Lessons from the Early Church: Overcoming Conflict

Lessons from the Early Church: Overcoming Conflict

Conflict is an undeniable reality in any community, including the church. If not handled properly, conflict can result in division, hurt, and, ultimately, a decline in the church’s influence and effectiveness. However, you can take practical steps to resolve conflicts within your church. Even if things don’t come out the way you want them to, you can lead your spiritual community toward a path of unity and peace.

The early church faced many challenges when it tried to integrate wildly different religious traditions, world views, and cultural expectations into one unified community. It was tough work. People being people, gossip, “my-way-ism”, and bitterness were rampant. This led to ongoing conflict. Yet, they managed to work out their differences and successfully create the church as we know it. Let’s see what lessons we can learn from the early church in overcoming conflict and what action steps you can take.

 

Gossip

In the book of Acts, people felt threatened about the inclusion of non-Jews in the community. This idea of including Gentiles was a radical departure of the way things had been done in the past. So, they gossiped. This gossip spread discord and undermined relationships. It threatened to splinter the new relationships that were forming. (See Acts 11:1-3) However, the early church set a remarkable example in handling gossip by directly communicating with the individuals involved and diligently working towards restoring relationships.

Lessons from the early church: Take a good look at yourself. If you gossip about others, stop. While it feels powerful in the moment, gossip can do more damage than good. If you hear others gossiping, ask them to stop. Seek out others hurt by gossip and apologize to them. Express a genuine openness towards others who are different than you. By doing so, you serve as a peacemaker in your community and promote unity.

 

My Way-ism

Vigorous debate marked many important decisions outlined in the New Testament. Debate turned to disagreement when people insisted on “my-way-ism.” They suffered from an inability to lay aside their own ideas in favor of a common vision and purpose. The lack of a common vision and purpose was at the root of inclusion of Jews and Gentiles in a single community, financial support for the larger church, and responses to persecution. All of this debate and disagreement led Paul to write these words to the Ephesians: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Miraculously, early church leaders collaborated to find common ground, ultimately establishing a shared vision and purpose.

Lessons from the early church: Whether your conflicts are about building projects, budget constraints, or matters of human sexuality, there is something you can do. The first thing is to engage in active listening. Seek an understanding of the perspectives of others. Remember, the motivations behind another’s views may be vastly different, or surprisingly similar, to yours. The key is to inquire and ask; proper understanding can only be achieved through open dialogue.  This allows you to find common ground to move forward in unity.

 

Bitterness

Paul and Barnabas who had once been inseparable, were divided over a deep dispute of the trustworthiness of John Mark (Acts 15:36-41). In a moment of bitterness, Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways. Paul took Silas to Syria and Cilicia. Meanwhile, Barnabas took John Mark and set sail for Cyprus. It’s unclear if this break in the relationship was ever mended. In contrast, addressing conflict constructively led to reconciliation and unity, as seen in resolving the dispute over Gentile believers in Acts.

Lessons from the early church: When division leads to bitterness, don’t just turn your back on the conflict. Don’t gossip about the other. Don’t insist on things going your way. Instead, seek resolution by approaching the other with a listening ear. Pray for guidance and wisdom, and strive to find common ground that aligns with the church’s overarching mission and purpose.

 

The Church: Then and Now

The early church’s experiences reveal that conflict is not new to the church and will likely not go away anytime soon. As a church leader or member, you are responsible for guarding the church’s unity, addressing conflicts when they arise, and seeking resolution that honors God and builds up God’s people. We can learn from the past and apply those lessons to current situations. Constructive approaches to conflict resolution include openness, a willingness to listen, and a focus on unity.

Don’t wait until the next conflict arises; be proactive in building a healthy community within your church. If you are ready to take the next step, join me for an upcoming free seminar, How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®. You will learn how to cultivate a culture of renewal in your church while addressing conflicts effectively.

I have helped thousands of church leaders learn how to address conflict constructively. Now, in the wake of disaffiliations and polarizing disagreement, this is more important than ever. if you’d like to connect individually, my team and I would be happy to hear from you. To reach out to us, simply fill out this short form and we’ll be in touch!  I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Spirituality and the Pastor’s Dilemma

Spirituality and the Pastor’s Dilemma

Finding meaning and purpose in a world that values success and productivity above all else can be challenging. As a leader, you face the challenge of staying connected to your spiritual source while meeting the needs and expectations of those around you. Balancing these needs is the pastor’s dilemma.

You’ve experienced the highs of ministry – those moments when each interaction feels purposeful, each meeting productive, each worship service inspired, and each vision propels the church forward. However, along with the highs of ministry, you have also experienced the lows of ministry: not enough sleep, or support, or forward momentum, or exercise, or private time, or vacation, or money, or fun. Or, most importantly, not enough personal time with God. This too is the pastor’s dilemma.

Here’s the pastor’s dilemma put a different way. Can you afford to focus on your own spiritual health at the expense of the needs of the church? Can you afford not to?

 

Making Spirituality a Non-Negotiable Endeavor

It is crucial to remember that your spiritual journey is a lifelong pursuit. Like all important relationships, your personal connection with God requires regular attention and nurturing. When you make investing in this intimate relationship a non-negotiable, you become better able to navigate the pastor’s dilemma. By embracing spirituality, you’ll find that it is possible to nurture your own soul while guiding others on their spiritual paths.

So how do you find the time to embrace your own spiritual journey? I find that when I dedicate time each day for prayer and meditation, it gets easier. First, I’m building a habit that is connected to the time of day. Second, I am experiencing a newfound soul-connection that I come to crave every day. This makes me want to come back for more. I recommend establishing a particular time of day to spend one on one time with God. It doesn’t matter if it’s morning, midday, or night. God is present and available 24/7. Simply choose the time that works best, and most consistently, for you.

The pastor’s dilemma asks, “How do you pursue the spiritual journey?” Here are some things I do: immersing myself in nature walks, reflective writing, two-way prayer, and using questions based on the Examen. There’s always the wonderful Wesleyan question, too: “How is it with your soul?” This simple yet profound question opens the door for honest reflections and meaningful discussions about your spiritual well-being. The important thing is to find practices that draw you deeper into the presence of God.

As a spiritual leader, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible power of nurturing deep spirituality. The more I focused on my spirituality, the more I was naturally led to teach about it, preach about it, and invite others into the journey. Turns out they were as hungry for spiritual sustenance as I was. Embracing spiritual practices not only rejuvenated my soul but also positivly impacted my community of faith.

I think you’ll find this too. As you delve deeper into your own spirituality, you will create ripples of change that extend beyond yourself, influencing your interactions, emotions, decisions, and energy in your spaces. As you do this, you not only transform the pastor’s dilemma, you transform other people’s dilemmas too. They need the spiritual connection as much as you do.

As you deepen your spiritual connection, I encourage you not to be stingy. Share authentically about your own journey and I think you’ll be glad to find that others want to join you.

I invite you to join me on this transformative journey. In Creating a Culture of Renewal®, we explore together how deepening your spirituality can enrich your life and the lives of your congregation. You are also welcome to join me at one of my free upcoming seminars, How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®. Through meaningful conversations, we can uncover the profound impacts that spirituality can make, fostering growth, connection, and transformation.

And, if you’d like to connect individually, my team and I would be happy to hear from you. To reach out to us, simply fill out this short form and we’ll be in touch!  I look forward to hearing from you.

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

The Courage to Mentor

The Courage to Mentor

It takes courage to mentor. Take the example of Jesus. Jesus was a transformative mentor. He called twelve individuals to become His mentees. Those mentees, or disciples, would go on to function as apostles and change the world. Mentoring is one of the most influential and transformative forms of guidance you can offer. Mentoring, like discipling, is a personal investment in another person’s life. Embarking on the path of mentorship demands the courage to confront your own fears and vulnerabilities. No wonder more people don’t do it. In this blog post, I will reveal three mindsets that will empower you to become a mentor you and your mentees can be proud of.

Embrace Fear

Maybe you don’t feel prepared to be a mentor. Maybe you fear that your education, your ministry accomplishments, and your training fall short. As a church leader, you possess a wealth of diverse ministry experience, and you are highly qualified to mentor. Shaking the fear and the notion that you aren’t qualified to help is the first mindset that needs to change.

In The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man, the author names three components of fear: the thing you fear, the physical reaction that fear generates (i.e., clenched gut, tight throat, or clammy hands), and the instinct to run, flee, or hide. Courage comes when you lean-in instead of avoiding the fear. Embracing fear is the path to courage. By embracing fear as a catalyst for growth, you can transform it into a positive force that empowers yourself and those you mentor.

Be Authentic

It’s not necessary to have all the answers when mentoring. What truly matters is your ability to be authentic. This comes from sharing your experience and learned wisdom with others.

It takes courage to share our authentic selves vulnerably, but in doing so, we create meaningful connections and inspire others to do the same. As Brené Brown said, “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage.” Taking time to reflect on your strengths and values allows you to leverage them to effectively mentor. Leading with a vulnerable, authentic mindset positively impacts your mentee’s journey of growth.

Encourage Accountability

I’ve been fortunate to have had numerous coaches, teachers, rabbis, and pastors as my mentors. The individuals from whom I learned and grew the most were the ones who held me accountable, challenging me to reach higher standards with love and support. Initially, I felt ashamed whenever I fell short of the standards they set. Eventually I realized they saw something in me that I couldn’t see in myself. By challenging my feelings of inadequacy and holding me accountable to a big vision, I was able to grow.

As a mentor, be courageous enough to hold your mentees accountable. Instead of shying away from this responsibility, engage in open dialogue about goals and realistic expectations in meeting them. Remember, an accountability mindset is not about being harsh or punitive; it’s about helping mentees realize their potential. You guide them toward THEIR aspirations. Provide constructive feedback and challenge while also offering the necessary support, encouragement, and guidance a mentee needs.

Spot Mentoring

Every day, you have opportunities to mentor, coach, or train someone. Most likely, you’ve all been mentors at various times. Your mentee may have been a colleague, a friend, a family member, or even a stranger. By remaining open to in the moment mentoring, you will find the courage needed to share your knowledge, experience, and values with others. Looking for chances to mentor in small moments can have big impacts. You may never know whose life you’ve positively influenced through spot mentoring.

Becoming a mentor is a rewarding and fulfilling experience that requires courage, resilience, and a growth mindset. By reframing your fear as an opportunity, cultivating your strengths and values, seeking accountability, and embracing collaboration, you can become a mentor who makes a difference in someone’s life.

It was in the spirit of courage to help others that I founded Creating a Culture of Renewal®. With mentoring at its core, I was guided to create a supportive and nurturing environment for personal and spiritual growth. You are welcome to join me at one of my free upcoming seminars, How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®. In this seminar, I look forward to sharing with you some practical strategies that have been proven to work. If you find yourself frustrated with the limited returns of traditional church practices, this is a unique opportunity to find courage in a new approach. Consider this an invitation to embark on a transformative journey, to embrace the art of mentoring, and to make a positive impact on your leadership.

And, if you’d like to connect with me or one of my Faculty directly about any of our offerings, or how to implement the tips in my blogs, simply fill out this short form and we’ll be in touch!  I look forward to hearing from you.

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

Jesus – The Visionary Leader

Jesus – The Visionary Leader

Jesus’ leadership transcended traditional concepts, embracing a Kingdom-oriented vision that defied societal norms. In a day in which leadership was often about power over others, Jesus distinguished himself by prioritizing eternal values and the betterment of humanity. This blog explores the exceptional qualities that made Jesus the ultimate visionary leader.

 

Emotional Intelligence

His unwavering commitment to serving others was at the core of Jesus’ leadership. Jesus led by example, demonstrating the power of compassion and empathy through his interactions with people from all walks of life. 

Jesus’ leadership style revealed a remarkable ability to connect with people from all backgrounds, regardless of social status. He inspired and empowered his followers with exceptional interpersonal skills through his teachings and actions. His emphasis on love and forgiveness exemplified his emotional intelligence, transcending time and cultural boundaries.

You will see that his visions expanded beyond what I call “church improvement plans.” For example, Jesus didn’t spend much time envisioning how to strengthen Galilean synagogues or build a better stewardship campaign. His dreams weren’t even about how to get more people to follow him. Instead, Jesus’ visions focused on the big picture: “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Jesus’ vision was never to establish a well-ordered institution but to build a community of believers who would continue his work and spread his message of love and salvation.

 

Spiritual Entrepreneur

The fact that Jesus never intended to establish a well-ordered Church improvement plan should be great news to leaders. It means that leadership is not about rigidly following rules or implementing a prescribed strategy. Instead, it is about embodying the values and teachings of Jesus. This allows leaders to embrace their unique style and approach, empowering them to connect with their followers on a deeper level and create a genuine impact.

Jesus utilized visionary spiritual leadership to inspire and transform individuals, communities, and the world. So far, you might have had experience as a counselor, a shepherd, or a manager. But visionary spiritual leadership? That’s a whole new ballgame. It’s something you may not have encountered before. It calls you to take your current experience one step further into spiritual entrepreneur.

Stepping into the role of a spiritual entrepreneur means embracing a path of self-discovery, growth, and service. It is about recognizing the innate connection between your spiritual journey and your entrepreneurial endeavors. As a spiritual entrepreneur, you will strive to align your work with your values, purpose, and higher consciousness. To trust that you have the spiritual connection to envision a new future. And the authority to lead your people toward it. I sense that most of you do. If you are anything like me, you are here because you need more encouragement about your spiritual authority to dream big.

 

Spiritual Authority

Just as the words of Jesus held immense power, so do yours. As a spiritual entrepreneur, you possess the authority and ability to speak visions into existence. Faith, courage, and perseverance can transform God’s vision for your ministry into a tangible reality. Trusting in this authority is crucial in becoming an effective visionary leader, much like Jesus. This is not merely a “name it and claim it” theology but a reflection on the importance of faith and belief in the transformative power of your words. By embracing this understanding, you will embark on a creative and generative journey that breathes life into your aspirations.

In the same way, Jesus had the vision, authority, and determination to bring about transformation on a global scale. As his follower, you are called to continue his legacy by embracing the unique visions that God has given you. By trusting in your spiritual authority and embodying the values of Jesus, you can become a visionary leader who positively impacts your community.

Be encouraged! Embrace the visionary leadership style of Jesus. To make this happen it’s essential to let go of self-doubt and fear, and fully embrace the spiritual authority given to you.  By doing this, you enter the realm of the miraculous and initiate the wondrous process of co-creating miracles with the divine. You can inspire and guide your team and community toward a greater purpose.

Join one of my upcoming seminars, “How Christian Ministries Achieve Success: An Introduction to Creating a Culture of Renewal®.” In this seminar, you will delve deeper into the leadership principles of Jesus and learn practical strategies to overcome barriers that hinder leaders from fully embracing His vision in their ministries. Or, if you’re ready to take your visionary leadership to the next level, embrace your spiritual authority and expand your emotional intelligence, join me and other like-minded colleagues, for my new online group coaching experience, Readiness 4 Renewal.  Together, let us, with Jesus at the helm, cultivate a culture of renewal and transformation in our leadership.

 

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?

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.

Was Jesus a Jew or a Christian? And Does it Matter?

Was Jesus a Jew or a Christian? And Does it Matter?

“Was Jesus a Jew? Or was Jesus a Christian?” These are the first two questions I pose when leading workshops on the Jewish roots of Christianity. About half the hands go up for Jewish. More go up for Christian. Several for both. A few aren’t sure how to respond.

How would you respond? Does it matter?

Here’s the truth. Not only was Jesus Jewish but so were his closest disciples and almost all of his first followers. In fact, the whole movement was decidedly Jewish. It wasn’t until after his death that the movement spread to include many Gentiles. Well into the fourth century and in some places longer, Jewish followers of Jesus practiced Judaism, retaining their Jewish identity.

In this blog post, I will discuss how Jesus and his disciples were most aligned with the Pharisees of the time, and how their Jewish identity not only helped establish the origins of Christianity but also helped preserve the Jewish roots of the faith. I’ll also address the issues church leaders must attend to in order to uplift Jesus without condemning Jews.

 

1. Jesus the Pharisee

One of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of Jesus is his relationship with the Pharisees. In the Gospels, Jesus is often depicted arguing with the Pharisees, but the Pharisees were not the enemy of Jesus. The debates between Jesus and the Pharisees were vigorous discussions between colleagues about specific interpretations, beliefs, and practices of the Torah. In many ways, Jesus was very much aligned with this Jewish sect. His teachings and practices were deeply influenced by their teachings, including the Golden Rule.

So what were the Pharisees? They were a progressive lay movement that wanted “to renew and extend the observance of Jewish practice in society.” To increase people’s sensitivity to holiness, the Pharisees “made a fence around the law. In other words, they established behavioral boundaries around God’s commandments. That way, they could be sure of not sinning by refraining from what leads to sin. Like the Pharisees, Jesus was, at his very core, a reformer who cared about holiness.

 

2. Jesus and his Jewish Disciples

Not only was Jesus a Jew in good standing, but so were his disciples. They were all practicing Jews, following the traditions and customs of Judaism. The disciples continued to follow Jewish customs, such as Sabbath observance, even after the resurrection of Jesus. They knew that their faith in Jesus as Messiah did not require them to abandon the Jewish traditions of their forebears. Jesus had transformed their understanding of the Jewish faith, but their Jewish identity remained intact.

Even the way that Jesus instructed the disciples was entirely Jewish. For Jesus and other Torah teachers of his day, disciple-making was a hands-on venture that required one’s whole being. No wonder Jesus advised his students to count the cost of discipleship. It was steep! One scholar notes that this itinerant teacher/student form of learning was the ancient equivalent of postdoctoral work; disciples could only manage it for three years. After that, they would go back to a more normal life of fishing, or masonry. In Rabbi Jesus’ classroom, instruction was not removed, or academic. Rather it was intense, hands on learning.

 

3. The Early Jewish Christian Community

The early Christian community was predominantly Jewish, and Christianity was initially seen as a movement within Judaism. Jewish Christians continued to follow Jewish customs and traditions. There is evidence that some Jewish Christians continued to practice Judaism while believing in Jesus as the Messiah; this is part of the context behind the book of Hebrews.

The early Jewish Christians saw their faith as an extension of Judaism, not a replacement for it. Jesus and his disciples had made clear that Christianity was rooted in the same God worshiped by the Jews and was part of the same covenantal tradition. Unlike later Christian denominations, which began to distance themselves from Judaism, early Jewish Christians embraced the Scriptures and customs of their Jewish heritage while also honoring and venerating Jesus as Messiah and Lord.

 

4. The Jewish Roots of Christianity

Jesus was Jewish, and so were his followers. Christianity began as a Jewish movement, and its roots can still be seen today. The Jewish identity of Jesus and his disciples helps us understand the origins of Christianity and reminds us of our connections to Jewish traditions. As we move forward as Christians, we must strive to respect and honor the Jewish identity that Jesus and his disciples embodied.

 

Why it Matters that Jesus and His Followers were Jews

Today, many Christians forget the Jewish identity of both Jesus and his followers. That poses a problem that church leaders must attend to.

When Jesus is seen as a Christian who stood against Jews, especially Pharisees, it sets up an ugly “us vs. them” dynamic between Christians and Jews of today. If we forget that Jesus and his movement were primarily Jewish, then Jews become the enemy of Christianity, or those who must be converted to, or simply ignoramuses. These attitudes are dangerous.  Violent anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide. Hurting or killing Jews in the name of Jesus is the worst perversion of Christianity.

In the polarized world in which we live, loving one’s neighbor as oneself, which is both a Jewish and Christian teaching, means Christians are bound to respect, honor, and value Jews.  Christian leaders can play a vital role in this expression of Jesus’ teaching.

Just as Jesus and the Pharisees sought renewal and reform, you may be that kind of leader, too. Check out our approach to renewal through Creating a Culture of Renewal®.

 

Adapted and excerpted from The Jew Named Jesus:Discover the Man and His Message, Rebekah Simon-Peter, 2013.

Copyright © 2023 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.