The long days of summer are upon us, inviting us to step into a different rhythm of life. It’s a season that beckons us to slow down, to savor simple pleasures, to hit the reset button on our hurried lives.
But for church leaders, this invitation can feel more like a challenge.
How can we embrace a change of pace when the demands of ministry continue unabated? How can we model a different way of being for our congregations and communities?
These questions were at the heart of a recent conversation on the Pivot Podcast, where hosts Alicia Granholm, Terri Elton, and Dwight Zscheile answered listener questions and grappled with what it means to reclaim the core of Christian faith amidst the busyness of life and ministry. Their conversation was rich with insights and stories, offering a glimpse into the struggles and hopes of leaders seeking to follow Jesus in a world that often feels overwhelming.
How can we be intentional about creating space for prayer and reflection as leaders, even during the busy summer months?
Terri shared a poignant encounter she had with a young mother of three active boys. This mother confessed that she was looking forward to summer, but not for the usual reasons of camps and activities. Instead, she longed for a different rhythm, one that allowed for spontaneity and simple joys—afternoons at the beach, impromptu picnics in the park, days without a rigid agenda.
This story struck a chord with Terri. “What am I modeling for the people in our congregations, for my family, or for other leaders that I’m with?” she asked.
If a young mother in the thick of parenting could recognize the need for a change of pace, how much more so might church leaders benefit from a summer reset?
But good intentions aren’t always enough. Alicia put it bluntly: “If it’s not on the calendar, it’s not gonna happen.” Alicia urged leaders to view time for prayer, reflection, and discernment not as a luxury, but as a non-negotiable commitment to their own spiritual well-being. Just as we wouldn’t skip a doctor’s appointment or an important meeting, we must prioritize the practices that nourish our souls.
How do we deal with political polarization in our churches, especially during an election year?
With a contentious election season around the corner, the hosts grappled with how to create spaces for authentic dialogue and connection. Dwight acknowledged the difficulty of this moment, noting that churches across the political spectrum are likely to face a hard year.
Terri suggested that one way forward is to focus on shared identity in Christ. She advocated for an approach that emphasizes relationship over being right, that makes space for people to share their stories and perspectives without judgment. “Rarely, rarely is it good or bad or black or white,” Terri noted. “There are usually complexities underneath.”
Alicia added that this is fundamentally a theological issue, inviting Christians to consider what it means to truly believe that everyone is created in the image of God. “If we each approached our interactions with people from that place,” she said, “then how does that influence us to live and show up differently?”
What does discipleship mean in a time when people are already exhausted, and how can we reframe it?
Perhaps the most powerful moments of the conversation came as the hosts reflected on what it means to follow Jesus in a world that often feels exhausting and overwhelming. Alicia suggested reframing discipleship not as an additional burden, but as an invitation to orient one’s entire life around Christ. This isn’t about adding more to our to-do lists, she argued, but about infusing our days with practices that draw us closer to Jesus—prayer, scripture reading, communal discernment.
Dwight illustrated this point with a moving story of a couple in his congregation facing a serious health crisis. Amidst the uncertainty and fear, they have found strength in their grounding in faith, in the stories of God’s presence and promise. Their witness is a powerful reminder that the story of Jesus isn’t just for Sundays, but for every day of our lives, in every circumstance we face.
Ultimately, the conversation was an invitation to reclaim the essence of what it means to follow Jesus, and to let that shape every aspect of our lives and ministries.
As Terri put it, “What a gift it could be for us as people of faith, as Jesus followers, to soak in the abundance of God’s love for the world every day, rather than scarcity and polarization.”
Key Takeaways
1. Use the summer months as an opportunity to reset rhythms and prioritize practices that sustain personal and communal faith.
2. Be intentional about scheduling time for prayer, reflection, and discernment, viewing it as a non-negotiable commitment to one’s own spiritual well-being.
3. Focus on shared identity in Christ and create spaces for authentic dialogue and connection amidst political polarization.
4. Reframe discipleship as an invitation to orient one’s entire life around following Jesus through concrete practices like prayer, scripture reading, and communal discernment.
5. Ground oneself in the story of Jesus, allowing it to shape one’s perspective and response to life’s challenges, both personal and in ministry.
