to be one of those people who believed the myth of church lite. I used to think that we didn’t have time to be social. That being too social in church was a sin. But the pandemic has really changed my mind on this. I saw how much I missed people and how the social aspect of church helped me grow spiritually. Now I think being social is an absolutely essential part of re-building spiritual community!

Think about it. If we aren’t social together, can we really be spiritual together? Can we do well at being of service? Jesus and his people hung out together for 3 years. That’s a big part of what made them so effective. We need that type of social connection too.

The Power of Weak Social Ties

Combatting loneliness doesn’t require five best friends. In fact, one of the strongest indicators of happiness is the number of weak social ties a person has. A weak social tie is someone you recognize and acknowledge and who recognizes and acknowledges you. But you likely don’t have their phone number in your phone, nor are you friends on Facebook. You may not even know their name. However, the power of being recognized and acknowledged in public goes a long way toward creating a sense of belonging.

The church can make use of weak social ties throughout worship–especially during passing of the peace, communion, welcoming new members, and children’s time. Also weak social ties are built during outreach ministries, choir practice, and even during the coffee hour. Special care must be taken to building weak social ties with online worshipers. One of the best ways to do this is to have an online worship greeter or pastor. This person would cultivate online engagement during worship, as well as at other times of the week. Being recognized and acknowledged online feels as good as being recognized and acknowledged in person.

In an age when people participate in congregational life more sporadically, weak social ties are an important aspect of what makes attending church feel worthwhile. Weak social ties keep you connected to the world at large and are vital for happiness measures, health, and longevity.

The church can also cultivate strong social ties. These relationships, while rarer these days, are not impossible to form. Look for them to build during small group meetings, Bible Studies, or study or mission trips. They require more time to maintain than weak social ties.

Create Multiple Ways to Be Part Of Things

In addition to welcoming people into a life-giving network of weak social ties, there is another powerful way that the church can end the loneliness pandemic. This is by giving people multiple opportunities to belong within the life of the church. The more sub-groups a person belongs to, the more connected they are, and the less lonely they feel. For instance, being a greeter once a quarter, attending a weekly online prayer group, and sitting in the same row amidst some familiar faces once a month are three different ways to create a sense of belonging. Here are some more ideas.

IN-PERSON CONNECTION

By planning social events together, you build the sense of social belonging that combats loneliness and isolation. You can offer diverse small group options based on the hobbies, interests, or life stages of your congregation. This will open people to deeper connections with each other. Volunteering together also helps to establish a sense of camaraderie and allows people to connect with the larger community in a meaningful way. Take your sense of social connection a step further and collaborate with other religious groups, charities, or community centers to build relationships and broaden impact.

ONLINE CONNECTION

Seek to develop deeper social connection by hosting online events: Book clubs, Bible studies, game nights, or even virtual coffee hours to keep the community connected, regardless of location. Online support groups provide virtual spaces for individuals looking for spiritual fellowship and encouragement throughout the week.

A Warning

Churches must also actively seek to remove barriers between themselves and newcomers or community members. No matter how many wonderful social activities you have, people won’t want to be part of your church if they sense they are being judged, evaluated, or censored. Social activities must be accompanied by a theology of a loving and welcoming God. People simply don’t want to be part of a church if they sense they or their families are not accepted or welcomed.

Take Your Next Step

By embracing these ideas, churches can move beyond simple survival to thrive in a changed world. By fostering genuine connection, inclusivity, and a welcoming atmosphere, you can not only create spaces for newcomers and build a vibrant community that extends far beyond Sunday services, but you can end the loneliness pandemic. Remember this is just a starting point. Tailor these strategies to your specific community and values, and always keep an open mind to feedback and new ideas. Reach out for a discovery session for specific input on your situation.

4 Principles to Revitalize Church Communities

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Sep 21, 2023

Spotlight on Certified Renewalist, Rev. Dr. Becca Girrell

Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all formula. It requires a balance of self-awareness, community engagement, and visionary thinking. Rev. Dr. Becca Girrell, a recent grad of Creating a Culture of Renewal®, is a newly credentialed Certified Renewalist serving as a pastor in New England. Her work has been a shining example of what great leadership can do. Together with her team, her incredible journey has set a blueprint for Christian leaders seeking to renew their congregations and communities. In this spotlight on Certified Renewalists, I would like to share the 4 principles she embodied to revitalize her church and community. But first, let me introduce you to Rev. Becca.

From COVID to Community

Rev. Becca was newly appointed to United Community Church of Morrisville VT during COVID-19 lockdowns. All worship services and meetings were conducted through Zoom. As you can imagine, settling into this new environment without the usual opportunities to foster relationships proved challenging. Nevertheless, Rev. Becca was determined to create community.

Over the course of her three-year stint in Creating a Culture of Renewal®, Rev. Becca and her leadership team developed a Kingdom-oriented vision, “We connect people to the resources they need with the dignity they deserve by using all of our space and resources for God’s mission.”

As a result, the congregation connected with the community through “Breakfast on Us” serving 50+ meals per day, Monday-Friday, and regular community dinners serving 75+ meals each time.

In addition, the church partnered with healthcare teams, rural resource navigators, and more than half a dozen organizations to make their services available at the church several days a week. By popular demand, the church provided Narcan training to help combat the opioid epidemic.

What happens when a church uses all of their space and resources for God’s mission? Not only does the community experience renewal, but so does the congregation!

A Reinvigorated Church

United Community Church of Morrisville VT has been reinvigorated. Even as missional engagement has soared, worship attendance—both in person and online—has increased while congregational giving—both plate giving and missional giving—has grown by 36%!

The miracles haven’t stopped there. Since completing Creating a Culture of Renewal®, Rev. Becca applied for and was awarded a multi-year development grant in the amount of $10,000 a year for the next three years that will continue to fund the Community Resource Hub. The church also responded to area flooding by becoming the go-to place for resources. This opened the doors to additional disaster relief grants and donations in the amount of $17,000.

Let’s look at the four principles Rev. Becca used during her time in Creating a Culture of Renewal® to achieve success.

Principle 1: Grow in Self-Awareness

To grow as a leader, one must know one’s strengths and weaknesses. In Creating a Culture of Renewal®, we use the Everything DiSC® suite of profiles. Rev. Becca was able to use this valuable assessment to gain insight into her communication style. During her first year in Creating a Culture of Renewal® as she grew in self-awareness, she could tailor her approach to better relate to her team. That includes those with strong personalities that had caused friction in the past. “I found knowing the DiSC styles of my group to be a very helpful way to get to know the key people at church,” reflects Rev. Becca, “Skills like people reading and understanding congregational culture were also assets, especially as I got to know a new congregation in my first year. I was worried about starting CCR at the right or wrong time. But there is no wrong time.”

Principle 2: Move People to Dream Like Jesus

Creating a church improvement plan is often as far as most congregations get when thinking about vision. But United Community Church of Morrisville VT, with the leadership of Rev. Becca, dared to dream like Jesus.

Their vision was to create a community hub that would address systemic issues. They wanted to reduce poverty-related suffering and create equitable access to services. At the same time, they realized that “an empty church is not a sacred use of space.” Instead, they dared to use their building to co-create miracles with God for others.

A Jesus-sized vision for the community is not an easy task. But Rev. Becca has shown that when Christian leaders clearly understand their purpose the result makes a lasting difference.

Principle 3: Connect Impact and Funding

Often, churches have a finite view of money for missions. But United Community Church of Morrisville VT’s strong vision unified the congregation and community and drew external support. Rev. Becca and her team found the resources to help those who may have been passed over by other organizations. “Through the partnerships and connections we made by casting this vision and seeking alignment with it,” Rev. Becca adds, “we submitted the grant application with a letter of support signed by 12 community partner organizations and 4 interfaith clergy. This huge demonstration of alignment and buy-in from a wide community was essential to our being awarded the grant.”

Their success highlights the importance of connecting with outside resources to help fund efforts for the church.

Principle 4: Embrace Change

Authentic Christian leadership involves trusting in the provision and faithfulness of God. Even in the midst of intense change. A significant principle that Rev. Becca firmly held onto was the necessity to embrace change. The onset of the pandemic brought unforeseen challenges, and adapting to the new normal was not mere choice but necessity. Rather than viewing these changes as obstacles, Rev. Becca saw them as opportunities to innovate and reimagine how the church could serve and connect with its community. Her flexible approach allowed the church to continue its mission under changing circumstances, reinforcing the idea that embracing change is about finding new avenues for growth and community service.

Certified Renewalists Make a Difference

We’re so proud of Rev. Dr. Becca Girrell and the United Community Church of Morrisville VT. Together they have exemplified vision and leadership with grace, courage, and humility. They are an inspiring reminder of the power of God’s presence in our lives, no matter what challenges we face. It’s also a reminder that Certified Renewalists make a difference.

If you want to experience the same kind of transformation and create a culture of renewal in your congregation and community, consider registering for a free How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal® seminar. Through Creating a Culture of Renewal®, you can empower people, love your community, and dare to dream like Jesus to transform the world. Let 2024 be your year of transformation!

Is This Church Ready for Rebuilding?

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Jun 23, 2023

As I worshiped on a recent Sunday morning, I couldn’t help but ponder the question of whether this church, which I’d been attending for over a decade, was ready for rebuilding.

I genuinely appreciate this church. It boasts an excellent downtown location and is filled with wonderful people. However, it has experienced numerous changes: the dismissal of long-time musicians, a well-liked pastor with a hidden addiction, frequent pastoral appointment changes, and the pandemic. While the church once held three services a week, it now only offers one. Many familiar faces have disappeared.

So, can this church rebuild? The answer is both yes and no.

Yes, this church can rebuild if:

The church is willing to SIMPLIFY.

Cut the dead weight: ditch any church ministries without a leader. Lacking a champion, many ministries need help to survive. If the person in charge is no longer available or has lost interest, and nobody else is stepping up, it’s time to say goodbye. If that ministry isn’t serving the church’s purpose and vision, then you might be better off without it. Creating a Culture of Renewal® participant, Pastor Lisa Anderson, saw a boost in attendance just by choosing the right ministries for her church. Plus, she’s got a new Young Adults class in the works and a preschool program that’s already a bona fide hit. Sometimes simplifying is not about doing less, but more about doing something different that will have a better result.

The church embraces SOCIETY.

Don’t let your church get stuck in isolation! Connecting with your community and drawing in those who haven’t heard of your church is crucial. Pastor Lisa took the initiative to open up events like mom group meet-ups, Valentine’s Day dinners, and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations to everyone. Partnering with local businesses and organizations can help you spread the word beyond your walls. It’s all about creating an inclusive environment that welcomes people of all beliefs and backgrounds.

However, it is not just about embracing society; the quality of relationships within your church matters. Pastor Lisa had several significant conversations and interactions that marked a relationship shift. These included discussing disaffiliation, looking at where the church is currently, and celebrating successes together.

The church cultivates SPIRITUALITY.

People are deeply hungry for spirituality that makes a difference. Let prayer and Bible study move you beyond a discussion about God, or a rehearsal of beliefs, into the realm of experiencing God. Getting out of the four walls and into nature can help, too. It’s easy for church life to stray into the mundane. Too much focus on budgets and buildings can tempt you to forget the miraculous. Don’t allow that to happen.

Pastor Lisa focused on prayer, making the church more intentional in writing prayers out and opening the church every week for people to come and pray, providing scripture for reflection.

Ready for Rebuilding?

If the church is willing to simplify its activities, embrace society, and cultivate spirituality, it has a good chance of rebuilding.

However, rebuilding will only be attainable with one more crucial element in place.

It’s not money, younger people, or an ideal location.

The most critical element for rebuilding is a willingness to dream like Jesus. To rebuild sustainably, the church needs a big, bold, God-sized vision – compelling and risky enough to require growth in faith, interdependence, and partnership with God. Only a vision of this magnitude will draw people into the rebuilding phase.

If you are ready to rebuild, join me for my upcoming seminar, “How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®,” where, together, we’ll look at what it takes to build a sustainable ministry and create an atmosphere where renewal can occur.

Or join me for a personal consultation and learn how you, like Pastor Lisa, can become a vital part of our Creating a Culture of Renewal® journey. Let the transformation begin!

Has the Mission of the Church Changed?

by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Jun 6, 2023

In the aftermath of a global pandemic, many churches are reconsidering and redefining their mission. They’ve shifted their focus, bringing the church’s mission into a more tangible and purpose-driven outlook.

But, has the mission of the church really changed? There are two answers to that question. First answer: no. Second answer: yes. Let’s dive into this conundrum, starting with the “no.”

As followers of Jesus, we are guided by his call to action—the Great Commission. Jesus declared, “I have authority over all things in heaven and on earth. So, go and lead people unto me, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach them to follow everything I have taught you. Be assured; I will be with you always, even until the end of time.”

Seems pretty straightforward. We are to go far and wide to make disciples, baptize, and pass on what we have learned from Jesus. This is a word-of-mouth endeavor authorized by Jesus himself. In all the centuries since Matthew first wrote these words, these marching orders have not changed.

What has changed, though, is how we make disciples. Due to the pandemic, the current state of the church, disaffiliations, and political disputes, we have had to innovate how we reach people.

It’s no surprise that how we interpret the Great Commission has changed, however, many churches and leaders are not adapting. As a coach and consultant, I work with church leaders at all different stages. Trust me, I know some churches and leaders are not changing, but others are. Pastor Scott Himel is one leader piloting change and Creating a Culture of Renewal® in his local church. Pastor Scott was dealing with issues surrounding insider/outsider culture, achieving success in the church’s outreach, and anxieties from his congregants about returning to in person worship. On top of that, his church was facing a $34,000 shortfall in its annual budget.

However, with some creativity and intentionality, he was able to turn it around.

The Myth that Nothing Should Change

Just because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and consistently doesn’t mean how we share the Gospel remains the same. It has to change with the times. In the early days of George Whitefield and John Wesley’s preaching, they took their message directly to colliers or coalminers and gathered people in bands and classes to grow in covenantal Christian relationships. Today, people watch YouTube videos or Facebook Live for spiritual sustenance.

The misconception that the church should remain static disregards the need to adapt to a constantly evolving society. Pastor Scott is an example of a church leader who saw the value of creative adaptation.

Volunteers are not just the people you see in the pews on Sunday mornings; sometimes, God has a bigger vision! When he struggled to find dependable and dedicated volunteers, Pastor Scott didn’t give up. Instead, he appointed a remote church member to coordinate volunteer recruitment. This innovative approach not only helped his church thrive; he notes that the volunteers are seeing the missional significance of their service.

It’s Not About Making Your Church Better

Today, many congregations live out disciple-making by focusing on strengthening their church and attracting people to it. In this model, a big, busy, active church equals disciple-making and is seen as the fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission. I call this model “the church improvement plan”.

There is nothing inherently wrong with this model; in years past, the church improvement plan of disciple-making worked well. Those years, however, were well over even before the pandemic began. The steady decline of active church participation over the last five to seven decades points to that reality.

But because this model has been so ingrained in the culture of many congregations, it has been hard to let it go. Or to envision what is next. But if you don’t spend time discovering what is next, you will neglect new ways of implementing the Great Commission.

Getting caught up in the grand plan for improving the church is easy, but even small changes can have a significant impact. Pastor Scott recognized this and found that even minor adjustments can lead to a remarkable increase in engagement. As part of his work in Creating a Culture of Renewal®, he launched a new stitchers group which has attracted several women and has seen attendance at the Lay Leader’s once-a-month Coffee grow.

But it’s not just about these visible actions. Behind the scenes, conversations are happening about how the church can provide more opportunities for people to experience a sense of belonging. These conversations highlight the importance of creating a community that nurtures relationships, fosters dialogue, and offers an open space for spiritual growth.

How Do We Make Disciples Today?

As we navigate the post-pandemic world, the question of how to make disciples remains at the forefront of the church’s mission. There are three key areas that we can focus on to move forward: developing fresh expressions, keeping hybrid connections alive, and refreshing our leadership skills.

Initiatives like “Pub Theology” or “Bible and Beer” meetings offer unique opportunities to connect with people and deepen their spirituality in non-traditional settings. Nature, too, can provide a very spiritual setting for gathering. Hiking, camping, talking around a campfire – all of these can bring people together who might be reluctant to meet in a more traditional church environment. Being creative can allow us to meet people where they are and lead them into discipleship through meaningful relationships.

The pandemic has shown us that we don’t need buildings to be the church. By keeping hybrid connections alive, we can continue to connect with people from all over the world. This allows us to break geographical barriers and build fellowship across state lines, regional boundaries, denominations, and leadership roles.

Pastor Scott’s remote volunteer recruitment initiative highlights the importance of refreshing your leadership skills in these times. Staying relevant and connected requires us to learn new ways to navigate relationships, up our emotional intelligence, and adapt to meet people where they are. As Pastor Scott has shown, we can create a vibrant and inclusive community by embracing change and adopting innovative approaches.

If you’re overwhelmed by the challenges facing your church community, know you’re not alone. With creativity, intentionality, and openness, you can transform your ministry and connect with people in new and meaningful ways. To learn more about how to do just that, join me for my upcoming free webinar on “How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®.” We’ll explore practical strategies for achieving success and building a culture of renewal to your church ministry.

Together, let’s take the first step towards creating thriving church communities that truly reflect the love and grace of God. Reach out for a one-on-one conversation to discover how you can join me on this transformation journey!

Adapted from “Forging a New Path: Moving the Church Forward in a Post-Pandemic World”, Rebekah Simon-Peter, Market Square Books, 2022.

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