Lead Like Jesus

Lead Like Jesus

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 Lent, this season 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 Duality of Hosanna:

Luke 19:28-44 highlights the fascinating duality of the word “Hosanna.” On the surface, it’s a joyous cry of praise. But its Aramaic root, “Oshana,” reveals a deeper meaning: a desperate plea for salvation. This hidden layer adds complexity to the scene on Palm Sunday. The crowds weren’t just celebrating a triumphant leader; they were also yearning for deliverance, perhaps from Roman rule or their own struggles.

Jesus’ Knowing Sacrifice:

The passage emphasizes that Jesus understood the true cost of his upcoming sacrifice. He knew the celebratory cheers would soon turn to cries for his crucifixion. Yet, his love for humanity compelled him to persevere. This adds a layer of poignancy to his journey into Jerusalem.

The Invitation to Self-Reflection:

The account confronts us with our own human flaws. We are reminded that we, like the Jerusalem crowd, are capable of both praising Jesus and contributing to his suffering through our sins. This introspection can be a powerful call to humility and repentance.

Spiritual Disciplines for Growth:

The passage goes beyond simply conveying the story. It offers practical ways to deepen your faith during Holy Week and beyond. It introduces the concept of “spiritual disciplines,” practices that can strengthen your connection to God. Examples include:

  • Bible Reading and Study: Regularly engaging with scripture allows you to learn from God’s word and receive guidance.
  • Worship: Expressing praise and adoration to God through singing, prayer, or simply reflecting on his majesty.
  • Prayer: Building a two-way conversation with God, sharing your joys, struggles, and petitions.
  • Service: Putting your faith into action by helping others in need.
  • Fasting: Abstain in some significant way from food and possibly from drink as well. 

Reflection as a Tool for Growth:

The passage concludes with questions for reflection. Taking time to ponder these questions can be a powerful tool for personal growth:

  • How has your understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice evolved over time?
  • What aspects of the Holy Week story resonate most with you this year?
  • How can you use the coming week to draw closer to God?
  • Which spiritual disciplines feel most appealing to explore?

By reflecting on these points, you can personalize your Lenten experience and deepen your connection to the message of sacrifice and salvation.

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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Have You Ever Felt Like You’re Sliding Backwards?

Have You Ever Felt Like You’re Sliding Backwards?

This week, as we reflect on the Stations of the Cross, let’s look at the image of Jesus falling for the second time. Even with help from Simon and the tenderness of Veronica, Jesus stumbles. This isn’t the first obstacle – he’s been beaten, mocked, and forced to carry the weight of the world. But this second fall feels different. It’s a moment of utter exhaustion, a crushing weight that threatens to keep him down.

Can you relate? We all face challenges. We get knocked down, dust ourselves off, and keep going. But then life throws a curveball – the death of a loved one, a job loss, a broken relationship. These aren’t just bumps in the road; they’re like trudging up a slippery hill, feeling like you’re constantly sliding backwards.

But here’s the truth: Jesus gets it. His second fall isn’t weakness; it’s a profound reminder that sometimes perseverance feels like an uphill battle.

What if we could prevent these moments of crisis? Imagine a world where marriages thrive instead of ending in divorce. What if, instead of just reacting to problems, we focused on strengthening the roots of our faith?

The answer lies in “deep work” with Jesus. Just like a wilting plant needs more than a quick watering, our spiritual lives need focused attention. This might involve practices like:

  • Solitude: Finding quiet space to connect with God.
  • Silence: Stilling our minds to hear God’s voice.
  • Fasting: Denying ourselves something to focus on God.
  • Sabbath: Taking a break to rest and recharge in God’s presence.

These aren’t about feeling guilty or missing out. They’re tools to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, a wellspring of strength to draw from during those inevitable moments when you feel like you’re falling.

So, take a deep breath. Remember, Jesus kept going. Find your source of strength, and take that next step, even if it feels like a small one.

Who will walk with you on this journey? Consider a spiritual director or a trusted friend to offer encouragement and support.

Because perseverance isn’t about never falling. It’s about choosing to get back up, again and again.

Reflection Questions for you and your community:

  1. How do you most naturally encounter Jesus?
  2. How are you nurturing your relationship with Jesus?
  3. How are you creating space for people in your community to encounter Jesus?
  4. What challenges or opportunities is your community facing?
  5. What is your vision for the future of your community?

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!

Photo by Vladyslav Tobolenko on Unsplash

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!

Photo by Thomas Jarrand on Unsplash

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!

Photo by Saulius Sutkus on Unsplash

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!

Photo by Thanti Riess on Unsplash

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!

Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash