logo  
The Rev. Sharon L. Vandegrift, M.Div, PCC 
       Author, Professional Coach, and United Methodist Minister
      sharon@btglifecoaching.com   / 484-234-0664                                                                                                 www.btglifecoaching.com  
Moving Forward 

Quote Of the Month

"Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today?" 

~Mary Manin Morrissey

 

Prayer for the Month

 Holy God, whose presence has upheld us in the past, sustains us in the present and will revitalize us in the future, grant us the courage to face into change with an optimistic curiosity. Teach us the vibrancy of embracing the promise that you are molding a new creation. As we look ahead, give us a yearning to move forward in faith. Replace our tendency to look back, with the courage to gaze into the future. Replace our fear with boldness. Instill in us the faith that when we search for goodness in the future, we will surely find you! Amen.

Recent Publication
Book Cover  
by Sharon L.Vandegrift
Available in paperback and Ebook at your favorite
on-line bookstore.

                                                      May 2012

Greetings!   

 The decision to embrace change and live life differently is one of the most significant commitments we can make as we imagine a vibrant future for ourselves and our congregations. The theme this month is Moving Forward.

                     Enjoy ~ Sharon

Moving Forward

Change is inevitable. How we navigate change is a choice. We can let it deplete our energy and drain our vitality. We can attempt to stand as a bulwark against it. Or, we can enter into the inherent challenges with bridge an optimistic curiosity that  urges us to engage the  change process with the  intention of using it to move  us forward. Embracing the  possibilities present in  change while remaining faithful to our core values is what will keep us grounded and strong.    

 

It could be argued that navigating change has become the most essential task for those leading the Church. It is a monumental undertaking. An institution built upon ancient texts, revered history, and honored traditions finds change unsteadying.  Individuals whose faith is grounded in belief in an unchanging God can flounder when considering change in the church that emerges from the shifting sands of culture. Change is hard!  

 

The primary commitment underlying the change process is the intentional resolve to move forward. It springs forth from the decision that we simply do not want things to remain the same. It is ownership of the simple but powerful reality that nothing changes if nothing changes. Coming to the place where we acknowledge that things cannot stay the same is a pivotal point. The decision to move forward is a willingness to take the risk to be active in the world in new ways.

  • Is it time for you (or your church) to move forward?
  • How might your life (or the life of your church) be different if you embraced change as an opportunity and moved forward with optimistic curiosity?
Query for the Coach
Dear Sharon,

logo

My church members have been so focused on keeping our building in good repair that they seem to have lost their understanding of why the building exists anyway. It feels like we never talk about ministry, just about fixing the property. The only exception seems to be when we plan fundraisers. Of course, they are almost always to support fixing something related the building. These are good people who are really connected to the church. But I am having so much trouble getting them to look beyond the bricks and mortar. Our membership is growing older and we are having more and more funerals. If they can't start doing some real ministry in the community, there won't be a reason for the church building to stand anyway. Any suggestions? 

For Sharon's response:

 

 
Bridge-the-Gap Life Coaching Services, LLC
Empowering Clergywomen to Excel
The Rev. Sharon L. Vandegrift, M.Div., PCC logo