Announcing a Discernment Program for Church Boards - February 2022 →

Congregational boards have the important work of oversight and discernment about the mission of the local community of faith.  How equipped are you for this discernment role?   

Most congregations rely on rational decision making to guide their leadership choices. Liminal seasons invite us to shift out of rational decision-making mode and into a more discerning mindset. Discernment is an attentiveness to God that, over time, develops into a shared sense of God’s intention for us and our community now. This year long program will equip you and your board for deepened group discernment practices.

PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROGRAM WILL:  

  • Enter a three-way conversation engaging God, the soul of the leader, and the soul of the institution.  

  • Challenge the default position of most congregations to resort immediately to group decision making.  

  • Deepen their skills as group discernment facilitators.  

  • Learn how to structure a group discernment process and where to locate discernment activity in the life of a congregation.  

  • Develop a toolbox of practices for opening to God and listening to one another.  

Learn more

With Susan Beaumont

Susan has worked with hundreds of congregations and denominational bodies across the United States and in Canada.  She is known for her ground-breaking work in the leadership dynamics of large congregations. 

Before establishing her own practice, Susan worked for nine years as a Senior Consultant with the Alban Institute. Susan has also served on the faculty of two business schools, teaching graduate level courses in leadership, management and organizational behavior.   Susan brings her experience as a trained Spiritual Director to this organizational level learning and work.

And Allison Rennie

Allison is a gifted educator, animateur, and team mate, deeply passionate about nurturing leadership and spirituality of people all ages. Allison has been engaged in raising and shaping leaders for over 30 years. With experience at all levels of the United Church, Allison is currently Director of LeaderShift for the Pacific Mountain and Chinook Winds Regional Councils.

Aligning You, Again, to God's Movement in your Life and Leadership Work

Autumn falls around us,  
   
   the day gives more dim than light 

          We turn to one another for comfort 

          We draw down to the earth for cover 

          We turn our selves to the light like the leaves on the maple drawing red 
               from the dark and cool nights 

And yet, we know 

     The light of song 

     The light of company 

     The light of silence 

And we proclaim,  

whether we can see it or not, 

This day is full of all the Light that ever was light – 


 

Dear One, 


As you draw in the energy and clarity needed for leadership in the coming winter and seasons of Advent and Christmas, I want to also draw your attention to offerings to restore you in the new year:
 

Alignment

Renewing Leadership is an event that can meet you in your desire to connect again with your core purpose, your vocation, and to again align with God’s movement in your life and work. This is an event for active ministry personnel. Holy Ground: Seeding the Soil of Wild Church is an opportunity for you to experience Wild Church and develop capacity to engage in land-based spiritual experiences where you live. These two retreats are being held in-person at Loon Lake Retreat Centre in Maple Ridge. They are back-to-back – maybe you’d like to come for one and stay for both!  Register now:

We have promoted the opportunity for deepened learning, allyship, and active reconciliation by offering a 50% discount for kinShift’s workshop series Elements of Truth: Before Reconciliation. The feedback on these sessions has been very, very positive. Please use our discount code on the kinShift EventBrite registration page.  

  • 50% off Discount Code: SHIFT50

What’s Next? These weekly conversations continue engaging the themes and topics related to integrating online and in-person experiences in your community of faith. Check out the next few topics and invite key leaders in your community to join in.
  

In the Works

  • For Church Boards: Developing your Capacity for Discernment and Spiritual Leadership - with highly regarded writer, spiritual director, and congregational consultant Susan Beaumont. This will be an in-depth workshop over several months. Details and registration coming soon.

  • For everyone: Second Annual Festival of Biblical Storytelling! April 22- 24, 2022. Save the Date!

Our Survey

And warm thanks to those of you who have contributed to the Now and Future Reflection survey that we have open - it's about LeaderShift's ministry and presence in your life and leadership. If you haven’t shared your thoughts with us yet, please do here. We value your input.
 

In gratitude  

Allison 

Now and Future Reflection: Our LeaderShift Survey

The sumac and the burning bush 

 are burning now,  

together with our lungs crisp from frost and freeze, 

and the Aurora of the midnight sky! doesn’t it also burn! 

and you - 

what part of you flares now before surrender 

to harvest and to winter and 

to hope 

poem and image copyright Allison Rennie

Dear Friends,

Along with the following invitations to join in learning, in retreat, in mutual exploration over the coming few months, LeaderShift is in a period of harvest and reflection. We are harvesting the learning, the stories, and the questions that arise now in the 20th month of pandemic shaped ministry and leadership.  

Please take some time to review the programs and conversations listed here and respond to our questionnaire. Your responses contribute to our capacity to stay aligned with emerging leadership needs, questions, gaps, and yearning. 

Thank you for presence in all the places you are called these Spirit-filled darkening days.   

Faithfully,

Allison

Director