Leaders have an amazing opportunity to create sacred spaces that invite people into the presence of God and into a community with ourselves and each other.
As we practice community formation let us first endeavor to remain compassionate and mindful. We should not be so haphazard or hasty to grow ministries, movements, and organizations that we miss the underlying conditions of people’s souls, which constantly endure tremendous amounts of pain, struggles, anxiousness, and trauma.
In the 23rd Psalm, the writer declares that The Lord is the Shepherd that “restores my soul.”
Therefore, let’s be intentional to create sacred spaces where we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and prioritize the restoration of people’s souls over the rigor of ministry work and the transference of traditional religiosity.
Here are eight significant “A’s” that support soul restoration and sacred community formation:
Access - We are open to each other. At the most basic level, this is a matter of admittance and accessibility. We assure people that they have a right to enter into this space and to become a part of it through a simple, yet comprehensive process. We strive to make the points of access and pathways clear so that we are not erecting walls, where there should be doors.
Acknowledgment - We see and hear each other. We are always improving our listening skills and emotional intelligence. We do not make assumptions about how people feel or how they have experienced this sacred space. Therefore, so we continue to shift our practices and listen to feedback so that people truly feel seen and heard.
Acceptance - We are receptive to each other. We understand that the fear of rejection is real and we strive to help persons gain and maintain a sense of belonging. We accept each other as we are, always encouraging improvement, but never expecting perfection.
Affirmation - We support each other. We affirm the intrinsic value of each person as being created in the image of God. We declare through our actions and words that we are loved and that we have a purpose that is a part of God’s mission in the world. We also learn new language and ways to communicate the Good News, mindfully removing harmful words and phrases that can bring hurt and cause divisiveness within our community.
Appreciation - We value each other. We are thankful for the various gift, competencies, capacities, and experiences that each person brings to the community. We honor God’s calling on each person’s life and we do not feed into toxic comparisons or manipulative practices that make people feel used or in competition with each other.
Affinity - We are connected to each other through our shared faith. Soul-tending is relational and we intentionally build relationships. While we do not support prejudice, bigotry, or bias, we recognize and appreciate our commonality and like-mindedness. Therefore, we understand that this sacred space may not be a great fit for “everyone.”
Adaptability - We willingly change alongside each other. We live in an ever-changing world and we cannot be so devoted to our traditions that our ministries stop being relevant and effective. Instead, let’s commit to being lifelong learners who are open to making necessary adjustments that will improve how we curate community, care for people’s souls, communicate with each other, and increase our Kingdom impact.
Accountability - All persons in the community, including the leadership, are answerable to one another. We acknowledge that everyone makes mistakes, and we set an example of following through on our commitments, listening to constructive feedback, and admitting when we have fallen short.
One of the greatest aspects of creating sacred spaces is that we do NOT have to seek out a physical room or location in order to put these “A’s” into practice. After all, 1 Corinthians 6:19, reminds us that we are “temples of the Holy Spirit.”
This means that we are a sacred space! Therefore, when people encounter us they should know what it feels like to have someone care for their soul.
Also, let us model the healing and restoration that we want others to experience. Let’s not forget that the Good Shepherd is also calling leaders into “green pastures” and “beside still waters” so that we can experience the blessings of wholeness and wellness each and every day.
For a more in-depth reading on “creating sacred spaces”, please checkout, Dr. Sheppard’s book, Significant Leadership: Empowering Others Through a Lifestyle of Discipleship, which is available August 31, 2023.
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