All posts by mjfelker1980

STRENGTH

When we think of strength, we often envision someone with physical power and endurance. But strength for ministry? It’s all about RESILIENCE. It’s about standing firm and bouncing back when life and ministry get tough. For us as church leaders, our well-being isn’t just physical health. It’s a sense of overall health and well-being in every area of your life – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational.

The Five Pillars of Well-Being

  1. Mental Health: Our thoughts shape our actions. A healthy mindset is essential for resilience. This means managing stress, practicing gratitude, and always seeking to learn and grow.
  2. Emotional Health: Emotions are powerful. Building emotional resilience means understanding and managing our feelings, and maintaining a positive outlook even when things get tough.
  3. Physical Health: Our bodies are the vehicles for our work. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep are non-negotiables for building strength and capacity.
  4. Spiritual Health: Our faith is our foundation. Strengthening your spiritual life through prayer and study deepens our connection with God and fuels the heart of your ministry.
  5. Relational Health: We are designed for relationships. Strong, healthy connections provide support and encouragement, making us more resilient in the face of adversity.

Building Habits In Every Season

Just like the seasons change, so do the demands of life and ministry. Building habits for resilience equips us to handle these changes with grace and strength. Here’s how to get started:

  • Assess Your Current Health: Take a close look at each area of your well-being. Identify your strengths and the areas where you need growth.
  • Set SMARTER Goals: Create Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely goals, and consider what you need to be Equipped with to reach your goals and what Relationships will help you succeed.
  • Develop a Plan: Outline practical steps to reach your goals. Make sure to include activities that promote balance in all areas of your life.
  • Seek Support: Don’t go it alone. Engage with mentors, friends, and coaches who can guide and encourage you.
  • Stay Committed: Building resilience is a journey. Stay committed to your habits, and adjust as needed to keep moving forward.

As a pastoral coach and church consultant, I’m here to help you build these habits and prepare for every season of your life and ministry. Together, we can enhance your resilience and ensure that you’re thriving in all aspects of your well-being.

#StrengthInFaith #HealthyLeadership

CLARITY

In the fast-paced and often overwhelming world of ministry, clarity is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Without a clear vision of where you’re going and how to get there, it’s easy to feel stuck, frustrated, and ineffective. But when you achieve clarity, it fuels progress and propels you forward in ways you never thought possible.

The Power of Knowing Where You’re Going

Imagine setting off on a journey with no map, no destination, and no idea of the terrain ahead. You’d likely wander aimlessly, waste precious time, and risk giving up in frustration. The same holds true in ministry. To be effective and to make a real impact, you must know where you’re headed. This means having a clear vision for your ministry and understanding the steps needed to reach your goals.

A Pathway Forward

Clarity doesn’t just happen; it’s a process of discovery. It involves asking the right questions, seeking wisdom, and taking time to reflect and pray. Here are a few steps to help you think through challenges and gain clarity in your ministry:

  1. Define Your Vision: What is your ultimate goal for your ministry? What do you hope to achieve in the next year, five years, or ten years? Write it down and be specific.
  2. Assess Your Current Reality: Where are you now in relationship to your vision? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What opportunities and challenges does your face?
  3. Identify Key Steps: What are the critical steps you need to take to move from where you are now to where you want to be? Break your vision down into manageable tasks and… here is the key… set realistic and specific deadlines for each step you hope to accomplish.
  4. Seek Input: Don’t go it alone. Seek input from a trusted mentor or pastoral coach. Their insights, perspectives, and questions can help you see things more clearly and avoid potential pitfalls.
  5. Pray and Reflect: Spend time in prayer and reflection. Ask God for wisdom and clarity. Trust that He will guide you as you seek to do His will.

Taking Bold Steps Forward

Once you have some clarity, it’s time to take action. This means stepping out in faith and taking bold steps forward. It might mean making difficult decisions, trying new approaches, or letting go of things that no longer serve you or your church’s vision. Remember, progress almost always requires stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing change.

Embrace the Journey

Clarity in ministry is not a one-time achievement; it’s an ongoing journey. As you move forward, continue to seek clarity at every step, adjust your course as needed, and celebrate your progress. By doing so, you’ll not only achieve your vision but also inspire and lead others with greater impact and influence.

Discussion Questions for Church Leaders

  1. Take a moment to reflect on a time when your vision was crystal clear. What was different about that season? How did it influence your decisions and actions?
  2. Identify specific aspects of your ministry that feel uncertain or confusing. How is this ambiguity affecting those you lead? Consider practical steps you can take to gain clarity and lead more effectively.
  3. Bring to mind a major decision that is on the horizon. How can you intentionally seek clarity in this situation? Discuss the role of prayer, wise counsel, and personal reflection in gaining the insight you need.

Are you ready to gain the clarity you need to fuel your progress and thrive in your ministry? Imagine discovering the solutions you’ve been searching for and taking bold steps forward for both your life and ministry. As a pastor or church leader, your vision and direction are crucial. 

That’s why I’m inviting you to book an introductory call with me. Let’s explore how Kicking at the Darkness’ coaching and consulting services can help you achieve the clarity and focus you need to thrive personally and professionally. 

Don’t wait to take this important step. Together, we can unlock your God given potential and create a path toward a life and ministry that is sustainable over the long-haul. Book your FREE call today, and let’s start your journey toward clarity and progress. #ClarityInMinistry #LeadershipVision

HOPE

In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, hope can sometimes seem like a distant dream—a mirage we chase but never quite reach. Yet, as church leaders, we are called to a different understanding. Hope, in the Christian context, is not wishful thinking or blind optimism. It is a confident expectation rooted in the unchanging nature of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, writes this beautiful prayer and blessing: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace…” (Romans 15:13). This passage invites us to see that hope not a far-off dream but as a present reality, accessible and transformative.

Trusting in God’s Faithfulness

To hope is to trust in God’s faithfulness. It is to discover that His promises are true and that His goodness extends into our future. This trust isn’t built on our circumstances, which can change and often disappoint. Instead, it is anchored in the character of God, who is steadfast and unchanging.

Experiencing Joy and Peace

The hope we have in God is meant to fill us with joy and peace. These are not fleeting emotions but deep-seated states of being that arise from knowing we are held by a God who loves us and has good plans for us. When we rest in this hope, we find that our outlook on life and ministry changes. We become more resilient, more patient, and more willing to embrace the journey, no matter how uncertain it may seem.

Practical Steps to Cultivate Hope

  1. Meditate on Scripture: Spend time in the Word, focusing on passages that speak of God’s promises and His faithfulness. Let these truths sink deep into your heart.
  2. Prayer and Reflection: Regularly bring your hopes and fears before God. Allow Him to speak into your life, providing reassurance and clarity.
  3. Relational Support: Surround yourself with fellow pastors and church leaders who can encourage you and remind you of God’s goodness.
  4. Gratitude Practice: Cultivate a habit of gratitude, recognizing the ways God has been faithful in your past. This builds your trust in His future provision.

As we trust in God’s goodness and look forward with confident expectation, we can experience the joy and peace that comes from the God of hope. Let’s embrace this hope today, knowing that it transforms our understanding of the present and lights the path toward our future.

3 Keys to Keeping and Developing Church Staff for the Long Haul

The average pastor stays at a congregation for less than four years (sometimes much less), which can lead to instability and seasons of constant transitions for churches. If you want to keep your church staff for the long haul, here are three essential keys to consider:

1. Pay Them Well

One of the most impactful ways to ensure that your pastors and church staff stay with you for the long term is to offer them a salary that aligns with the actual cost of living in your area. Competitive compensation allows ministers to put down roots in your community, including the ability to purchase a home rather than just renting. This financial stability helps to provide a foundation for long-term commitment and confidence in their role within the church. When staff feel financially secure, they are more likely to invest themselves fully into their ministry and the community they serve.

When it comes to compensation, a good place to start is to research what the average starting teacher’s salary is in your area. This will help you understand the baseline for what cost of living looks like around your church. Of course, church size, education level, and experience should also be considered when creating a compensation for church staff. The Siburt Institute’s Ministers’ Salary Survey is an annual, nationwide survey of ministerial compensation packages for all areas of ministry. I highly recommend any church looking to hire a new pastor to dig into the details of this survey.

2. Provide Opportunities for Growth

Ministry is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. To keep your staff thriving both personally and professionally, it’s crucial to offer continuous opportunities for growth. This includes:

  • Training and Development: Regularly provide access to workshops, courses, and conferences that allow staff to enhance their skills and stay updated on new ministry approaches.
  • Emotional and Spiritual Growth: Encourage staff to engage in activities that nurture their emotional and spiritual well-being, such as retreats, coaching, and spiritual direction.
  • Rest and Renewal: Ensure that staff have ample time for rest and renewal. This can include regular days off, generous vacation time, and a supportive environment that emphasizes the importance of work-life balance.

When church staff are given the resources and time to grow, they can better serve the congregation and remain passionate about their calling.

3. Pray With and Over Them Regularly

Prayer is a powerful tool for building strong relationships and demonstrating care for your church staff. Regularly praying with your pastors fosters a deep connection at the heart level, creating a shared spiritual bond. It shows that you are united in your mission and values. Praying over them, on the other hand, is a way to express your love and appreciation for them as individuals. It communicates that they are valued not merely as employees but as beloved members of your community.

Regular prayer for and with your staff can uplift their spirits, provide encouragement during challenging times, and reinforce their sense of purpose and belonging.

By paying your church staff well, providing continuous opportunities for growth, and engaging in regular prayer with and over them, you can create a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages long-term commitment. These three keys are foundational to developing a dedicated and thriving church staff that can lead your congregation with stability and passion for years to come.

Question: What are some other keys that you have discovered to keeping and developing pastoral staff for the long haul?

7 Books Every Church Leader Should Read This Spring

It’s beginning to feel a lot like Spring. The sun is staying with us a bit longer each day. We can begin to see renewal and new life blooming all around us but what about inside of us. Spring can be an opportunity to start something new, begin new habits, grow in an area of your life that feels stagnated.

One of the best ways for a leader to grow is through working through a book to gain more knowledge and wisdom about personal development, leadership, team building, or strategic thinking. One of the things I love about reading for growth is that I get to spend hours with someone who has gone before me, identified issues, and experienced transformation. Much like coaching, reading helps speed up the learning curve. 

With this in mind, I want to share with you 7 Books Every Church Leader Should Read This Spring:

  1. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero

Scazzero shares from his personal experiences how surface level living almost derailed his personal life and professional ministry. Only when a leader gets emotionally mature can they lead with spiritual maturity. If I were to choose one book to start with this Spring, it would be this one. Scazzero identifies 7 Pathways of Emotional Healthy Spirituality that hae the potential to transform your life and leadership… if you are willing to get below the surface.

“A lack of emotional health in the early years of my ministry almost cost me everything—my marriage, my family, my work, and my own well-being. I am thankful to God for his mercy. This mercy enabled me not only to survive but to enjoy a richness and joy in the Christian life that I had given up believing was possible. If you are hungry for God to transform you as well as those around you, I invite you to continue reading.”

2. A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards

In this retelling of the lives of Saul and David – the first two kings of Israel – the question becomes: What kind of leader will you be? Will you rely on title, external power, or your own will? Will you become bitter and seek revenge on those who hurt you? Will you submit in humility and wait on the Lord or will you take any and every opportunity to take what is rightfully yours? I promise you… this book is not about the people around you. A Tale of Three Kings is written for you. If you have enough courage, it will help you reveal areas of your life and leadership that are hidden in the shadows. It will speak to your hurts and disappointments. It will make space for you to wrestle with your place in God’s Story. 

“I believe we will find the story to be in two parts. In part 1 we shall meet an older king, Saul by name, and a young shepherd boy named David. In part 2 we shall once more meet an older king and a young man. But this time the older king is David and  the young man is Absalom. The story is a portrait (you might prefer to call it a rough charcoal sketch) of submission and authority within the kingdom of God. Ah, they have turned off the lights, and the players have taken their places. The audience has quieted itself. The curtain is rising. Our story has begun.”

3. A Failure of Nerve by Edwin Friedman

When I first read A Failure of Nerve, it was though every light in my house turned on at once. I could suddenly see why I reacted the way I did in certain situations. It help me understand why other leaders made certain decisions or acted in a particular way in leadership situations. Friedman takes concepts first identified in Bowen Family Systems and applies them to the larger world in organizations, churches, synagogs, and politics. Chronic Anxiety – disproportionate emotional reactivity – will derail your own thought processes, your team, and your organization. Learning how to be differentiated (separate yet connected) and becoming a non-anxious presence (emotionally regulated) have been game-changers for me both personally and professionally.

The five aspects of chronic anxiety are reactivity, herding, blaming, a quick-fix mentality, and lack of leadership—the last not only a fifth characteristic of societal regression but one that stems from and contributes to the other four. Each of these perverts natural principles of evolution, namely, self-regulation, adaptation to strength, the response to challenge, and allowing time for processes to mature.”

4. Boundaries for Leaders by Dr Henry Cloud

I’m actually re-reading this book this Spring because of the season I am in right now. Too often, leaders become discouraged when they are facing challenges from every direction. The best way to reign in the chaos is to take personal responsibility on that which you can control. Cloud reminds leaders that they are ridiculously in control of the boundaries they set forth for their team or organziation – expectations, attitude, example, etc.

“You may be beginning to lead something new, or you may be focusing on turning something around and making it better. A leader’s clear boundaries are often what an organization is waiting for, and when it happens, it can create the most valuable company in the world. When a leader steps up and leads, and sets boundaries that provide clarity that cuts through the noise, it is a new day.”

5. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton

What good is it to gain the world of leadership tips and tricks and lose your soul along the way? Ruth Haley Barton, using the life and leadership of Moses, goes beyond developing skills for leadership and invites us to develop our souls. I’ve always identified with Moses. We were both adopted. Moses had the tendency to lose his temper and lash out in anger. He overfunctioned as a leader until he nearly burned out. He got frustrated with people. He wrestled with the awesome leadership burdens he was tasked with. Barton brings all of these things into focus and provides practical ideas for developing what is happening inside you so that you can lead from the overflow of your soul.

“Strengthening the soul of your leadership is an invitation to enter more deeply into the process of spiritual transformation and to choose to lead from that place. It is an opportunity to forge a connection between our souls and our leadership rather than experiencing them as separate arenas of our lives. Spiritual transformation is the process by which Christ is formed in us for the glory of God, for the abundance of our own lives and for the sake of others. God is the one who initiates and guides the process and brings it to fruition. The soul-full leader is appropriately humbled by this realization and also relieved to not have to bear the heavy weight of responsibility for changing herself or others. The soul-full leader is faithful to the one thing he can do—create the conditions that set us up for an encounter with God in the places where we need it most. To continually seek God in the crucible of ministry no matter how hard it gets.”

6. Canoeing the Mountains by Tod Bolisinger

Probably no other book has been “right on time” like Canoeing the Mountains. Many discovered this book just prior to and during the COVID lockdowns. There were many technical problems to be faced during that time and pastors really rose to the occasion. Creative solutions for how to deliver Sunday services over the internet and how to remain connect to their congregations helped keep many leaders motivated during a difficult season. However, as COVID season began to drag on it became apparent that the old ways of doing ministry were no longer capable of taking us into the new world we were and will continue to face. The Lewis and Clark Expedition expected to canoe all the way to the Pacific. The Rocky Mountains changed those plans. What got us here… will not get us there. 

“A couple of years ago I learned that three of my pastor friends around the country had resigned on the same day. There were no affairs, no scandals and no one was renouncing faith. But three good, experienced pastors turned in resignations and walked away. One left church ministry altogether. The details are as different as the pastors themselves, but the common thread is that they finally got worn down by trying to bring change to a church that was stuck and didn’t know what to do. Their churches were stuck and declining, stuck and clinging to the past, stuck and lurching to quick fixes, trying to find an easy answer for what were clearly bigger challenges. What all three churches had in common was that they were mostly blaming the pastor for how bad it felt to be so stuck. “If only you could preach better!” “If only you were more pastoral and caring!” “If only our worship was more dynamic!” “Please, pastor, do something!” (That is what we pay you for, isn’t it?) And to make matters worse, the pastors don’t know what to do either. In this changing world we need to add a new set of leadership tools. This is a guidebook for learning to lead in a world we weren’t prepared for.”

7. Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs by Steve Cuss

I believe that Leadership requires you to bring your thoughts, emotions, and actions in alignment so that you can function well and provide space for others to do the same. Anxiety – disproportionate emotional reactions and responses – shut down our ability to think, feel, and act appropriately. In Managing Leadership Anxiety, Cuss will help you identify your own anxious reactions and how to recognize anxious reactions in others.

“Leaders face a steady onslaught of internal and external pressures we are not trained to handle. We focus on skill development and hone our gifts but too often neglect the most powerful leadership tool: awareness of what is happening under the surface. All manner of triggers, reactivity, and stories we tell ourselves bubble just under our conscious awareness. This boiling collective blocks our capacity to be present because it takes energy to manage, especially when we’re not aware of it or when we’re reacting unconsciously to anxiety in someone else. This book will help diagnose what is causing your anxiety and also provide you with prescriptive tools to help diffuse anxiety—moving you from being managed by anxiety to managing anxiety, both yours and theirs. You will become more self-aware, but becoming aware is only step one in the growth process. We all know people who are self-aware but do tremendous damage, or even people who use self-awareness as permission to stay the same. Awareness is critical to be sure, but it is not the path of growth, it is simply the gate. We unlock it and walk through it, but on the other side of self-awareness is difficult work that brings deeper freedom for us and those we serve. This is no small journey.”

FREE SPIRITUAL CARE & COACHING IN DECEMBER

We are now in that unique time of the year in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. At Kicking at the Darkness, I believe in supporting and empowering pastors who invest their lives to serving others and who are making a positive Kingdom impact in their communities. That’s why, in the spirit of giving, I’m excited to announce a special offer for the month of December – free coaching sessions for pastors!

Why Pastors Need Coaching

Navigating Personal Challenges:Pastors often find themselves at the forefront of providing support to others, but who is supporting you? Kicking at the Darkness coaching sessions aim to create a safe space for pastors to explore personal challenges, set meaningful goals, and develop strategies for personal well-being health.

Enhancing Professional Leadership:The demands of leading a congregation can be overwhelming. Through coaching, I will help you enhance your leadership skills, develop effective team communication, and engage in strategic planning to help you cultivate a thriving and resilient ministry.

Free Coaching In December:

Personalized Sessions:Each week in December, we will meet together over the phone or through video chat for individual sessions to address your specific needs to create a coaching experience that is impactful and relevant to your life and ministry.

Goal Setting and Planning: Together, we’ll work on setting clear, achievable goals for both personal and professional growth to make 2024 your best year ever! Whether it’s improving you work-life strategy, refining leadership skills, or pursuing a specific ministry initiative, I am here to help you take action towards success.

Stress Management and Well-being: Ministry can be demanding, often leading to burnout. This coaching program will provide you with strategies for stress management, self-care, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, enabling pastors to serve their communities with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

How to Claim Your Free Coaching in December:

Sign Up for Free: Visit www.Kickingatthedarkness.com and sign up for a free coaching session during the month of December.

Initial Call:I will reach out to schedule an initial on-boarding call to understand your specific needs and then put our December sessions on the calendar.

This December, take a step towards a more fulfilling and successful 2024 by investing in yourself. Sign up for these free coaching sessions, and let me partner with you in creating a brighter future for both you and your ministry. Together, we can make 2024 an amazing year of growth, resilience, and success.

S.E.L.F. Care for Pastors and Church Leaders

Pastor, when was the last time you you prioritized your own S.E.L.F. care?

I don’t mean, when was the last time you booked a massage and a facial treatment? I’m not asking when was the last time you mentally and emotionally had to checkout because you were so tired and stretched thin?

When I talk about S.E.L.F. care, I want you to think back to when was the last time you prioritized your SPIRITUAL HEALTH, your EMOTIONAL MATURITY, your closest LIFE CONNECTIONS, and your immediate FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS.

As I pastor, I know how busy and how overwhelming it can be leading a church. The demands on your time and the immense responsibilities facing you make it difficult to slow down and look inward. Plus, you might think – how can I focus on myself when I have to take care of everyone else?

 S.E.L.F. care is NOT selfish. S.E.L.F. care is a way to function in life so that you can operate at greater capacity in ministry. You must attend to your SPIRITUAL and EMOTIONAL NEEDS so that you can be fully present for your LIFE and FAMILY.

In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus calls us to “Love the Lord … with all (our) heart and with all (our) soul and with all (our) mind and with all (our) strength.” He then goes on to say that we also must love those around us as we love ourselves.

When I entered ministry and church work, I thought everyday I would be engaging in practices and with people that would ensure that I increased and grew in these ways everyday. What I found out is that the opposite was more often the case.

Because ministry never stops, I neglected my PHYSICAL HEALTH. Too many pizzas and late nights in youth ministry. Lots of sitting and lunch meetings sharing carb-heavy meals. I gained weight and failed to take care of the body God gave me to carry out the work He called me into.

I let the stress of life and ministry impact me EMOTIONALLY and MENTALLY. In my 20s and 30s life comes at you pretty fast. Growing a family, greater responsibilities at home and in ministry. Transitioning roles, making decisions, balancing EVERY voice AROUND you, discerning the voice INSIDE you. If you cannot learn to function well in these areas, you will pay a heavy price.

One saving grace for me is that God has blessed me with an incredible RELATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM. I have a handful of deep and abiding friendships – guys outside of my church environment who have NO exceptions on me other than to be a friend and to receive their friendship. My immediate family has been the single greatest blessing. I have a wife and kids who embody what it means to love whole-heartedly with UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

Here is what I believe and how I want to help YOU.

I believe that ministry and church leadership ought to STRENGTHEN YOUR SOUL – not slowly suffocate it. I don’t want the work you do FOR God IN a church to destroy the work OF God IN you. 

My work as a pastoral coach helps ministry leaders, like you, gain HOPE, CLARITY, and STRENGTH in every area of your life so that you can thrive personally and professionally. Through 1:1 coaching, I help pastors identify goals and work through issues to help them see and work towards a brighter future. I help leadership teams work better together – clarify their values, harness their strengths, create systems and process to share ministry across the whole church. I believe that the best way for me to serve the church of Jesus Christ is to serve pastors and church leaders.

So, as I sign off today, let me ask you a question…

  • Renewing your SPIRITUAL HEALTH
  • Moving toward EMOTIONAL MATURITY
  • Strengthening your LIFE CONNECTIONS
  • Focusing on your FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

If you could spend your time and energy on just one of these areas over the coming days and weeks, which would have the greatest impact on your life and ministry?

Leave a comment below and let me know which area would benefit you the most and why. If you leave a comment, I will send you a list of resources that can help you get started.

The Best Is Yet To Come

Micheal Felker here. I hope that you are doing well and that this letter finds you and your family in a great season of life.

Over the past two years, Kicking at the Darkness has connected with and made a difference in the lives of pastors and ministry teams across the nation, extending its impact even to missionaries in East Africa. Although there was a setback during my recovery from heart surgery, we are now at a point where we sense God opening doors and urging me to move forward with renewed vigor. 

Kicking at the Darkness is not just a ministry; it’s a movement set on empowering pastors and church leaders with a sense of hope, clarity, and strength in every area of their lives so that they may personally and professionally thrive.

Ministry isn’t just a 9-to-5 gig. It’s a 24/7 calling that often comes with a variety of unique challenges. By providing events, programs, and resources tailor-made to equip leaders to develop resilience, increase spiritual renewal, and stay engaged in ministry longer, Kicking at the Darkness wants to become a beacon of light to provide support that impacts leaders, their families, and churches across the world.

Now, here’s where you come in – we can’t do this solo. We need people like you, who believe in making a real impact. Your support could be the game-changer that takes our vision and turns it into a reality.

Any support that you provide will become the fuel behind initiatives like monthly Lunch & Learns, coaching sessions, and developing resources to help individual pastors and church teams live and lead well. Imagine the ripple effect of your contribution – empowering leaders to stand strong, no matter what comes their way.

Here are a few ways you can directly support my family and this ministry:

  1. PRAYERS FOR THE WORK – Please pray for this ministry. Pray that church leaders who are discourage may be encouraged. Pray that ministers who are facing challenges can discover ways to overcome and thrive. Pray that churches will prioritizing caring for those who serve on their staff. Pray for this work. Pray for this ministry. Pray for me. Pray for my family.
  2. SPREAD THE WORD – If you know a church leader who could use some soul care and ministry coaching, please connect us. If you know of a church that is looking for someone to help them navigate through a season of revitalization or transition, share with them my contact information. If you know of an organization that could benefit from team building or leadership development training, I’m uniquely gifted and have resources to help. If you know someone who is looking for ways to pour into pastors and provide resources, please send them my way. 
  3. FUEL FOR THE FIRE – A financial gift of any amount – one time or recurrent – will be more than just a donation; it’s will be an investment in the future of leaders who shape the spiritual landscape for years to come.

If you are moved by our mission and inclined to support us, please visit kickingatthedarkness.com/partner-with-katd for more information on how to contribute or contact us directly. Your commitment to this cause will make a lasting impact on the men and women who dedicate themselves to guiding and uplifting others in the name of Jesus.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for considering this. Let us be the ones who bring hope, clarity, and strength to those who bring it to others each and every day!

What Do You REALLY Want?

One of the questions that I’ve been asking in this season is, “What do I really want?”

What do I REALLY want my life to look like? Who do I want to become? What do I want to accomplish? Who do I want to help? 

As I have spent time reflecting on these questions, here are a few of the things I’ve discovered…

Spiritually – I really want a deep and abiding relationship with YHWH, to live connected to Jesus, and be empowered to live and move by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Physically – I really want to regain the strength and endurance I had prior to my heart surgery. I really want achieve my goal weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Emotionally – I really want a regulated sense of emotional well-being that provides a non-anxious presence in my life and the lives of those around me.

Mentally – I really want a well-curated mind that is grounded in reality and is resilient in the face of trials.

Relationally – I really want strong relationships where we pour into one another and receive equally as needed.

Identity – I really want to know that I am loved unconditionally and to allow that love to guide me and empower me to live with Confidence, Curiosity, and Connection.

What about you? What do YOU really want? I’d love to hear you answers to what you want in these areas of your life. Drop me a message or comment below. If you want to explore some of these areas for yourself, I’m here to listen, help you dig in, and encourage you to take action toward the life you really want!