How Long Will We Put Up with Mass Shootings?

How Long Will We Put Up with Mass Shootings?

by | Apr 19, 2023

In 1999, I was co-pastoring a church in Parker, Colorado when the Columbine shooting happened in the community next door. At that time, school shootings were relatively infrequent. It was wholly unbelievable that it had happened in our community. Even more unthinkable was that it would be the beginning of a decades-long battle, where these kinds of events became increasingly frequent.

The church was flooded with broken-hearted people who wanted to know why such a tragic event had taken place. We led a series of healing services in an attempt to deal with this devastating reality.

Pictures of the victims were in every newspaper and on every broadcast. I aimed to remember the name and story of each student and teacher who had been killed. I never thought I’d see the day where non-stop shootings made it impossible to remember all who have been lost.

And now, here we are. In a time and place where mass shootings have escalated to the point that we can’t keep up with the names, the numbers, even the cities, towns, or states where they happened.

 

The Intensifying Problem of Gun Violence

On a single day this month, April 2023, there were seven mass shootings in the United States.  So far this year, there have been more mass shootings than days. And if we keep going the way we’re going, nothing is going to change.

Do churches have a say in the matter? Can faith leaders weigh in on this? You may be afraid to speak up for fear of alienating gun rights activists. Instead of thinking in the categories that society dictates, like pro-gun and anti-gun, let’s place this issue in the context of the Gospel.

Here are some questions to ask: When it comes to mass shootings, what does love look like? What does good news look like? What does faithfulness look like? How do we love our neighbors as ourselves?

Our public spaces, once considered safe, are no longer. Mass shootings take place in schools, stores, medical clinics, and churches. Add to that nightclubs, festivals, synagogues, mosques, homes, and places of work. Now, horrifyingly, sweet sixteen birthday parties. How long will we in the faith community put up with mass shootings?

 

The Church’s Role in Gun Violence

My friend James, who pastors near Tulsa in Oklahoma, insists that the church can play a positive role in ending mass shootings. “Prayers are appreciated, but the best thing we can do is to put pressure on politicians to get real about addressing the root problems. These include inadequate mental health, lack of common-sense gun policies, the pervasive culture of hate and violence, and deflecting of responsibility.” James himself has preached on these issues and encouraged members of his community to take action.

I appreciate the way James uses his pastoral authority. His courage and clarity are a great example of the way churches can take action. After all, our baptismal vows call us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves, and to be a witness for the Gospel of good.

 

Next Steps

As part of my commitment to act, I’d like to offer some suggestions for next steps you can take today or in the coming week:

  • Create space for conversation in your ministry setting. Gun violence impacts everybody, and everybody is concerned, no matter what their answers are for how to deal with it.
  • Plan to preach a series on these topics.
  • Hit the streets, make calls to your congresspeople, write letters to the editor.  There are many organizations out there, many of them founded by survivors of mass shootings, working hard to change gun legislation and take positive steps in educating the public. Check them out and find concrete ways to take action.

Finally, come to my free workshop, How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal. Learn how you can create a culture of renewal in your ministry and in the community around you. Because creating a new culture is integral to creating a better world for us all.

 

Adapted, edited, and re-published from The Role of the Church in Gun Violence, Rebekah Simon-Peter, June 2022.

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Are You a Church Leader or a Church Manager?

Are You a Church Leader or a Church Manager?

by | Apr 11, 2023

Just because pastors and key laity are called leaders doesn’t mean we are practicing effective leadership. Take me, for example. By the time I graduated from the Iliff School of Theology in 1998, I had an M.Div. and an M.A.R with a healthy cumulative GPA of about 3.75. I had studied Hebrew, Greek, Old Testament, New Testament, theology, church history, preaching, worship, and Christian education. I learned how to read and interpret the scriptures, lead prayer, organize a bible study, serve communion, baptize babies, visit the sick, bury the dead, counsel the distressed, call meetings, administer the life of the church, and under duress, consult the Book of Discipline.

I was prepared to manage the church, but not to truly lead the church.

 

What’s the Difference Between a Manager and a Leader?

A manager helps an organization survive. A leader innovates so it thrives. A manager dots the i’s and crosses the t’s. A leader generates a brand new vocabulary. A manager makes sure everything is in order. A leader envisions a brand new order. Managers tend to people and processes. Leaders build up new people and craft new processes. If managing is sufficient when things are going well, leadership is crucial when things are not going well.

What I learned in seminary was sufficient for when things are going well. But we all know that things haven’t been going well. While I was honing and expanding my skills, there was a larger dynamic at play: a culture of decline in the church. Not just my church—but the denomination as a whole, mainline Christianity as a whole. Since the early 70’s, we have seen a significant loss of membership, attendance, giving, and influence. At the same time, we’ve seen a rise in the ranks of church alumni, the spiritual but not religious.

 

5 Things Church Leaders Need to Know

I pastored local churches for more than 12 years. By the time I left, I was frustrated and burned out—even with all the love and good ministry that had transpired. What happened to the grand calling I had? Why was the church in decline even though I put everything I had into it? In the 15 years since, I’ve immersed myself in mastering the principles and practices of effective leadership in the church. Here’s what I’ve discovered, including 5 confessions of my own.

 

  1. Leaders may be born, but even more than that, they are formed. Some of us naturally possess a personality style that others equate with “leader.” We get things done. We have an air of confidence. We connect with people. As important as those qualities are, though, they are not enough to constitute effective leadership. An effective leader doesn’t do it all themself. They also know how to empower others to get things done. Jesus intentionally authorized and empowered those around him to do what he did. That’s why his movement is still alive, while the things I began in the local church most likely are not. I didn’t fully understand how to turn things over. Church leaders, it doesn’t matter if you’re a born leader or not; we can learn those skills. In fact, we must if we are to fulfill our callings.

 

  1. Effective leaders have high emotional intelligence. Self-awareness, empathy, motivation, social skill and self-regulation are five commonly accepted attributes of EQ. Jesus had all these qualities in spades. He knew himself. He had empathy for others. He understood what motivated others, and had the skill to move people in the direction he wanted to go. Finally, he knew how to regulate his own actions, motivations, and fears. The Gospel stories of his interactions with friend and foe alike illustrate his EQ.

While I had self-awareness and empathy, I wasn’t always clear on what motivated others, or how to move everyone in the direction I sensed God was calling us to. That means my ability to self-regulate was limited. I did what I knew how to do—persuade, cajole, inspire, push—trying harder and harder. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. I didn’t know sometimes people need facts and figures rather than emotion and inspiration. I didn’t know sometimes people need advance notice to figure things out and get on board.

Doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results is one definition of insanity. It’s a prescription for burnout, too.

 

  1. Church leaders can’t save the church, and shouldn’t try. Decline is bigger than we are. Instead of our sole focus being to boost giving, attendance, and baptisms, we need a focus that is larger than ourselves. That means keeping one eye on our current constituency and another on the needs and possibilities in the communities around us. If we attend to those things well, the church will likely thrive too.

Jesus had his eye on the Kingdom of God which required a complete re-focusing of spiritual and religious energies. Out of this vision emerged not only the creation of a brand-new movement now called Christianity, but a stronger, re-invented Judaism as well.

I took decline personally. I figured the answer was to do more, demand more, spend more time, and take less vacations. That didn’t work. It simply caused burnout. Decline is overcome with a bigger vision and a change in consciousness, not more effort.

 

  1. Leadership development for leaders is not an oxymoron or a redundancy. Most of us get 3-9 semester hours of leadership development in seminary or course of study. The rest of it comes from intentional continuing education. That’s how I became a leadership developer. Instead of slogging alone through years of nagging self-doubt, disempowerment and victimhood—like I had—I wanted to create a new conversation. So I developed what I learned into a useable, accessible format for others.

 

  1. The culture of decline cannot produce a culture of renewal. Because we church leaders—locally and nationally—are used to operating in a culture of decline, our thinking is unconsciously limited by that. We’re more used to scarcity than abundance.  It’s easier to tick off reasons why we can’t rather than reasons why we can. Effective leadership development is grounded in a different kind of culture. Creating a Culture of Renewal® requires a focus on Jesus’ own empowerment of us and the structures he employed to cultivate it. That includes high expectations, life-giving accountability, miracle-making, acknowledgement, and celebration.

 

Next Steps

I confess that I didn’t know any of this when I graduated seminary, or when I pastored three churches. I knew what didn’t work, but I couldn’t quite figure out what would work. That took lots of trial and error. In the 15 years since leaving local church ministry, fellow travelers have joined me on the journey and discovered their own path to effective leadership.

If you would like to learn how to step into greater leadership by becoming an emotionally intelligent, Jesus-empowered, visionary leader who can create a culture of renewal, join me for my free Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®!

 

Originally published August 2022.

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

How to Preach Holy Week Without Condemning Jews

How to Preach Holy Week Without Condemning Jews

by | Mar 29, 2023

As Holy Week approaches, many Christians prepare themselves to reflect on the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, this solemn occasion also carries a painful history of violence and persecution toward the Jewish people. For centuries, the church has used Holy Week as an opportunity to condemn and blame the Jews for the death of Jesus, resulting in anti-Semitic attitudes and actions, often leading to violence and discrimination.

What the church has always called Good Friday was often Bad Friday for the Jewish people. This day often came with a need for protection from the violence, hatred, and discrimination stirred up by those who preach a message of “us” against “them” or messages centered on blaming, condemning, and punishing the Jewish people for Jesus’s death.

The current rise of anti-Semitic incidents worldwide reminds Christians that we must preach Holy Week with love, empathy, and understanding for all, especially the Jewish community. This blog post will explore how to preach Holy Week without condemning Jews and provide Christians with practical steps to promote respect and solidarity during this holy season.

 

Acknowledge the Historical Context

As Christians, we need to recognize and acknowledge the historical context behind the passion narratives in the Gospels. Jesus and his followers were Jewish, and the crucifixion story reflects the intra-Jewish conflict of that time.

The unfolding story of Jesus in the Gospels is not a question of Jews versus Christians or Christians versus Jews. It’s not even Jesus versus the Jewish people or the Jewish people versus Jesus. There is no “us versus them.” These were Jews attempting to be faithful to God amid tremendous social upheaval.

We must remember that the gospels are first a Jewish story- we are looking through a Jewish lens. This story is ultimately about the faithfulness of God.

 

Avoid Blaming or Condemning Jews

I’m a big movie buff. But when The Passion of the Christ, Mel Gibson’s controversial movie about the crucifixion of Jesus, came out on Ash Wednesday 2004, I decided against seeing it. I declined based on the violence and its potential anti-Jewish themes. I was in the minority in my circles; everyone else I knew flocked to see it. One morning a few weeks after it came out, I sat in the coffee shop over breakfast with other pastors in my little Wyoming town. Talk turned to the movie and the role of Jews in Christ’s death. “I don’t know why Jews are saying this movie is anti-Semitic. After all, they did do it. The Scriptures say so,” one Southern Baptist pastor flatly stated, shaking his head with a little laugh of disbelief.

His words hit me like a ton of bricks; how could he say that? Didn’t he realize how statements like his have been used against the Jewish people for centuries? Didn’t he know of the church’s brutal history of anti-Semitism, called “the longest hatred”? Didn’t he know about the trajectory of suffering words like he had launched, culminating in the Holocaust? He may not have known. If so, he wouldn’t have been alone. You are preaching to folks that may have minimal experience with Jews or Judaism- remember to set the stage so people are not going into the sermon with a completely false assumption.

In the past, the church has used the charge of deicide, or murder of God, as an opportunity to vilify, blame, and exact revenge on Jews. Thankfully that’s changing. Vatican II 1962–1965 Council and “Nostra Aetate,” of the Roman Catholic Church, helped address itself to the modern world and absolved the Jewish people of killing Jesus. It recognized Judaism as an ongoing, living religion to be respected rather than a sign of disobedience to God.

In much the same way, your task of preaching is sacred, and it must be done with great care. This is especially true when preaching about Jesus’ death during Holy Week. As we preach the gospel message of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension to glory, we must do so without blaming or condemning Jews. Instead, we should focus on our shared humanity in a broken world–and the hope that comes through a God who brings life from death.

 

Educate Ourselves and Others

Many Christians are unaware of the painful history of anti-Semitism and its impact on the Jewish community. We might think of this as something we are beyond as a nation, yet sadly, anti-Semitism is still very much alive. A recent Pew Research Center article entitled, “Anti-Jewish harassment occurred in 94 countries in 2020, up from earlier years.” They share that the number of countries with documented anti-Semitic incidents has almost doubled in the last ten years, surging from 51 to 89 between 2007 and 2018, according to a recent Pew Research Center study. 198 nations worldwide were examined for government or social harassment concerning religious freedom. The most troubling fact is that 94 countries witnessed hate-filled attacks against Jewish people in 2020, ranging from verbal abuse to cemetery vandalism and blame for the COVID pandemic.

With this as the backdrop, the church should use its voice to bring attention to this issue. We must educate ourselves and others about the history of Christian anti-Semitism and how we can work to create bridges between our communities. This could be done through interfaith dialogue, advocating for human rights, promoting peace-building initiatives in conflict areas, and how we speak during times like Holy Week about Jews. As Christian leaders, it is also essential that we actively educate our congregations about anti-Semitism and its impacts on people.

 

Pray for Peace and Unity

Finally, we can pray for peace and unity among all people, especially during Holy Week, when we reflect on Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice for humanity. Let’s pray for healing and reconciliation between Christians and Jews and with all people of faith and goodwill. Let’s pray for an end to anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred and discrimination.

As we approach Holy Week, remember the transformative message of Jesus’ love and compassion for all people. Let’s preach Holy Week with empathy, understanding, and love for all, including the Jewish community, who have suffered far too long from anti-Semitic attitudes and actions. Let’s commit to educating ourselves and others, collaborating with the Jewish community, and praying for peace and unity. We can build a better world rooted in justice, compassion, and love.

If you want to learn more about Jesus and the roots of faith in Jewish tradition, I urge you to pick up a copy of my book “The Jew Named Jesus: Discover the Man and His Message.”

 

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Should Gender Matter in Christianity?

Should Gender Matter in Christianity?

by | Mar 14, 2023

Several years ago, it made the news when fundamentalist preacher John MacArthur told the very popular evangelical Bible teacher, Beth Moore, to “go home”, putting on clear display his thoughts on women in church leadership. He warned that “empowering women makes weak men” and “weak men make everybody vulnerable to danger.”  Today, John MacArthur’s church is back in the spotlight, with news of the very real and tragic consequences of this type of sexist and disempowering teaching.

Studies around the world show that empowering women is the key to developing economies, family well-being, better nutrition, and equal rights. So, why is there still confusion about the role of women in churches with some denominations still not recognizing female clergy and leaders?

Rather than derail Christianity, the full participation of women in all aspects of Creation is the fulfillment of the Christian impulse.  A look at Judaism reveals why.

Judaism is built on the power of distinctions.  The creation stories exemplify the distinctions between the first six days and the other days of the week; between the sun, moon and stars; between plants and animals; and between humans and God.  The evening prayer in Judaism plays on those themes by glorifying the distinctions between night and day, and between sleep and activity. Havdalah, the blessing that ends the Sabbath, lauds the differences between holy and secular, and between Sabbath and the rest of the days of the week.  Ancient Jewish prayers even prompt men to pray with thanksgiving that they were not made a woman, a gentile or a slave.  Distinctions matter in Judaism.

Christianity goes in a decidedly different direction.  Rather than playing on distinctions and dualities, Paul has a vision of integration. “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28) Indeed, women play a major role in the Gospels.

This theme of unity and integration is further celebrated in the New Testament. Consider the story of Pentecost.  When the Spirit comes, all hear a unifying message in their own language. This unity is celebrated as people share in a common life, a common purse, and a common purpose.  Finally, we see in Revelation 7:9-10 that all tribes, peoples and languages have a common trajectory—unity within the oneness of God. 

So what’s with the controversy about gender distinctions, including the rejection by so many mainline Christian churches of our LGBTQ and transgendered brothers and sisters?  Why are confident and powerful female leaders treated differently than their male counterparts?

I wonder if the focus on gender isn’t indicative of deeper problems in the church. Like decline in worship, influence, and imagination.  Todd Anderson, a former District Superintendent in the West Ohio Conference, told me, “The church is only in decline where the status quo is enforced.”  He should know.  Every District Superintendent past and present is painfully aware of how the status quo stifles new life.  That’s why Todd worked across state lines, district lines, and conference lines to create new, experimental ministries. And they worked.

Decline is not a Christian value. The status quo is not a Christian value.  Women preaching, turning things upside down, is. That’s what lets new life in.

Interestingly, even Judaism itself has moved toward integration.  While distinctions still matter, female clergy are beginning to be ordained in the orthodox world. 

Bottom line:  Equality, leadership ability, and inclusion in the church should not be limited by gender.

Respecting and appreciating the value of each and every human being transcends gender.

 

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

6 Things Great Leaders Give Up for Lent

6 Things Great Leaders Give Up for Lent

by | Mar 7, 2023

Every year, Christians worldwide observe the season of Lent by giving up something for 40 days. This act of self-denial is meant to be a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. But what if we took this a step further and used Lent as an opportunity to focus on becoming better leaders? Refining our leadership draws us closer to Christ. Here are six things great leaders give up for Lent.

 

#1 Give up the need to be right

How often have you engaged in an argument, insisting on having your say, even when you knew you were wrong? As leaders, we must be able to admit when we’re wrong. Pride is a major obstacle to growth, both personally and professionally. So, let go of your need to always be right and instead focus on being teachable. A teachable spirit is one of the most important traits of a great leader.

Also if you are always right, it means others by definition are always wrong. That puts others in an untenable position. What if there is more than one way to look at things? When you give up the need to be right, you will discover new ways of looking at things.

 

#2 Give up having to be in control

As leaders, it’s a challenge for us to let go of control. We want things done a certain way, and we want them done now! But micromanaging only leads to frustration and resentment. This Lent, practice letting go of the reins and giving others the freedom to take charge. You might be surprised at how well they do! Great leaders manage teams who go on to carry out the vision and the mission even beyond their time with you.

Remember that you trained your leaders; the ultimate sign of respect is to trust and empower them to do their jobs. The goal of leadership is not to control but rather to encourage growth and development.

 

#3 Give up the need to be popular

Getting caught up in what other people think of us is easy—especially as leaders. We want people to like us; sometimes, we’ll go above and beyond to ensure that happens. But at what cost? This Lent, focus on being authentic to yourself, even if it makes some people unhappy. Being a true leader is not so much about what people think about you but what you think about yourself and how you ensure the health of the institution and the people you lead.

Being popular is often easy. Being faithful can be a lot harder.

 

#4 Give up the need to be busy

We’re always running from one thing to the next in today’s adrenalized society. Being busy doesn’t necessarily mean being more productive. It can mean the opposite. When we are too busy to reflect and be introspective, our decisions suffer, and we become less effective leaders.

In fact if we’re too busy being busy, we can forget the purpose of our work: to draw close to God, draw others close to God, and live the Kingdom way now.

This Lent, give up the need to be busy. Take some time for yourself—to rest, reflect, and recharge. You’ll come back refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes your way!

 

#5 Give up the need to have all the answers

As leaders, we’re expected to have all the answers, but, of course, that’s simply not possible. No one knows everything, and that’s okay. This Lent, practice being vulnerable and admitting when you don’t know something. It’ll make you more relatable and approachable as a leader.

I recently saw a talk by Sir Ken Robinson. In the video, he shares an experience of a time when he hosted an event with the Dalai Lama. When asked a question, the Dalai Lama paused and said, “I don’t know.”

This moment of humility was a powerful reminder to many in the audience to always be open to learning from others. Leadership is not about just having an answer. Those we lead might be the ones with some of the answers!  Listening and learning from others, including those we’re leading, are vital components to strong leadership.

 

#6 Give up trying to be perfect

Mistakes happen. They are part of the process of living and leading. Trying to be perfect could mean you are getting stuck in analysis paralysis—planning the perfect process or outcome before taking action. Planning for perfection means missing opportunities to bring good into the world now.

There’s a gift that comes from giving up on trying to be perfect – the gift of simply being. Perfection isn’t a realistic goal for anyone. Focus instead on letting the Spirit guide you and your people. Learning from any mistakes you make along the way will move you forward faster than dwelling on your lack of perfection.

 

What Great Leaders Get in Return for Giving up Illusions

When great leaders give up the six illusions—of being right, in control, popular, busy, having all the answers, and trying to be perfect—they get something inestimable in return: Christlikeness. Absent these illusions, Christ was simply and deeply connected to God, allowing God’s perfection to flow through him. Christlikeness is what the season of Lent is all about.

If you want your people to grow in the ways of Christ, lead by example and let go of these six illusions together. You will deepen your spiritual path as a congregation. And rise higher on Easter Morning.

This Lenten season, challenge yourself to give up something that will make you a better leader. Whether it’s giving up your need to be right or letting go of control, use this time as an opportunity for growth.

Who knows? You might find that these things are worth giving up permanently!

Learn more about the unique way we empower leaders by attending an upcoming online Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®.

 

 

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Last Minute Lent Planning

Last Minute Lent Planning

by | Feb 28, 2023

While Ash Wednesday has come and gone, it’s not too late to design a meaningful Lent. One that will help your congregation deepen their commitment to prayer, service, and mission. Consider this your guide for last minute Lent planning.

 

Keep it Simple

Since you are working on a last minute timetable for Lent, don’t worry about elaborate activities. Sometimes simple is best. Since Ash Wednesday and Holy Week provide natural bookends to Lent, consider one or two or three ways to engage the themes of Lent between those bookends.

For example, if you want your people to grow in service, you could organize a simple community project or a volunteer effort to focus on service during Lent. Gather needed goods for two weeks and deliver them on the third.

Or, if you want your members to dive deeper into Scripture study during Lent, organize a three-session Bible study or a two-part discussion group. Spread them out over the remaining weeks of Lent.  

Or even more simply, distribute a weekly scripture reading plan that centers around the scriptures you’ll be preaching on. Each week, ask congregants to write out the word or phrase that most stuck with them. Collect those words on slips of paper, or in the chat function of your online worship, and use them during a future time of prayer or praise.

Just because there are 40 days in Lent doesn’t mean churches need to plan 40 events or 40 days of programming. Doing one or two or three things well can be more effective than trying to do it all.

 

Encourage Participation

The more your people actively participate in the Lenten journey, the more meaningful it will be for them. Congregations also appreciate hearing different voices. Take advantage of every opportunity to invite involvement. Live announcements, email campaigns and social media posts create general awareness. But nothing replaces the effectiveness of a personal invitation.

Lent is for everybody, so be sure to invite children, youth, and adults. Don’t forget those who only participate online. This is also an excellent time to reach out to newcomers as well as those who have fallen away. Never make excuses or assumptions about people’s willingness to participate. Cast the net wide.

Feel like you don’t have enough time to cultivate a high level of involvement? Ask many people to do one simple thing together such as sing a new song that is practiced each week. If it has gestures, all the better. Or ask everyone to write out a prayer for a person in the larger community. You will wind up with prayers for teachers, home health aides, car mechanics, baristas, and homeless folks. On Easter Sunday you can celebrate this congregational initiative by praying resurrection power for all of your prayer recipients.

 

Foster Reflection

Lent provides a natural opportunity for quiet reflection. It’s less hectic than Advent, and every bit as important. Include moments throughout worship devoted solely to silence.  Offer silence as a gift, a way to connect more meaningfully with the Christ within. A handful of minutes in the body of the service is all it takes. You’ll be surprised at the powerful effect these moments of quiet have on personal transformation and spiritual growth.

 

Plan Ahead for Next Year

Last but not least, mark your calendar now for next year’s Lent planning. There are two dates to keep in mind: August 1 and January 1. August 1 is an ideal time to begin thinking about both Advent and Lent. By starting this early, you give yourself the needed time to consider what themes you’d like to explore with the congregation. Since both Advent and Lent are seasons of preparation, having your own preparation period allows you adequate time to develop ideas into plans and programs. If you miss the August 1 date, it’s still not too late to prepare yourself and your congregation for a Holy Lent. As soon as Advent and Christmas are over, begin January 1 to plan with others. You’ll still have time to get good things on the calendar for the Lenten season.

If you want to learn more ways to change the culture of your church, leadership, and community, come learn about Creating a Culture of Renewal®. In Creating a Culture of Renewal®, you will grow exponentially as a leader, while being part of a community of colleagues. This unique leadership journey will help you identify current needs in your church, create systems for change, and equip individuals with the necessary skills to be part of a transformational process. Participants leave this intensive experience with a portfolio of adaptive leadership skills, and the ability to create lasting change. Register for an introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal® to see how your church can be transformed.

 

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.