4 Ways to Strengthen Family Bonds in Church This Summer

4 Ways to Strengthen Family Bonds in Church This Summer

by | Apr 9, 2024

Summer is just around the corner, and you know what that means – schedules loosen up, vacations get booked, and keeping families connected to the church can feel like a juggling act. But fear not, leaders! Summer presents a fantastic opportunity to strengthen family bonds in church. And nurture faith in a fun, relaxed way.

In this blog I will offer 4 ways to strengthen family bonds in church this summer. These  ideas for family ministry cater to all ages and are good for churches large and small. We’ll explore activities that are easy on the budget, flexible for busy schedules, and most importantly, create lasting memories that connect families to each other and their faith.

But first, let’s take a look at one myth that might get you down.

 

What if We Don’t Have Many Families in Church?

You may think that because not many families attend your church that you can’t strengthen family bonds in faith this summer. That’s not true. Family configurations may have changed, but families are still looking for ways to have fun together. The difference between one or two members of a family coming to church and the rest of the gang showing up, is often just the difference between one or two invitations.

Encouraging your congregation to reach out and invite family members that they may have lost touch with can be a great way to promote renewal within their family connections. While at the same time you’re creating renewal within your church.

With that in mind, let’s get down to the 4 specific ways you can strengthen family bonds in church this summer.

 

Shake Up Your Sundays

Let’s face it, the traditional Sunday service format might not always hold the attention of restless summer minds. Here’s how to inject some fresh energy:

  • Themed Worship Services Pick a summery theme like “God’s Creation” or “Fruits of the Spirit” and tailor the music, sermon, and children’s message to the theme. You could even have a nature walk after service where families can explore God’s handiwork.
  • Family-Friendly Music Incorporate upbeat, contemporary songs during worship that families can sing along to. Think about inviting a youth band to perform for a special summer service.
  • Interactive Sermons Instead of a lengthy lecture, consider an interactive sermon where families participate in activities or discussions. You could use object lessons, ask thought-provoking questions, or even have families create short skits based on the Bible story.

 

Beyond the Walls: Building Community Fun

Summer is all about getting outdoors and enjoying the beautiful weather. Here are some ideas to take your ministry outdoors:

  • Family Campout This is a classic! Pitch tents on the church lawn, tell stories, roast marshmallows, and gaze at the stars. Encourage families to share favorite Bible verses or sing hymns around the fire.
  • Community Service Day Organize a family service project at a local food bank, animal shelter, or park clean-up. Not only will this instill a sense of giving back, but families can work together and bond while serving their community.
  • Summer Games Night Host a fun-filled evening with classic yard games like frisbee, volleyball, or a sack race. Throw in a potluck dinner where families contribute dishes, and you’ve got a recipe for summer fun and fellowship.

 

Creative Activities for All Ages

Let’s not forget the importance of activities that cater to different age groups. Here are some ideas that spark creativity and connect families in faith:

  • Family Art Night Set up a space with paints, crayons, and construction paper. Let families create artwork together. Hang the creations in the church hallway for a beautiful display of faith and family. Welcome knitted and crocheted items as well.
  • Bible Scavenger Hunt Hide clues around the church grounds based on Bible stories. Families work together to decipher the clues and learn new things about their faith in a fun, interactive way.
  • Cooking Class with a Twist This is a great option for families with seniors and teenagers. Choose a recipe that reflects a theme from the Bible, like “Manna from Heaven” bread or a “Feeding the Multitude” pasta dish. While cooking, discuss the significance of the story and how it translates to everyday life.

 

Reaching Out to Busy Families

We understand that summer schedules can get crazy. Here are some ideas to reach out to families who might not be able to attend regular events:

  • Weekly Family Devotional Ideas Put together a list of short Bible readings, discussion questions, and simple activities that families can do together at home during the week. Share this list electronically or in a printed handout.
  • Summer Movie Nights Host a movie night on the church lawn with a projector and a screen. Choose movies that have positive messages that connect with faith themes. Offer popcorn and drinks for a relaxed family evening.
  • “Faith on the Go” Backpacks Create backpacks filled with age-appropriate Bible stories, coloring books, crayons, and small toys with faith-based messages. These backpacks can be borrowed by families for road trips, picnics, or anytime they need a little faith boost on the go.

Remember, the key is to keep faith fun, engaging, and accessible! By offering a variety of activities throughout the summer, you can create a welcoming environment where families feel comfortable connecting with each other, nurturing their faith, and building lasting memories.

Renewing family connections and building bonds with the community are important steps to take in the process of creating renewal within your congregation or ministry. Creating a Culture of Renewal® graduates have not only grown their congregations and seen sizeable increases in giving but have positively impacted their communities and spread renewal beyond the four walls of their churches. Learn more about how to make renewal happen for your congregation, families, and community, by joining me in a free seminar, How Christian Ministries Are Achieving Success.

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Earth Rise and the Power of Resurrection

Earth Rise and the Power of Resurrection

by | Mar 26, 2024

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth in the Northern Hemisphere. As the earth wakes up from its winter slumber, new life bursts forth everywhere. Spring is the perfect backdrop to the Christian celebration of Easter. The 40 Day Lenten season that leads to Easter begins with short days and chilly weather. It culminates in warmer, light-filled days of spring with a joyous celebration of Resurrection: the triumph of life and love over death and darkness. The natural processes of the Earth and the spiritual message of Easter seem to be intimately connected.

However, the Earth and Easter are even more closely connected than they seem. It’s not just the calendar that connects them; it is God’s uplifting presence that unite the two. Let’s take a closer look at Earth Rise and the Power of Resurrection.

The Heavens and the Earth Reflect God’s Love

In the Book of Genesis, God creates the heavens and the earth over six days, and declares each day good, even very good.  (Genesis 1:31). God’s Creation is fruitful, diverse, and complex; it sustains a vast variety of life. From the towering mountains to the tiniest wildflowers to the multitude of stars in the sky, to the human family—all of Creation reflects God’s love. Like the Creation itself, this love is uplifting and enduring.

As much as we feel God’s presence in the Creation, it’s not until you get a picture of the whole of the Earth in the Heavens that you realize just how magnificent is God’s creation, and God’s love. For humanity as a whole, that day came in 1968.

 

Earth Rise and Resurrection

In 1968, the Apollo 8 mission sent astronauts around the moon. As the astronauts emerged from the dark side of the moon, they were greeted by an unexpected sight. They saw the Earth rising over the moon like a brilliant blue and white marble, set against the blackness of space. This awe-inspiring image, captured in the photograph dubbed “Earth Rise,” has had a profound impact on our spiritual understanding of God’s creation.

Seeing ourselves as inhabitants of a single, fragile planet fostered a sense of global community and a newfound respect for diverse cultures and religions. Interfaith dialogue flourished as we realized our shared connection to Earth. First time protections for the Earth were born. Earth Day, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and even the Environmental Protection Agency were all launched as a result of this stunning view of Earth. Shortly thereafter the war in Vietnam ended. All of this was influenced by the views that came back from space.

The concept of “heaven” also took on new meaning. The promise of a “new heaven and new earth” began to be seen not as an afterlife destination but as a future where heaven and Earth are reconciled; where people live in peace with one another in the here and now.

The Easter message of Resurrection resonates even more deeply when viewed through this lens. Salvation isn’t just about going to heaven after death; it’s about creating a heaven here on Earth, a world filled with harmony between God, creation, and humanity.

 

Showing Our Love Back to God

Through the Creation we experience God’s love and nearness. The sunrise, a babbling brook, a field of wildflowers – all these things bring joy and wonder to those who experience them. We, too, can show our love for God’s creation by cherishing and protecting it. Loving and caring for one another and for the Earth demonstrates our respect for our one shared home. Rejoice in the beauty of the earth, yes. Pray for the earth and her peoples, yes. Reduce, reuse, and recycle, yes. Also, pay attention to industrial and energy processes that impact the earth, and harm the climate. Find alternatives to war. In all these ways, we show our love for God, our respect for Resurrection, and our gratitude for this beautiful earth we call home.

 

A Time for Celebration

As we celebrate the Easter season, let us also give thanks for the wonder of God’s creation and our place within it. As Martin Luther said, “Our Lord has written the promise of Resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime.” Let us show our love for God by becoming better stewards of Heaven and Earth. Read more about how to do this in Green Church: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice! and 7 Simple Steps to Green Your Church. Or reach out for a personal conversation on how to develop your vision of a new heaven and a new earth.

Happy Easter!

 

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

4 Ways to Make the Best of the Next Crisis

4 Ways to Make the Best of the Next Crisis

by | Mar 18, 2024

The past four years have forever put to rest the notion that churches can’t flex and adapt. In fact, the pandemic showed that churches could successfully pivot on a dime. Increased adaptability, resilience, and creativity were all positive outcomes. For this reason, many churches did not suffer the losses that might have been expected during such drastic change. We’re not done with crisis, though. We have a contentious presidential election before us, the impacts of AI, and ongoing structural inequities. The second largest Protestant denomination in the US (the UMC) recently lost 25% of its churches during a split. How can you be ready for the next calamity? Read on for the 4 ways to make the best of the next crisis.

 

Are the Best Days Behind You?

Before I share the 4 ways to make the best of the next crisis, let’s address one persistent stumbling block, head on. This stumbling block is the belief that crisis means the best days are behind you. That the future is no longer hopeful. And that it’s all downhill from here. This belief becomes a roadblock to recovery. It prevents you from seeing new opportunities and unexpected openings, or to sense God’s blessing around you.

 

We Had Entered Into the Best Days of Our Ministry Yet

I hate to admit it, but when the pandemic shutdowns first began it felt like the end of the world to me. How will we get through this when community is what we most need, I wondered? How will my ministry survive when we have depended on in-person gatherings? I was quickly losing heart. But I began to speak to friends who were starting new jobs, getting promotions, and even moving across country. It was a jarring sense of abundance amidst a narrowing of my own vision. It prompted me to catalogue the following guidelines. My team and I met, and figured out a way to put everything online. And we had entered into the best days of our ministry yet.

Here are the four guidelines that we followed, that allowed us to not only survive, but thrive, in the midst of very tough times.

 

4 Ways to Make the Best of the Next Crisis

1) Learn from The Past

During the pandemic, many churches quickly moved online. They distinguished between owning a building and being the church. Church leaders and members expanded their sense of agency and acted quickly in the face of need. In fact, the pandemic did for congregations what they could not do for themselves. In a pinch, churches finally made the changes that they had needed to make for decades.

 

 2) Reframe the Negative

A pandemic seems like a negative. Same with waves of disaffiliations and the loss of congregations. Same with contentious presidential politics. And AI. And persistent inequities. But what if each of these crises actually carry the seeds of innovation? What if each of these challenges carry within them the genesis of blessing? When you actively choose to reframe the negative, the positive can appear that much sooner. Being on the lookout for blessings allows you to innovate with speed. This is part of tapping into Jesus’ miracle mindset.

 

3) Build on New Strengths

A leader that I coach had to navigate lawsuits, file appeals, and appear in court as disaffiliations took on dimensions he couldn’t have anticipated. This leader is tired, yes, but stronger and smarter than ever. Each crisis will draw on skills you already have, even as you build new strengths.

 

 4) Take Ownership

In a crisis, it can be easy to feel like a victim. Especially when things aren’t going your way. The best way to get through a crisis is to take ownership of what is yours to do. No, you can’t change all the circumstances around you. But you can take ownership of your feelings, your mindset, your reactions, and your prayer life. This will take you a long way toward being more effective and more resilient.

 

Next Steps

As we look towards Holy Week, remember the God of miracles. Jesus caused the blind to see, healed the leper, and cast out demons. Your crisis is not big enough to stop the God of miracles. Unless you insist on staying stuck.

As we approach the days ahead, let us grow in resilience as we practice 4 ways to make the best of the next crisis. Cultivating resilience in your congregation and your life is possible. It calls for conscious leadership. Come to Elevate Your Ministry: An Introduction to Conscious Leadership to learn about the importance of mastering your mindset, awakening your spirituality, and becoming an intentional visionary.

 

If you want input on your ministry, click here for a free one-on-one 45-minute Discovery Session with me.

 

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

3 Ways You Can Adopt Jesus’ Miracle Mindset

3 Ways You Can Adopt Jesus’ Miracle Mindset

by | Mar 14, 2024

Jesus was best known as a miracle-worker. In fact, the Gospels report that Jesus performed a total of 37 miracles in 3 short years. And those are just the miracles that were recorded. That’s more than one miracle per month. Wouldn’t it be great if your church could be known for miracles too? I’m not talking about TV evangelist-style miracles. I’m talking about your church being a place where the seemingly miraculous becomes a regular occurrence. The Spirit moves during worship. Bible studies transform lives. Prayers are answered. New worshipers return again and again. Baptisms outnumber burials. The community turns to you as a trusted partner. Money is available in abundance. Vision sets the agenda for meetings. For most churches, this state of affairs would indeed be miraculous. In this article I’m going to explore 3 ways you can adopt Jesus’ miracle mindset so that renewal becomes a reality.

 

Why Do Churches Lose a Miracle Mindset?

Survival has become a key feature of church culture in decline, along with resignation, resistance, and reluctance. That’s because they have let Jesus’ miracle mindset lapse. They wouldn’t mind if a miracle happened, they just don’t orient themselves toward participating in it.  The further away a church is from being dream-driven and vision-led, the further away it is from Jesus’  miracle mindset. A culture of renewal, on the other hand, is a culture that is identified by miracles.

 

The Myth that Faith is No Longer Required

A myth that is crippling church vitality is the myth that faith is no longer required when it comes to decision-making or missional activity. Or that the miracles are unrealistic. The inherent problem with these myths is that people rise to the level of expectation you set for them. So if faith is no longer required for the effective functioning of the church, or miracles are deemed impossible, then you have effectively lowered expectations to a comfortable level. That spells death for vitality because lowered expectations means that people have nothing to rise to. Let go of this myth before it cripples the church.

 

Adopt a Miracle Mindset

Last month, I was speaking with a group of clergy eager to be encouraged in this season of stress. One question I was asked has stuck with me. “If you could do just one thing to help a church get ready to change, what would you do?” I thought about it and said, “I would adopt a miracle mindset. A miracle mindset is what helps us align with Jesus’ intentions. Talk about the miracles. Pray about the miracles. Lift up the miracles in worship and in prayer.” This isn’t the answer the clergy expected. However my answer spurred a lot of discussion about how the church has lost hope in the God of Miracles.  One pastor commented that she wanted to do a sermon series on Jesus’ miracles, stating that as a more progressive congregation they hadn’t given the miracles much thought lately. I get it. However, no matter your views on science, faith, and biblical inerrancy, returning to the realm of the miraculous is a deep reservoir of inspiration from which to draw hope and renewal.

 

3 Ways You Can Adopt Jesus’ Miracle Mindset

  1. Stop complaining. Complaining signals that things aren’t good, that you are dissatisfied, that things aren’t working and that they aren’t going to work out. The trouble with complaining is that you will not notice the movement of God or the unfolding miracles around you. Please note that when I say to stop complaining, I’m not saying don’t address problems like racism or sexism. But complaining isn’t the same as taking action. It’s just making noise. As one pastor aptly noted, “There comes a time in which critical thought unfettered leads to cynicism.”

 

  1. Personalize the Miracle Stories. Choose 3 miracles of Jesus and personalize them, inserting either your name or the name of the church for the protagonist. Listen for how the miracle speaks to you in a new way. Let Jesus invite you into the story, and prompt you on next steps.

 

  1. Say Yes to the Prompting of the Spirit. One way I know that God is inviting me to participate in the miraculous is when I get a seemingly random thought. I used to shoo these thoughts away, considering them annoyances. Once I began to pay attention to them, I was able to participate with God in some greater unfolding.

 

NEXT STEPS

Finding a new aspiration for your church is possible, and it doesn’t mean lowering expectations about faith and miracles. But it does call for Conscious Leadership. Come to Elevate Your Ministry: An Introduction to Conscious Leadership to learn about the importance of mastering your mindset, awakening your spirituality, and becoming an intentional visionary.

If you want input on your ministry, click here for a free one-on-one 45-minute Discovery Session with me.

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

The 3 S’s of Re-Building Community

The 3 S’s of Re-Building Community

by | Mar 6, 2024

Welcome to the next normal in which people are more disconnected and more polarized than in previous generations. And more lonely. Yet the need for belonging is at an all-time high. That’s why I have been exploring what I call the 3 S’s of Re-Building Community: being social, being spiritual, and being of service.

 

The Problem of Institution

You may have heard that the church as an institution is over. After all, the nones and dones are increasing while the number of religiously affiliated are decreasing. Generally, giving, worship attendance, and missional engagement have dipped post pandemic. Pundits tell us that the church as we know it is over. Maybe. Maybe not.

 

The Myth You Don’t Have What it Takes

You may believe there is nothing you can do to attract and serve people. But, don’t believe the myth that the church doesn’t have what it takes to reach people. Nothing could be further from the truth.

 

I Have Seen Vitality Surge

For the last 13 years I have been empowering church leaders to create cultures of renewal. In their ministry settings, I have seen leaders create supportive and social spiritual communities. These communities are combating the loneliness pandemic. Happiness is expanding and stronger social bonds are being built. I have also seen vitality surge when churches move from talking about God to incorporating direct experiences with the divine.

Finally, we see giving, worship attendance, and missional engagement all go up when you engage with your community. It creates a culture of renewal.

 

Why the 3 S’s of Re-Building Community

It’s Biblical:

Our call to build community is woven into the very fabric of our faith. The Great Commandment calls us to love God with all our being and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This love, by its nature, compels us to connect with others, and to support one another.

Additionally, the Great Commission instructs us to “go and make disciples… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Building communities allows us to fulfill this commission more effectively, offering a space for learning, growth, and spiritual guidance.

 

It’s Cultural:

This model of rebuilding community resonates deeply with today’s culture, especially millennials. Millennials sometimes get labeled as disinterested in traditional institutions like the church. The reality is more nuanced. They may not seek out spirituality in the same way as previous generations, yet millennials crave meaningful connections, personal growth, and a sense of purpose. Millennials are also passionate about making a positive impact on the world. They also often face social isolation despite being actively connected online.

Invite millennials into your spiritual community to build genuine in-person relationships with like-minded individuals. This counteracts the loneliness and isolation commonly reported by this generation.

 

It’s Workable:

Alcoholics Anonymous has been incredibly successful in building strong communities of support for its members using the 3 S’s of Re-Building Community. Churches can learn a lot from AA about how to build communities that are welcoming, supportive, and life-changing.

 

  1. Shared social time: AA groups provide opportunities for members to socialize and build relationships outside of structured meetings. This could involve attending picnics, going bowling, or simply grabbing coffee after a meeting.
  2. Deep focus on a spiritual path: While AA is not affiliated with any particular religion, it does emphasize the importance of a spiritual path. This shared focus on spirituality provides a sense of purpose and direction for members.
  3. Helping newcomers and serving the community: AA places a strong emphasis on helping newcomers and giving back to the community. Newcomers are warmly welcomed and sponsored by experienced members who provide guidance and support. This focus on service to others fosters a sense of shared responsibility and strengthens the sense of belonging.

 

Next Steps

This simplified approach to rebuilding community is easy to implement. Find the ways you are already being social, being spiritual, and being of service. And imbue them with extra intentionality.

The more you increase engagement in the 3 S’s of Re-Building Community, the stronger your community will be. But there is more to leadership than doing. These times call for Conscious Leadership. Come to Elevate Your Ministry: An Introduction to Conscious Leadership to learn about the importance of mastering your mindset, awakening your spirituality, and becoming an intentional visionary.

If you want input on your ministry, click here for a free one-on-one 45-minute Discovery Session with me.

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

The Hidden Healing Power of Serving Others

The Hidden Healing Power of Serving Others

by | 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.

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.