On Thursday, March 12, 450 female pastors/clergy joined together at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Asheville, North Carolina. It was one of the most moving worship times, and as a very diverse group of lady leaders sang their hearts out…the room was just aching with hope, oppression, dreams and disappointments. The picture below is possibly one of the last in-person gatherings of leaders that will happen for a very long time.
During a powerful opening session with Danielle Strickland, the governor of North Carolina released a statement restricting any gatherings to no more than 100 people. The conference leaders navigated the next few days brilliantly to accommodate the changing realities of public health requirements. At that point, there were under 1500 cases in the US. No one truly understood where we were heading as a global community, any more than we actually do right now.
Within days the President of the US urged us to groups no more than 10, and now I write from my back porch as our family, maybe like yours, is learning how to adjust to a “shelter in place” lifestyle. The US now leads the world in known cases, at roughly 86,000. Our family is grateful to be together, and hopeful that this collective restraint will indeed “flatten the curve”.
In the midst of this current dark hour for our world, we believe it has never been more important to help the world care for the soul.
We need a global force of Jesus’ people anchored deeply in those unforced rhythms of grace if we hope to navigate this new reality under God’s guidance and in his way.
We are rapidly and prayerfully cooking up new ways to offer presence, guidance, and companionship. A few Soul Care resources and opportunities you for today:
Watch/Chat: Here is a live re-broadcast of Soul Care for leaders session from Spire Conference last year.
Read: Navigating People at this Time guest blog for Church leaders on thechurch.digital
Listen: Soul Searching 7 minute audio meditation
Connect: If you or someone you know would benefit from support from a Spiritual Director or Leadership Coach during this time, please reach out.
Care for your own souls, my friends. And then help others around you stay connected with God in the midst of great suffering and fear. Shine like stars against the darkness. Bring authenticity, hope, wisdom, healing, and peace.
Walking alongside you,
Mindy