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When the Well Runs Dry: Finding Living Water in Parched Times
Last week, I found myself in circles of church leaders who, like many of you, have given their hearts to journeying alongside others in ministry. Across denominations, geographies, and theological perspectives, I heard a truth emerge that resonated deeply:
"I love this work. But sometimes, it's killing me."
Perhaps you have felt it too—that paradox of profound calling alongside bone-deep exhaustion. The weight of sermons or Bible studies that need writing while your own spirit feels empty. The pastoral care visits that pile up as your own reserves deplete. The meetings about building maintenance when your own foundation feels shaky. You are not imagining it. A recent study reveals church leaders are experiencing secondary traumatic stress. You carry others' grief, navigate congregational conflict, and attempt to shepherd communities through divisive times—often without the resources to process what this work deposits in your own souls.
We Are More Like Plants Than Clocks A speaker at this gathering last week asked a question: "Are we, as people who help and serve in ministry, more like clocks or like plants?" A clock suggests we simply need a part replaced, a little winding up, and we can tick along efficiently. But ministry was never meant to be mechanical.
We are more like plants—living beings who only thrive within an ecosystem. We need light, nourishment, rootedness, and soil that isn't toxic. Yet too many of us are trying to grow in soil depleted by isolation, perfectionism, and a culture of over-functioning.
In this moment of profound societal harm—where civil rights are rolled back, marginalized communities are targeted with anti-Black, anti-immigrant, and anti-trans violence, authoritarianism grows, and economic precarity weighs on our congregations—we cannot afford to lead from depletion.
An Invitation to Honest Assessment I invite you to pause today and consider:
What is the ecology that currently sustains your leadership and your soul? Who sees you—not just as Pastor or Deacon or Lay Leader—but as a whole person? Where can you speak honestly about what hurts, without needing to fix it immediately? What would support your flourishing—not just your survival? These aren't luxury questions. They are lifeline questions. Creating Ecosystems of Care At Thriving Leadership Formation, we believe tending these ecosystems is sacred work. Our cohort groups consistently provide what leaders tell us they desperately need: spaces to show up fully human, where both vulnerability and strength are welcomed, where spiritual practices ground us in deeper truths.
You weren't meant to pastor, preach, serve, or lead alone. Especially not now. Especially not in these wild, disorienting days.
If you are weary, know you are not alone. If you are angry, let it speak. If you are numb, come back gently. If you are called, remember you are also beloved.
The same Christ who said "I am the vine, you are the branches" understood that disconnection leads to withering. Connection leads to life.
Let's find ways to stay connected—to God, to community, and to the Spirit's ongoing work of justice, restoration, and renewal. Not because it's a nice addition to our leadership, but because it's the only sustainable way forward.
With hope for our collective thriving, |
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| Desta Goehner
Director, Thriving Leadership Formation |
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Ready to See Your Ministry Team Thrive?
Ministry is relational, and strong teams are essential for meaningful, sustainable work. But working together isn’t always easy—different personalities, communication styles, and leadership approaches can create challenges.
This series uses the wisdom of the Enneagram to help your team build trust, communicate effectively, and foster a healthy, Spirit-led team culture. Why This Series Works ✨ Enneagram-Based Insights – Learn how leadership and working styles impact collaboration.
✨ Practical Ministry Tools – Address real team challenges with real solutions.
What You’ll Gain ✅ Stronger team dynamics & trust
✅ Practical tools for conflict & collaboration
✅ A shared language for working together with clarity
✅ Sustainable energy for ministry Enneagram work enhances self-awareness, communication, and collaboration, helping ministry teams serve with purpose and resilience. Key Benefits: ✔ Self-Awareness & Spiritual Growth – Recognize strengths, growth areas, and leadership gaps.
✔ Improved Communication – Foster empathetic listening and reduce misunderstandings.
✔ Stronger Collaboration – Appreciate diverse gifts, encouraging unity in service.
✔ Better Conflict Resolution – Navigate tension with grace.
✔ Emotional & Spiritual Resilience – Manage stress and prevent burnout.
✔ Effective, Compassionate Leadership – Cultivate authenticity, humility, and adaptability.
✔ Healthier Congregational Culture – Build a foundation of grace, trust, and mutual support.
✔ Aligned Ministry Roles – Help individuals serve in roles that fit their gifts and calling. Perfect for Ministry Teams Who:
✔ Want to move from working side by side to truly working together
✔ Need healthier ways to handle team dynamics and conflict
✔ Are ready to deepen trust & strengthen collaboration
✔ Want practical Enneagram-based tools they can use immediately Real conversations, real tools, and real transformation in how your ministry team works together. Want to take the next step toward a stronger, more connected team?
*We ask that teams have at least 3 people.* $50/team member
There is still time to register today! |
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In a time where churches are navigating both everyday challenges and larger crises that arise in communal spaces and grappling with the urgent need to "speak up" in the face of injustice, the need for a robust Crisis Communications Strategy has never been more critical.
As part of the Leadership Formation series within the Thriving Leadership Formation program, this webinar will guide faith leaders through the process of developing a Crisis Communications Strategy tailored to your unique ministry context.
You will leave with: --> A deeper understanding of the essential dos and don’ts of crisis communications
--> A crisis communication team structure, customized for your ministry --> A comprehensive Crisis Communications Strategy outline specific to your ministry context
--> Sample statements for addressing potential crises your congregation may encounter
Register Here
Led by Catherine Slabaugh and Justin Wilson |
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Catherine Slabaugh currently serves as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sacramento, Calif and Communications Director for the 2027 ELCA Youth Gathering. Catherine previously served as the Director of Communications and Events for the Sierra Pacific Synod, Social Media Team Lead for the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, and Communications Director for the 2017 and 2023 Western States Youth Gathering. Catherine specializes in social media strategy, public relations, written communications, and photography.
Justin Wilson currently serves as the Engagement and Resource Manager for the ELCA Youth Gathering, leading and contributing to program design and logistic operations for a convention of 16,000 attendees and associated events. In this role, Justin oversees all event marketing strategy, crisis communications, supervises a vast volunteer communications team, and directs all components of communications and marketing. Justin has served in this role for the 2022 and 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering cycles, and is currently working on the 2027 Gathering. Justin specializes in brand development, graphic design, website management, email marketing, and written communications.
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We hope we see you at one of our upcoming Leadership Formation Workshops!
No prior Enneagram experience or knowledge is needed. Come to 1... or come to all! Want to learn more? Take a look at the course details below. Interested in registering? Click here to register.
All courses are led by Desta Goehner, an Accredited Enneagram Professional recognized by the International Enneagram Association. Coaching & Inspiring Others
Tuesday, April 29th 1-3pm PST
Great leaders know how to bring out the best in others, but each Enneagram type has different strengths and challenges in coaching and inspiring. This learning lab will help you recognize how your type influences your leadership style, communication, and motivation techniques. Learn how to engage others with authenticity and impact, while avoiding common pitfalls that may limit your effectiveness. Leadership Presence
Tuesday, May 6 1-3pm PST
What makes a leader’s presence strong and compelling? This leadership lab will explore three key elements of leadership presence through the lens of the Enneagram. You will discover what enhances and detracts from your leadership impact based on your type, and gain insights on how to cultivate a presence that is grounded, engaging, and inspiring. |
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Desta Goehner has professional accreditation from the International Enneagram Association (IEA), affirming her dedication to excellence, integrity, and ethical practice in Enneagram coaching, leadership development, and spiritual growth. This global recognition ensures that leaders, teams, and individuals she works with receive the highest standard of guidance. |
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Blessed are you who see it all.
The terrible, beautiful truth that our world, our lives seem irreparably broken. And you can't unsee it.
The hungry kid. The exhausted parent. An imperfect human wondering if it's worth it.
The loneliness and despair. Blessed are you who glimpse reality and don't turn away but instead, get up and go to the Father.
This seeing comes at a steep cost, a cost paid not intentionally, but here you are.
Seeing things clearly. Blessed are you who have worked hard to keep your heart soft.
to live with courage, fixing what is in your reach, praying about what is not,
and loving, still. embodying the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit May you experience deeper capacity and glimpses of hope. as you continue to see the world as it is. Terrible, Beautiful, Fragile, Loved.
Adapted from Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie "A Blessing for When You See Things as They Always Were" in Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection and first shared with our Thriving Leadership Community during a March Lectio Divina by one of our weekly leaders, Laree Winer. |
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Have you joined us for a Tuesday morning Lectio Divina? We'd love for you to join us.
We have a rotation of 4-5 hosts, each with their own style and strengths that lead us through and hour of spiritual practice listening and sharing about the lectionary Scripture for the coming Sunday.
We are grateful for what this community has become, people attend as they are able to, and every week we are grateful for what this time together allows.
A one time registration is needed to receive the zoom link to attend: bit.ly/TLFLectioDivina
Already signed up from the fall? No need to re-register. |
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| Save the Date for Executive Skills 2026! January 4-9, 2026 at Spirit in the Desert in Carefree, AZ.
This past January, we welcomed almost 40 church leaders for our week in the desert. It was by far our largest cohort to date, and we can't wait to gather once again next year
Would you like to join our growing interest list? Visit this link. |
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Reflecting on my time as a Thriving Leadership Formation Cohort Leader, I am grateful for the life-giving relationships and spiritually enriching experiences that have shaped my journey. This season of growth has left a lasting impact on my approach to ministry and leadership. Truly, this role has been a testament to the transformative power of God’s love and the incredible ways in which God works through us. I encourage you to consider experiencing this first hand or recommending TLF to a leader you think would benefit from such an experience.
- Joe Zimmerly (pictured here), TLF Cohort Leader '23-'24 Head over to our website to read all our published Stories, such as Joe's.
Do you have a Thriving Leadership Formation story of Thriving? We'd love to hear from you and we're always looking for more submissions. Interested? Reach out to Nicolette to learn more! (nrohr@callutheran.edu) To read more of Joe's story, visit our website. |
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Our Thriving Leadership Formation website is a great place to find and share information about all the great things happening with TLF. What can you find there? Upcoming Events and Registration information
Stories of Thriving TLF Cohort Information and Leader details and so much more! Be sure to check it out!
www.thrivingleadershipformation.org |
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Do you follow us on our socials? The most up to date way to learn more about TLF opportunities and ways to get involved is to follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook! We love to connect, share, and highlight good news and opportunities. |
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