Christian Learning Center › Forums › Discussion Forum › What have you noticed or learned are the most pressing concerns and issues that church or ministry members seek counsel on or ask for from your church or organization in your specific context? / How might you and the rest of your church’s or organization’s leadership team respond to these changing needs effectively as redemptive leaders? What actions are required to respond suitably? / What further reading or resources have helped you in your leadership development, especially to meet the changing needs of your community?
Tagged: ML100-05
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What have you noticed or learned are the most pressing concerns and issues that church or ministry members seek counsel on or ask for from your church or organization in your specific context? / How might you and the rest of your church’s or organization’s leadership team respond to these changing needs effectively as redemptive leaders? What actions are required to respond suitably? / What further reading or resources have helped you in your leadership development, especially to meet the changing needs of your community?
Posted by Austin on 11/12/2023 at 20:26Austin replied 4 months, 1 week ago 20 Members · 21 Replies -
21 Replies
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I have seen a changes in society over the years which have carried over into the church and other ministries. People have definitely become more relational and seek relationships. While COVID certainly added increased the pace, the idea of having deeper and more authentic relationships started well before 2020. As our society has become more transient, so have our relationships. I work in a Christian school, and I see it there, as well. More students move due to parent job situations, come or leave school due to finances, etc., and children are not immune to the need of deep relationships.
As a leader both within my church and school, it is important for me to care deeply for those around me, but I also need to be aware that I am only one person. I think redemptive leaders should seek out others who are mature and authentic in their walk with the Lord and invite them to come along side those who are seeking relationship. We need to openly share our walk with the Lord and encourage others to do so.
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I’ve noticed that the most pressing concerns our church members seek counsel on include mental health issues, relationship conflicts, significant life transitions, and desires for spiritual growth. In response, our leadership team can embody redemptive leadership principles by creating supportive environments, offering relevant resources, encouraging open communication, and promoting a culture of compassion.
To effectively address these changing needs, we must regularly assess the concerns of our community, train our leaders in essential skills, and foster partnerships with local mental health professionals.
In my own leadership development, I’ve found resources like “The Emotionally Healthy Church” by Peter Scazzero and “Leading with a Limp” by Bonnie L. Stoll particularly helpful. Attending workshops focused on mental health has also equipped me with practical tools to support our members. By continually learning and adapting, I believe we can better serve our community and create an environment that reflects the principles of redemptive leadership.
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There’s been a great need to get the youth off the streets at night they are unemployed and bored so I brought about a youth club and organised youth weekends where a bus takes the group camping and on the weekends they have prayer times and discussion groups and times reading the bible together but no pressure but on a casual basis
Youth club has included bible study nights and snooker poole and Scrabble tournaments and music nights when there is safe areas to chat to each other but not in a nightclub situation
Also nights where youth can discuss their worries with plaster and peers and share strategies for healing in the midst of asking for Jesus help in hearing the mind and behaviours
This has been and is still successful
Also many parents have felt hopeless with reading and writing skills never been a part of life for them so asking congregants to come forward to help others has had marvellous impact in basis workshops which include prayer and asking for god’s blessings
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In my personal leadership experience, the members of my small group and Sunday School class are looking for someone who is authentic and lives out their faith. They want someone who is not afraid to share their personal faith journey, including successes, trials, and failures. They are looking for someone to model faith and be willing to be personal to them with their specific needs through prayer, time, and devotions and scripture reading. But they are also looking for someone who will be their spiritual sister, someone who will walk with them through their own life trials and tribulations. They are looking for a Christ-follower who will walk beside them in faith, tackling the journey together.
Our church is currently focusing on small group life. This is a context that promotes spiritual growth through personal interaction. I love it. My heart loves to minister there. All of these classes in the biblical ministries certificate have deepened my faith and have shown me ways to be a better leader with my people. I continue to spend time in my bible, prayer, devotions, and praise and worship to keep my faith growing closer to God. When I do that, the Holy Spirit directs me in how to minister to those around me. It is a pretty awesome experience, growing in God.
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Smaller groups are much more intimate and able to develop deeper relationships. As a teacher at a Christian school, I see that in classrooms, as well.
I think it is amazing how God speaks through His word. I like to spend time just in that – no devotional, no radio pastor, no podcast. I do not think we do enough of being quiet before the Lord.
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What I have noticed is that there is a hunger for the word of God, but not too much God. In the congregation I attend, there are questions about types of worship, ie. choir or contemporary. We have a multi-generational congregation so do we turn it up, or down. The only way I know to respond to the many needs and varieties of the body of a congregation is to rely upon God for direction. While the numbers in Christianity are slowly decreasing nationwide, the truly faithful seem to be the same. Many come just to be nourished, while the few desire to serve. Fads and trends are out there, and we can always find a megachurch to sooth our our souls, but what we really need is to hear from and trust God. The greatest problem I see is people relying upon political trends and personalities. Listening to the Christian Nationalist and taking there eyes off the throne of God almighty. The further resources are available inside our communities. There is a major homeless crowd, we need to welcome them. For the next generation just starting out, welcome them. For the elder generation (where I am), we need to be the mentors and friends of this next generation. Passing down what we have learned in HOW TO TRUST GOD.