Healthy, Adaptive, Joyous: I help folks name the truth about how hard church life is these days. Whether PCUSA or UCC (frankly anywhere in the mainline) being honest is the starting point for freeing up considerable energy locked up in denial, fear, and grief. A healthy community learns and changes, opening new channels for ministry. Nobody can promise outcomes; that has always been God’s business anyways, not ours. There is great hope (and even joy!) for those who would share the journey (H.A.J.!)

First, lets be courageous in speaking to one another…

Your church wasn’t doing well even before COVID. Nor was your Presbytery or UCC Conference! We are all struggling like never before. The pandemic was brutal and stressful. But also in many ways creative. Looking around the sanctuary we are still in shock. Our congregations have aged 10 years since 2020. Grief pervades the story we tell about ourselves and our community life, clouding decision making, weighing down leadership. The year is 2026 and you need plans for how to make it to 2030.,

Your Pastor feels this all too keenly. Yet, she is reluctant to talk openly about it. He fears unduly discouraging the congregation. Your denominational leadership sees this even more clearly due to the unbelievable universality of this experience. We need leadership that steps forward. They should tell the hard truths about the state of the church. This allows us to plot new ways ahead!

I’ve got two great Transitional/Interim experiences under my belt already; PCUSA and United Church of Christ. Let me come shepherd your congregation for a few seasons while we do the creative work of Transitional Ministry. We will revisit the past in in re-framing and energizing manner. We will look creatively at how we are seen beyond our walls and gain a new perception of our work. We’ll strengthen the body in fellowship, education and worship while we’re doing it all.

It’s better to share the journey together. Healthy, Adaptive, Joyous.