Earth Rise and the Power of Resurrection

Earth Rise and the Power of Resurrection

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.

Spirituality is the Key to Re-Building Community

Spirituality is the Key to Re-Building Community

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

 

What We Are Doing Is Not Sufficient

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

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

 

The Myth That “We Already Do” Spirituality

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

 

Spiritual Affiliation Has Increased

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

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

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

 

What is Spirituality?

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

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

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

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

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

 

Re-Building Community

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

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

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

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

How the Church Can End the Loneliness Pandemic

How the Church Can End the Loneliness Pandemic

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

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

 

The Myth of Church Lite

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

 

True Confessions: I Used to Be One of Those People

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

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

 

The Power of Weak Social Ties

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

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

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

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

 

Create Multiple Ways to Be Part Of Things

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

 

IN-PERSON CONNECTION

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

 

ONLINE CONNECTION

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

 

A Warning

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

 

Take Your Next Step

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

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Why Your Church Should Shorten Worship

Why Your Church Should Shorten Worship

The slower paced days of the pandemic are now past. People are busier than ever. Even as attention spans are shortened. Yes, we all have the same 24 hours in a day we have ever had, but there are so many more things competing for our attention. The church in particular has felt the impact of this.

People have more worship options than ever before. Remote and asynchronous worship experiences have become standard for many people. But one thing you may not have explored is experimenting with the length of worship. In this article I want to make the case for why your church should shorten worship.

 

Worship Attendance Has Changed

The pandemic has forever altered worship expectations. In the height of the pandemic, many congregations reported that their worship attendance dropped by half. Even now, many congregations are still at 50-75% of pre-pandemic worship attendance levels. The Great Resignation impacted the church as well as the workplace. Yes, it could well be that people simply aren’t interested in worship. Or they are not interested in the way your congregation conducts worship. On the other hand, the answer might be simpler. It could be that with all that competes for their attention one, 60-70 minutes of worship is simply too much of a time commitment to make. For instance, I know that would attend more yoga classes if they were offered in 30-minute increments. I simply don’t or won’t make time for a 60- or 90-minute class. I have too much else going on that I also care about.

In a bit, we’ll talk about how to construct the perfect 45-minute worship service. But first, let’s address a falsehood that may prevent you from ever experimenting with the length of worship.

 

The Myth that Worship Has Always Been One Hour Long

So much of our faith is derived from biblical principles and practices that you may assume that the length of worship is prescribed in the Bible. Therefore, if church services run over 1 hour, it’s cause for handwringing. Or if worship is less than 1 hour, something important is being left out. However, that is not the case. Biblical examples of worship range from spontaneous prayers offered up at an outdoor altar, such as Jacob’s experience at Peniel (Genesis 32)  to Ezra’s half day recitation of the book of the law (Nehemiah 8). It’s not the length of worship that matters, it is the encounter with God that matters.

 

Shortened Worship Services Work

I recently met with Visionary and Connecting Presbyter, Jennifer Burns Lewis. This denominational executive shared with me a beautiful and unexpected result of the pandemic. During the pandemic, many congregations in her Indiana presbytery conducted 45 min worship services so that people weren’t unnecessarily sharing air.

As the pandemic ended, 60-70% of churches in the presbytery have kept their shortened worship services in place.

“Guess what?” Jennifer asked. “No one is complaining, and worship numbers have stayed steady.” In fact, Burns Lewis reported that there was a remarkable uptick in numbers from the first Sunday in Advent until now. “It is like someone turned a page and the days of sorrow are over,” she remarked, with wonder in her voice.

 

Worship Changes with the Times

In truth, worship content and length has always varied. First century Christians practiced daily in-home worship. As the number of believers grew, early Christians met for both a Sunday gathering based on Synagogue liturgy, and then on another day for a Love Feast to fill the obligation to worship Jesus. As the believers eventually moved away from Judaism, they blended the two into a single day service on Sunday, often held in public buildings.  In later centuries, factors such as denomination, location, and the influence of individual ministers has had a big impact on how long worship services have lasted. In the early parts of the 19th century, many services lasted up to 3 hours. Yet, as society shifted to busier schedules and shortened attention spans, by the end of the 1800’s most Protestant denominations adapted a 1-hour service. Regional differences have played a role in the length of a worship service in the United States, too. The South, and rural areas, traditionally maintain a longer worship service. Black worship services tend to run longer than white majority services.

 

Creating The Perfect 45-Minute Worship Service

Now that you are open to why your church should shorten worship, I want to share two options for creating the perfect 45- minute worship service.

 

OPTION 1

If your congregation’s culture is more tradition-focused, you can still have a shortened classical Christian worship service. A shortened service can be drawn from the second century pattern of worship: greeting, response, offering, eucharist prayer, communion, benediction, dismissal. Notice that the sermon is absent. If you wish to add in a brief sermon (5-15 minutes), you can do a shortened communion service. This format will open more time for those who may wish to meet in smaller groups to reflect and discuss message of the service.

 

OPTION 2

Here is a second pattern of worship that is more free-flowing, and that appeals more to the spiritual but not religious. It is also very family friendly. I call it the 3 S’s of Post-Pandemic Community. The three components include: being social, being spiritual, and being of service. In a service like this, be sure to include time to greet each other, have an experiential time of connecting with the Spirit of God, and an opportunity to be of service to others. This outward-focused service can look like making sandwiches for the homeless or putting together flood buckets. These opportunities to be of service are akin to the offering of the second century.

 

Next Steps

Times have changed. Worship can change with it. Would you like to learn more about how to create a culture of renewal in these post-pandemic times? I’m inviting you to come to a 90-minute exploration of How Christian Ministries Are Achieving Success. You can also sign up for a free, personalized 40-minute Discovery Session.

 

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Solving the Dilemma of Clergy Burnout – A Culture of Renewal

Solving the Dilemma of Clergy Burnout – A Culture of Renewal

Clergy burnout is a pressing topic in today’s spiritual communities. We recognize that things need to change. But what? In looking at causes of clergy burnout, so far I have identified three factors: the impact of a fixed mindset, the pace of leadership change within congregations, and the sense that clergy are in it by themselves.

In this article, we will look at the fourth and final factor that contributes to clergy burnout: the culture of decline in churches. Not surprisingly, the solution is a culture of renewal. So, I will reveal three secret ingredients of my award-winning program, Creating a Culture of Renewal®. In this way, you can begin the process of implementing renewal in your setting now.

First – let’s ask an important question. How can you tell if your congregation is experiencing a culture of decline, or if it’s just experiencing temporary setbacks? Let’s take a deeper look.

 

Clergy Burnout Dilemma #4

Many mainline churches now operate in a culture of decline. Things aren’t what they used to be. As the percentage of “nones and dones” grow, the church has to fight to stay relevant. Even though what we have to offer remains as important as ever. In an increasingly polarized world, coming together to declare a gospel of unity, peace, and love seems passé.

In the church, the culture of decline is reinforced through three stubborn obstacles: a persistent focus on personalities, the past, and only engaging what is predictable. That means clergy attention is highjacked away from building forward momentum. Likely, you’re spending too much time soothing people and making sure folks don’t get mad. You’re probably also being asked to continually refocus on the traditions of the past instead of the possibilities of the present. Yet, predictable ideas lead to predictable results. It goes without saying that predictability doesn’t require any faith at all.

Bottom line: it’s hard to be prophetic, visionary, and risk-taking when you are up against these three stubborn obstacles.

 

The Myth of Many Problems

Dealing with the three stubborn obstacles exacerbates clergy burnout. But even more so, clergy burnout is perpetuated by one deadly myth. This is the myth that a church in decline has many problems that must be solved. In my decade plus work with congregations, I’ve identified eight distinct dynamics that manifest in a church in decline. They include:

  1. Shrinking numbers
  2. Problem people
  3. Stagnant giving
  4. Listless worship
  5. Gutless prayer
  6. Bait and switch evangelism
  7. Insulated focus
  8. Dead-end decision-making

You may think of these eight dynamics as eight separate problems that require eight different solutions. But the truth is these eight dynamics are but symptoms with one common denominator: the lack of a bold, compelling vision for the future.

 

Certified Renewalists Make a Difference

When Rev. Drew Willson of Richmond, Virginia joined Creating a Culture of Renewal®, his congregation was stuck in the myth of many problems. Drew inherited a congregation in decline. There was an average of 10 – 15 people attending, financial struggles, lack of commitment to change, and a “culture centered around the previous pastor.” Yet, Drew knew that in the face of fear and decline, he needed to refocus on the future. He knew he needed an entire culture shift, not just a temporary fix.

Through Creating a Culture of Renewal®, Drew led his congregation towards a bold, compelling vision for the future: “Extending God’s Table for All”. Together with the laity, they started a meal-sharing program. The church also began partnering with other denominations and a mobile health clinic to offer vaccines to underserved communities. Additionally, they joined forces with a nearby church to bring their congregations together in ministry. Instead of looking to the past, together they started looking for ways to bolster the welfare of the city.

The result? A congregation that has grown to 150 people. A culture shift towards laity-empowered ministry. Partnering with another church to become a single congregation with a forward-looking vision. Congregation members and church leadership coming together to create a community of renewal. In short, a miraculous shift in culture occurred.

In the process, Rev. Drew Willson earned his Certified Renewalist credential.

 

How Do You Create a Culture of Renewal?

In Creating a Culture of Renewal®, we have innovated a process that is proven to shift a culture of decline into a culture of renewal. I’d like to share with you three of our secret ingredients. But first let me tell you this surprising truth: renewal doesn’t come by changing and fixing external factors like shrinking numbers, stagnated giving, or insulated focus. Instead, renewal begins in the mindset and consciousness of the leader.

 

FIRST SECRET INGREDIENT: THE PLATINUM RULE

The Platinum Rule is a variation of the Golden Rule. Rather than assuming that everyone is just like you, the Platinum Rule teaches you to treat others the way they want to be treated. When you treat people the way they want to be treated, they feel seen, heard, and respected. This empowers you to bring out the best contributions of each of your people. You even learn how to bring out the best in those who frustrate you the most.

 

SECOND SECRET INGREDIENT: DREAMING LIKE JESUS

To displace the systemic culture that reinforces decline, you must enact a new vision for the future. This vision, or Jesus-like dream, must be outward focused rather than a church improvement plan. Only by being an agent of transformation for the community you serve will you transform the eight symptoms of a church in decline. Paradoxically, this outward focus will cause your church to improve.

 

 THIRD SECRET INGREDIENT: ADVANCING FROM DISCIPLESHIP TO APOSTLESHIP

Disciples don’t make other disciples. Apostles do. That means to grow the Kingdom, you’ll need to advance from the faith of a disciple to the faith of an apostle. In order to move from discipleship to apostleship, you will need to up-level your faith. Apostleship requires not only having faith in Jesus but daring to have the faith of Jesus. This expanded faith will allow you to participate with God in the realm of the miraculous. Thus enabling you and your people to bring your Jesus-like dream to life.

 

Are you a clergy member experiencing burnout in a culture of decline? Does renewal and a big vision seem out of reach? It’s time to try something brand new. Something that will take you out of the realm of tried-and-true behaviors, and into the unknown. It won’t be as predictable, but it will be exhilarating. We have 12 years of experience helping church leaders shift their mindset. Join me in my next free 90-minute online seminar, “How Christian Ministries are Achieving Success”, to learn how you too can break the cycle of decline and lead your congregation into a vibrant culture of renewal. Miracles are possible!

 

Copyright © 2024 rebekahsimonpeter.com.  All Rights Reserved.

Women, Leadership, and the B-Word

Women, Leadership, and the B-Word

Women, Leadership, and the B-Word

 

When a male leader is direct or decisive, he’s often known by a C-word:  Confident.  Competent. Charismatic. He’s prized as a strong, natural leader. Women in leadership, however, are often stuck with a less desirable word. With less desirable connotations.

With Mother’s Day just past, a day that has become not just about honoring our mothers, but about honoring women and their many strengths in general, I had to wonder why this is.

I told my husband about the title of this blog and asked him what he thought the B-word was. He answered tongue in cheek. “Bright?  Balanced? Bold?” I laughed. The truth is, we both know that very often a strong, competent woman is more likely to be known as bossy. Or worse, a b#tch.

Women and the B-Word

Strangely enough, it’s not just men that make these pronouncements. Other women do too.

Experiencing resistance as a Methodist minister myself in the past, I often wonder why women would be wary of female leadership? Is it because women are afraid of their own power?  Is it because women fear the backlash that comes when another woman displays such qualities? Or maybe traditional female gender socialization is so ingrained that it’s simply hard to accept this sort of female leadership.

I’m not sure.  But I do know this.  Women, as well as men, are naturally shaped to be direct, confident, and decisive. As well as tender, compassionate and collaborative. Traditional gender norms tend to skew socially acceptable behaviors. But in studies about personality type, all of the above qualities occur almost equally in both men and women. Moreover, since each of us is made in the likeness of God, there are no mistakes about how we turn out.

Strong, decisive leaders who are confident, competent and charismatic are what the church needs. As well as compassionate and collaborative. And the church needs them in both the female and male versions.

women in leadership

So how do we move beyond the negative monikers of bossy and b#itchy? I have three suggestions for women in the pews, pulpits and communities:

1. Remember the power women from your past. 

Identify women from your past that shaped their families and communities with their insight, intuition, and ability to get things done. You are part of that history. Women have always been leaders, even if not in the public square.

2. Mentor the next generation of women.

Elizabeth supported Mary when they both carried miracle babies who would change the arc of history. Mentor younger and older women in developing their own confidence and skill.

3. Own your inner boss.

Get comfortable with your own power. The power to move a conversation forward, to motivate a congregation, to envision new possibilities. A female colleague gave me a prized mug that says: “I’m not bossy. I am the boss.”

There is one more B-word that is under-used when it comes to women. One we should wholeheartedly embrace: Bishop.

In 2006, I attended an international United Methodist celebration of the 50th anniversary of full clergy rights for women. All of the female United Methodist bishops in the church were in attendance. They told their stories, spoke on panels, and cheered each other on. I was amazed not only at their leadership, but at their everydayness. Navigating airports on the way back home, I thought about these women. If I had seen any of them without their episcopal robes or name tags, I wouldn’t have known they were bishops. They looked like other women I knew:  grandmothers, mothers, sisters and friends.

The United Methodist Church has come a long way since it consecrated its first female bishop. Even so, both church and society itself need to continue taking the vital steps to truly acknowledging the many women leaders around us. Women who accomplish amazing things in their communities, families, and in the Kin(g)dom of God.

We need you. True, in some settings, you may be thought of as bossy, or even bitchy. But let’s not forget, you may also be thought of as bishop-material.

Chances are, YOU are a leader! Whether clergy, bishop, laity, community advocate, or mom, you’re leading in powerful ways. I hope you’ll join me on my free 90-minute seminar, “How to Create a Culture of Renewal.” You’ll not only be taking the next step in your leadership role but learning the life-giving miracles that renewal can bring.