Discussion Questions:
- Mark Glanville mentions that people now walk into church “not with a Bible under their arm, but with complex and genuine questions.” How does this reflect the changing dynamics of spiritual communities today?
- In what ways can church leaders adapt to the reality that many attendees have a “complex relationship with the Bible itself”?
- Tod Bolsinger highlights that pastoral leadership is not just about teaching but about leading a community with diverse backgrounds and stories. How might this shift the focus of leadership within a church setting?
- What challenges and opportunities arise when a congregation is made up of people with different hopes, dreams, questions, and faith journeys?
- Reflecting on Scott Cormode’s quote, “Leadership begins in listening,” how can leaders foster deeper listening within their communities?
- What does it look like for a sermon or a leadership decision to truly begin “weeks ahead of time” through relationship-building and listening, as discussed by Tod?
- How does the idea of writing a sermon “with a hundred coffees” with congregants change traditional approaches to preaching and ministry?
- Markus and Tod discuss adaptive leadership in the context of spiritual life. What are some practical ways leaders can help diverse groups move forward together?
- How might leaders balance their role as experts with their responsibility to listen deeply to the community’s questions and experiences?
- What are some specific practices, beyond preaching, that spiritual leaders can embrace to respond more meaningfully to the complexities people bring to church today?
