by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Oct 19, 2020
George Bullard’s pivotal work, The Life Cycle and Stages of a Congregation, reinforces what the author of Proverbs once said, “Without a vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV). It turns out this proverb holds true for churches, too. Bullard demonstrates that...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Oct 14, 2020
U.S. law is deeply embedded with systemic racism. It is also deeply embedded in the history of faith communities. That’s why, since the murder of George Floyd, I have been hosting “The Uncomfortable Conversation Series.” In these hour-long...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Oct 5, 2020
People are on edge with each other, hypervigilant, buffeted in a sea of negativity. Clergy colleagues report that otherwise stable church folks are having meltdowns and launching into attack mode. My husband, a cordial golfer, returned from the links last night...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Aug 11, 2020
Most of my days are structured and filled to the brim with things to do. While I enjoy them, and get a lot done, one key element is missing: free-flowing creative time with God. This week, I am spending time away, working on a writing project. In this case, away...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Jul 22, 2020
Racism is deeply intertwined with law, custom, and even religion. It’s so pervasive that it’s not always easy to identify, let alone dismantle. So constructive conversations about racism must be approached with emotional intelligence. Elsewhere I have written about...
by Rebekah Simon-Peter | Jul 14, 2020
Emotional intelligence is a soft skill often prized in the world of interpersonal relationships. Can it be used as a tool to dismantle something as hard and ingrained as systemic racism? My answer is a resounding yes. In fact, I don’t think that the structures,...
