Checking In: Are You Getting What You Wanted Out of Lent?

Checking In: Are You Getting What You Wanted Out of Lent?

As we embark on the fifth week of Lent, this blog series aims to equip you in guiding your faith community through this transformative season. Lent offers a powerful opportunity to not only deepen the spiritual journeys of your existing members but also to spark curiosity and a yearning for connection among those yet to embrace Christ.

A Shared Reflection on the Fifth Station (Week 5):

This week, as we contemplate the fifth Station of the Cross – Jesus falling for the first time – we are presented with a poignant reminder: Jesus, fully human, experienced physical limitations and exhaustion. This humbling moment underscores his immense strength and perfect love, for it was these that propelled him to rise and continue his journey.

Let’s use this reflection not just as a spiritual contemplation, but also as a lens to examine our own leadership, ministry, and community. Perhaps we, too, have experienced moments of falling – setbacks, challenges, or feelings of exhaustion. But within these moments lies the opportunity to rise again, fueled by faith and a renewed commitment to serving our community.

Understanding the Seasons of the Soul:

Our spiritual lives, much like the natural world, experience distinct seasons. There are times of consolation, bathed in the warmth of God’s presence and overflowing with joy.  However, these periods of bliss can give way to desolation, a chilling sense of isolation where doubt creeps in and leaves us adrift. Further complicating our path is our natural inclination towards resistance. When God nudges us towards growth, we may find ourselves clinging to familiar routines and patterns.

Finding Strength in Community:

Discerning these spiritual states can feel overwhelming, like navigating a labyrinth in the dark. This is where the beauty of community shines. Lent is not meant to be a solitary trek. Seek out a spiritual friend, a trusted companion who walks alongside you, offering a safe space to share your struggles, joys, and uncertainties. Together, you can shed light on the path ahead, discerning God’s whispers even in the quietest moments.

Reflection Questions for Week 5:

  • Recall a time when compassion helped you during a difficult season.
  • Who in your life needs your compassion right now?
  • How can you actively show more compassion to others this week?

Halfway Check-In: Reflecting on Your Lenten Journey (Week 5):

Take a moment to reflect on your Lent experience so far. Has it met your expectations?  How does it compare to past Lents? What emotions or thoughts have surfaced during your contemplation of the Stations of the Cross? As you look towards the remaining weeks, what do you hope to gain from this sacred time?

Guiding Your Community Through Transformation (Week 6):

The Holy Spirit, for generations, has been the guiding force on our faith journey. Today, we stand on the legacy of the early disciples, who themselves walked a path of transformation. Their wisdom offers a profound framework, a three-fold journey of spiritual awakening, to nurture those seeking to follow Christ:

  • Purgation: This initial phase acts as a crucible of self-discovery. Here, the Holy Spirit illuminates our shortcomings, prompting us to confess and seek forgiveness. This surrender is crucial, for only on cleansed ground can true growth take root.
  • Illumination: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the scriptures become a radiant guide. Through their pages, Jesus himself draws us closer, revealing the depths of his love and sacrifice. Our understanding of faith expands, and a yearning for deeper connection blossoms.
  • Union: Finally, we arrive at Union, where the transformative power of Christ takes hold. We recognize our complete dependence on him, and a profound sense of oneness takes root. Christ before us, leading the way. Christ beside us, a constant companion. Christ within us, a wellspring of strength and love.

Leading with Renewed Purpose:

While contemporary expressions of faith may vary, this core progression remains the blueprint for authentic discipleship, the very path our spiritual ancestors trod.  By understanding these phases and drawing upon the wisdom of Christian Coaching Essentials, you are empowered to guide your congregation on a transformative Lenten journey. Through this shared experience, faith will be strengthened, connections will deepen, and your community will emerge closer than ever before.

Stay tuned for the next installment, where we’ll delve deeper into practical tips and resources to equip you in leading your community through the remaining weeks of Lent.

Upcoming Webinar

Join me for an informative conversation with Ben Ingebretson of Coram Deo as we discuss coaching and multiplication, on Wednesday, March 20 @ 9:30am PST.  Here is the Zoom link – CLICK HERE.

Become an InFocus Partner

Invest in leaders who are transforming lives and join the InFocus community. Together, let’s create a ripple effect of faith and love.

Click here to learn about joining the InFocus family to start your ripple effect!

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A Mother’s Love, a Son’s Mission: Finding Freedom in Letting Go

A Mother’s Love, a Son’s Mission: Finding Freedom in Letting Go

Welcome to the third week of Lent! This blog aims to serve as a resource for leaders to use and guide their faith community through this meaningful season.

Lent offers a crucial opportunity to deepen the spiritual journeys of your faith community and cultivate a vibrant sense of curiosity for not-yet-followers of Jesus and followers of Jesus alike. However, sustaining engagement throughout Lent can present challenges. This coaching guide draws upon principles from Christian Coaching Essentials to empower you in leading your community through a meaningful Lenten experience.

A Defining Moment

As you guide your faith community through the Stations of the Cross this Lent, the fourth station – Jesus meets his mother – presents a powerful opportunity for contemplation and deeper understanding. Today, I want to share some reflections on this poignant moment, not only as a spiritual event, but also as a lens through which we can examine your own leadership, your ministry, and your community.

The Raw Emotion:

Imagine Mary’s anguish as she witnesses her son, battered and burdened, carrying the instrument of his own demise. Imagine the turmoil in Jesus’s heart, knowing the pain he must endure and the responsibility he carries. This encounter is not about detachment, but about acknowledging the raw emotions of pain, grief, and unwavering love that exist between mother and son, even in the face of unimaginable suffering.

A Call to Authenticity:

As leaders, we often feel the pressure to project strength and composure. Yet, the vulnerability and genuine emotions displayed by Mary and Jesus at this station offer a different perspective. Are you allowing yourselves to truly feel the joys and sorrows of your community? Can you acknowledge your own struggles and limitations with authenticity? Perhaps by showing genuine empathy and vulnerability, you can create deeper connections and stronger relationships.

Beyond Sacrifice, Towards Commitment:

While Jesus’ sacrifice is central to our faith, focusing solely on detachment may miss the broader message. Mary, despite her pain, stands with her son. Similarly, our calling as leaders isn’t simply to endure hardship, but to actively engage with the challenges and opportunities our communities face. How can you move beyond passive acceptance and embrace a commitment to action, inspired by love and service?

Reflection Questions:

  • How do you navigate the challenges of balancing strength and vulnerability in your leadership?
  • Are there areas in your ministry where you feel a need for deeper connection and emotional engagement?
  • What actions can you take to move beyond simply enduring challenges and actively work towards building a stronger, more hopeful community?

The Stations of the Cross offer more than just historical reenactments; they provide opportunities for personal reflection and growth. This Lent, let us pause at the fourth station, not just to witness the pain, but to glean insights that can inspire more authentic, compassionate, and impactful leadership.

Lent Challenge:

Confront a difficult area in your life:

  • What is causing you discomfort spiritually?
  • What disordered attachments are draining your energy?
  • How can you lean into the tension of being strong and vulnerable?

Invite your community to engage in difficult areas in their lives:

  • Use communion as an opportunity during worship services to allow people time to pause, reflect, and present their disordered attachments to the Lord.
  • Equip your small group leaders to come alongside their group members to help them identify disordered attachments and present them to the Lord.
  • Provide a tool to help small group leaders (like the Coach Accelerator) to coach their members by listening well, asking powerful questions, discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit – CLICK HERE.

By applying these principles and drawing upon the wisdom of “Christian Coaching Essentials”, you can guide your congregation on a transformative Lenten journey. Through this shared experience, faith will be strengthened, connections will deepen, and your community will emerge closer than ever before.

Become an InFocus Partner

  • Join a community passionate about making a difference.
  • Invest in leaders who are transforming lives.
  • Witness the impact of your generosity firsthand.

Click here to learn about joining the InFocus family to start your ripple effect!

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Practices for Building Spiritual Resilience This Lent

Practices for Building Spiritual Resilience This Lent

Welcome to the second week of Lent! This blog aims to serve as a resource for leaders to use and guide their faith community through this meaningful season.

Lent offers a crucial opportunity to deepen the spiritual journeys of your faith community and cultivate a vibrant sense of curiosity for not-yet-followers of Jesus as well as Jesus followers. However, sustaining engagement throughout Lent can present its challenges. This coaching guide draws upon principles from “Christian Coaching Essentials” to empower you in leading your community through a meaningful Lenten experience.

A Defining Moment

As you guide your faith community through the Stations of the Cross this Lent, the second station – Jesus falls for the first time – presents a powerful opportunity for contemplation and deeper understanding. This is a reminder to us of Jesus’s very physical limits. Jesus came to earth fully human, with the same capabilities as you and me. It must have been a humbling moment, full of pain and exhaustion for Jesus. It was his strong calling and perfect love that pushed Him to get up again.  

Today, I want to share some reflections on this poignant moment, not only as a spiritual event, but also as a lens through which we can examine your own leadership, your ministry, and your community.

Reflection and Growth:

  • Acknowledge the season’s purpose: Emphasize Lent as a time for introspection, examining relationships, work, and faith. Encourage people to slow down and focus on spiritual health.
  • Connect with last week’s message: Briefly remind your community of the options you presented last week and the Stations of the Cross theme for this week.

1. Jesus’ Example: Falling and Rising:

  • Relate Jesus’ experience: Describe Jesus carrying the cross, emphasizing his humanity and physical limits. This vulnerability resonates with our own challenges.
  • Offer comfort and inspiration: Share Psalm 73:2 and discuss facing “loose footing” moments in life. Highlight Jesus as an example of overcoming and the importance of getting back up.

2. Sharing Personal Challenges:

  • Be vulnerable: Briefly share your “dark night of the soul,” focusing on lessons learned and the importance of navigating challenging times.
  • Provide practical tools: Offer three specific practices (gratitude, centering prayer, intercessory prayer) that has helped you build spiritual resilience.

3. Addressing Painful Reality:

  • Acknowledge limitations: Recognize that traditional church approaches might not fully equip people for difficult moments. Discuss the concept of “The Wall” as a metaphor for these struggles.
  • Identify potential challenges: Briefly mention three reasons why people struggle to overcome hardship (incompatibility, lack of leadership, avoidance).

Encouragement and Reflection:

  • Emphasize perseverance: Encourage congregation members to press on during challenging times, emphasizing the importance of hard work and personal growth.
  • Pose reflection questions: Offer a set of thoughtful questions related to overcoming obstacles, learning from failures, and facing current challenges.

Additional Tips:

  • Consider sharing your own experiences and struggles to encourage vulnerability and connection.
  • Offer additional resources, such as books, articles, or support groups, for those facing difficulties.
  • Create a safe and open space for discussion and sharing within your community.

Lent Challenge:

Navigating The Wall

By applying these principles and drawing upon the wisdom of “Christian Coaching Essentials”, you can guide your congregation on a transformative Lenten journey. Through this shared experience, faith will be strengthened, connections will deepen, and your community will emerge closer than ever before.

“The Wall is one of the most difficult parts of the faith journey and it asks more surrender of us than we may think we are capable of.” // The Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg and Danielle Jones

Become an InFocus Partner

  • Join a community passionate about making a difference.
  • Invest in leaders who are transforming lives.
  • Witness the impact of your generosity firsthand.

Click here to learn about joining the InFocus family to start your ripple effect!

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Embracing the Journey: Walking with Jesus During Lent

Embracing the Journey: Walking with Jesus During Lent

Welcome to the first week of Lent! This blog aims to serve as a resource for leaders to use and guide their faith community through this meaningful season.

Lent offers a crucial opportunity to deepen the spiritual journeys of your faith community and cultivate a vibrant sense of curiosity for not-yet-followers of Jesus as well as Jesus followers. However, sustaining engagement throughout Lent can present its challenges. This coaching guide draws upon principles from “Christian Coaching Essentials” to empower you in leading your community through a meaningful Lenten experience.

A Defining Moment

As you guide your faith community through the Stations of the Cross this Lent, the first station – Jesus carrying his cross – presents a powerful opportunity for contemplation and deeper understanding. Today, I want to share some reflections on this poignant moment, not only as a spiritual event, but also as a lens through which we can examine your own leadership, your ministry, and your community.

“Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha).” // John 19:16-17 (NLT)

Carrying a cross at the time of Pontius Pilate was meant to humiliate and torment those condemned to death. To us these many years later, it has come to mean something very different.

In Luke 9:23-24 Jesus said to the crowds following him:

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it”.

Carrying a cross is symbolic of surrender and submission to our Lord. It is laying down what the world tells us is important and instead taking up the burden of our faith. Carrying our cross requires deep trust in our Lord, and, like Jesus’s trek toward the Place of the Skull, it can feel harrowing, overwhelming and even hopeless at times. However, we also know that Jesus did not carry it alone; Simon of Cyrene was made to carry his cross once Jesus’s body began to fail him. 

Every human needs the help of others to bear our cross. 

Internal Reflection:

Before embarking on this journey, engage in self-reflection. Consider:

  • Community Needs: What burdens, anxieties, or challenges do your members face? How can Lent address these concerns beyond mere ritualistic observation?
  • Cross-Bearing Interpretation: What does “carrying your cross” signify within your community? Does it involve volunteering, prayer, or internal struggles?
  • Safe Spaces for Sharing: How can you facilitate environments conducive to authentic vulnerability and mutual support?

Engaging the Spirit and Senses:

Move beyond traditional methods and ignite enthusiasm through:

  • Sensory Experiences: Craft a contemplative prayer labyrinth, host a silent meditative meal, or organize a service project that promotes action and reflection.
  • Interactive Elements: Foster small group discussions, invite guest speakers with personal testimonies, or incorporate dramatic or musical elements into services.
  • Social Media Integration: Share daily scripture verses, Lenten recipe suggestions, or inspirational quotes from your community. Encourage online discussions and challenges.

Community: The Cornerstone:

Cultivate a sense of community:

  • Small Group Formation: Establish Bible studies, book clubs, or service-oriented groups for meaningful connections and shared growth.
  • Mentorship Programs: Pair seasoned Jesus followers with seekers to offer guidance and friendship, fostering intergenerational support.
  • Intergenerational Activities: Plan events that bring different age groups together, promoting a united sense of purpose and belonging.

Inspiring Action:

Sometimes, the most significant step is the first. Motivate your congregation:

  • Practical Challenges: Encourage specific actions beyond mere “giving up” something. Suggest reducing negativity, dedicating time to specific prayer practices, or engaging in mindful consumption.
  • Milestone Recognition: Celebrate individual and collective achievements throughout Lent, highlighting progress and dedication.
  • Real-World Connections: Demonstrate how Lenten practices can translate into real-world impact by supporting local charities or causes relevant to your community.

Leadership with Authenticity:

Remember, “Christian Coaching Essentials” emphasizes the power of vulnerability and genuineness in effective leadership. Don’t hesitate to:

  • Share Your Own Journey: Openly share your personal Lenten journey, fostering a sense of shared humanity and vulnerability.
  • Utilize Your Team: Lean on your leadership team, delegate tasks effectively, and leverage individual strengths.
  • Embrace Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to try new approaches, learning from successes and failures along the way.

Lent Challenge:

Practice Sabbath Rest (Hebrews 4:3 & 9-11)

  • Solitude: break the power of busyness, haste, isolation and loneliness
  • Silence: allows the reality of God to stand in the midst of your life (Ps 46:10)
  • Fasting: finding the actual kingdom of God present in our lives (Matt 4:4)

“Oddly, through intentional times of practicing spiritual disciplines my walk with Jesus has become more spontaneous.”
The Key to the Keys of the Kingdom by Dallas Willard

By applying these principles and drawing upon the wisdom of “Christian Coaching Essentials”, you can guide your congregation on a transformative Lenten journey. Through this shared experience, faith will be strengthened, connections will deepen, and your community will emerge closer than ever before.

Become an InFocus Partner

  • Join a community passionate about making a difference.
  • Invest in leaders who are transforming lives.
  • Witness the impact of your generosity firsthand.

Click here to learn about joining the InFocus family to start your ripple effect!

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Ignite the Flames of Faith: Coaching Your Congregation to a Transformative Lent

Ignite the Flames of Faith: Coaching Your Congregation to a Transformative Lent

Lent – that bittersweet season of reflection, introspection, and spiritual renewal – once again graces our calendars. Whether you’re a seasoned Lenten observer or just dipping your toes in, this period offers incredible opportunities for growth and transformation.

Now, some may view Lent as a primarily Catholic tradition, but its essence – slowing down, focusing on faith, and preparing for Easter – resonates deeply across denominations. It’s not about rituals and restrictions, but about intentionally inviting the Holy Spirit into your everyday life.

This Lent, let’s embark on a journey together. We’ll walk alongside Jesus through the Stations of the Cross, not just to remember His sacrifice, but to discover lessons relevant to our own leadership: multiplying disciples, building strong communities, and nurturing our faith.

To prepare your hearts and minds for this transformational journey, ask yourselves:

  • What memories or experiences do you have with Lent?
  • What does this season truly mean to you?
  • How can engaging with Jesus during Lent benefit your leadership?

Beyond introspection, Lent encourages action. Reflect on:

  • What area of your life needs your focused attention?
  • What could you be willing to give up to nurture that area?
  • How will you actively draw closer to Jesus throughout Lent?

Remember, Lent isn’t a sprint, but a marathon. Use this blog as a guide for you to lead your congregation well, but don’t hesitate to personalize the journey. Join me weekly as we delve deeper into the Stations of the Cross, extracting discipleship and leadership lessons and applying them to our lives.

Let’s embrace this season with open hearts and a spirit of growth. Remember, as Elizabeth Barrett Browning beautifully penned, “Earth’s crammed with heaven.” This Lent, let’s open our eyes, shed the mundane, and truly see the divine spark in every aspect of our lives, both personal and in our leadership roles.

Together, let’s make this Lent a season of meaningful reflection, renewed purpose, and profound growth.

Additional Tips to Coach Your Congregation to a Transformative Lent:

  • Encourage your community to share their Lenten experiences and goals with each other.
  • Offer resources like devotional materials, prayer guides, and fasting suggestions.
  • Organize group reflections or prayer sessions throughout Lent.
  • Lead by example – share your own Lenten journey and encourage authenticity.

Remember, your goal is to guide and inspire, not dictate. Create a space for personal exploration and meaningful engagement with the season.

May this Lent be one of profound blessing for you and your congregation!

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What Is the Best Way to Turn a Corner?

What Is the Best Way to Turn a Corner?

What is the best way to turn a corner? 

The ultimate goal of coaching is to help people and leaders you are developing or discipling change their lives for the better and grow personally and in their ministries. As you help people prepare for what’s next, it’s important to help them slow down, assess, and adjust so they can round the next corner with confidence. Here’s how…

Reflection helps you to prepare people you are developing for success. You want to help them discover a path that will take them closer and closer to their goals, personal growth, and transformational learning. Reflection conversations lead to positive action. 

The 3 Phases of Reflection

1. Shift from rehearsing the story to reflection

A good way to kick start a coaching conversation is to ask questions to find out what a person is giving their attention to at the moment. Of course, the real agenda might be forthcoming but this will get the ball rolling. Here are the questions I like to use (borrowed with permission from The Coaching Habit by Michael Bunjay Steiner):

  • What’s on your mind?
  • What’s the real challenge for you?
  • What do you want?
  • How can I help?  

Christian Coaching Essentials, p. 48

Inevitably, the people you are developing will use this as an opportunity to share about a situation that springboards into the agenda. As a coach, you ask questions that spur your clients to think deeper. Oftentime, by the end of the conversation, they will gain new insight into themselves by way of reflection.

For example: You are working with a small group coordinator to reignite small group ministry in your congregation, but she has not yet surfaced any real options. In fact, over the course of several conversations, she realizes that the options she has at her disposal are thin and this is beginning to wear on his ministry and personal tolerance levels.  

Questions for rehearsing to reflection:

  • What did this conversation reveal to you?
  • How has your curiosity been sparked?
  • What are you sensing the Holy Spirit wants you to explore further? 

2. Shift from reflection to action

Reflection is so helpful, but not worth much if it is not used to make positive changes. The next step is to take the information the people you are developing have gathered about themselves from the reflection, and take action. 

For example: The small group coordinator has pursued each lead but the trail always halts in a dead end. Now she is left with a real problem: what if a new path to relocate does not emerge?  This throws her into a spiral of despair and unbelief. Your task is to help her see that this is not the end of the road but just the beginning of exploring new avenues, new relationships, and new opportunities.  

The trajectory of your questions must help the client think beyond present circumstances so that she can move up and out of the spiral she finds herself in. There will be some heavy lifting involved for you to challenge her assumptions and break through the mental and spiritual blockages that are holding her back. In this scenario, the client connected with another church in the community that eventually became a partner to help her discover ways to adopt a new small group model.

Questions for reflection to action:

  • What would you like your impact to be?
  • How can you create an environment where that is possible? 
  • Who do you know that knows someone who could help?

Brainstorm Exercise:

  • Using post-it notes, take a pen and ask the people you are working with to brainstorm as many ideas as possible and write each individual idea on a new post-it.  
  • Explain that the goal is quantity, not quality, and that they do not need to organize these in any order.
  • After a designated time to brainstorm ideas (5-7 minutes), ask the people you are working with to organize the post-it notes into groups formed around a similar theme or affinity
  • Examples of groups around the topic of impact: social, financial, spiritual, psychological, marriage, etc. 

3. Shift from Action to Transformational Learning

The final step is coming together again to discuss the results of the action. Once more, this step revolves around conversation and you asking probing and thoughtful questions. The goal is to use the results to help the people you are developing understand their growth and see the transformation that has taken place. 

For example: The small group coordinator has made a shift. There are details to work out every week, but the strategy to relocate has been positive on many fronts: uptick in visitors, stability, and a sense of momentum that comes with those two things.  

Questions for Action to Transformational Learning:

  • How has this experience challenged your thinking?
  • What do you need to change moving forward?
  • What insights do you have about your leadership? 

4 Benefits to the Client

1. Self-discovery

Guiding people through the reflection sequence allows them to come to their own conclusions. “Ah-ha” moments are far more powerful than simply telling a person what they need to do

2. Slow down to go fast

Life in real time rarely leaves space for deeper reflection and learning. The result is repeating the same mistakes. Helping the people you are developing to see the story frame by frame leads to greater awareness and effectiveness in future projects. 

3. Prescriptive vs. Descriptive 

Steps and pathways to growth are great—unless they don’t have an onramp where the people you are developing have access to understand their needs or forcing them to go in unnecessary directions. Prescriptive formulas don’t always fit the context. Instead, taking on a strategic role in a creative process allows your client to describe and process their own experiences, which leads to powerful insights. 

4. Surfaces values

Processing conversations gives people you are developing the opportunity to allow values to percolate to the surface. When a person has clearly defined values, they are able to make decisions with greater confidence. 

It is so clear how this young woman used each step of the sequence to great effect. She was given permission to reflect, advance her thinking from reflection into action for transformational learning that will change the trajectory of her own life and of those around her. This is a process that will push your clients to think deeper, ask more questions, develop a strong vision and take action. Ultimately, this process produces results! 

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