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I have been taking a 16-week healing class every Monday for the past 14 weeks. I cried nearly every week in class beginning on day one. I Iaid my heart bare before the Lord and those who were in attendance with the intention of healing the deep wounds I have been carrying. As we draw to the conclusion of our class, one of the final assignments was to bless those who have wounded us. This practice of blessing those who wounded me is not entirely new. When I was nine years old, after being bullied by many girls at school, I discovered the Bible for myself. One of the earliest lessons that formed me was the importance of praying blessings over your enemies. Even as a child, I learned that retaliation was not the way of Christ. I have been praying blessings for years — quietly and privately. What is new for me is writing them out. I choose to forgive because forgiveness is just that, a choice. I forgive not for personal gain, but as an act of Christlikeness — trusting that as Christ forgave, I too am called to forgive. I lay down anger, bitterness, and vengeance, and I release justice into the hands of the One who is wise enough to determine what justice truly looks like. My greatest hope is that those who have caused me pain would encounter the deep love of God. To those who made the conscious decision to view me as invisible, I bless you with the clarity to see what is true, the courage to confront the parts of yourself that hide, and the freedom to walk in integrity, even when no one is watching. May light illuminate your choices, and may mercy guide your heart toward what is right. To those who shut doors so that I could not fulfill my calling in the spaces where you had influence, I bless you with vision beyond your own limitations, discernment to see the impact of your choices, and a heart softened to recognize the gifts of others. May the walls you build not close you in, but lead you to humility and wisdom. To those who spoke words meant to diminish, shame, or control me, I bless you with insight into the power of your voice, the courage to speak life instead of harm, and the humility to listen with a heart that seeks understanding. May your words become bridges rather than barriers. To those who used me as a pawn for your own agenda — to open doors for yourself, to gain influence, or to fulfill a personal goal — I bless you with the revelation of your true intentions, the courage to walk in integrity even when no one is watching, and the wisdom to pursue success without sacrificing another’s calling. May your strategies be purified by love. To those who judged, misunderstood, labeled, or dismissed me — I bless you with eyes to see beyond assumption, hearts that honor truth over opinion, and the humility to recognize the divine work in others. May grace transform fear into understanding. To those who denied my gifts and calling because of my gender, I bless you with clarity to recognize God’s anointing wherever it rests, and humility to honor divine purpose over bias. To those who remained silent when you knew harm had been done, I bless you with the courage to stand for truth, integrity when it is inconvenient, and wisdom to defend what is just and right. To those who have chosen never to acknowledge the pain you caused, I bless you with the courage to face the Truth, the humility to recognize impact, and the grace to allow healing where it is possible. I pray God's mercy over you, and that you may one day know the freedom that Truth brings. I release these words into the hands of God. May the love of God chase you down until you know — deeply and undeniably — the length and width and breadth and depth of His love. May that love rest upon your family and guide every present and future endeavor into wisdom and truth. May the love of Christ awaken you. Amen.

Jesus did not assume discipleship would happen on its own. He designed it—with clarity, movement, and shared responsibility. At the heart of Jesus’ disciple-making work was a clear process: Go → Baptize → Teach → Send (Matt.  28:19–20) This was not simply a closing instruction. It was a repeatable, transferable disciple-making system—one that formed people and released them to participate in God’s work. But Jesus’ discipleship design was not limited to a sequence of steps. It also included intentional layers of formation that made shared leadership possible. The Components of Jesus’ Discipleship Design Knowing names Jesus called people by name. Discipleship began with recognition, relationship, and personal invitation—not anonymity or assumption. Tracking presence and movement Jesus knew where His disciples were, where they were sent, and when they returned. Discipleship included accountability, reflection, and shared learning from experience. One-on-one discipleship Jesus engaged disciples privately—through instruction, correction, restoration, and commissioning. Formation was personal, not generic. Small-group discipleship Jesus formed the Twelve—and within them, the Three—through shared life, practice, and trust. Depth happened in community, not isolation. Corporate discipleship Jesus also taught and formed followers in the presence of the wider community and crowds. Discipleship was never hidden or exclusive—it was witnessed and multiplied. Together, these layers created a shared leadership system. Jesus did not centralize formation around Himself indefinitely. He sent disciples out in pairs, entrusted them with authority, and received them back for reflection. Responsibility was distributed, not concentrated. This wasn’t accidental. It wasn’t personality-driven. It wasn’t dependent on a faithful few carrying everything. It was designed. Jesus’ disciple-making system formed followers who could participate fully, carry responsibility together, and continue the work beyond His physical presence. Reflection Questions: As we reflect on Jesus’ disciple-making process, an important question emerges: Where does the disciple-making process break down among Jesus’ followers today? Or more specifically: Which parts of the process have become assumed rather than designed—and which responsibilities have become concentrated rather than shared? These questions are not about blame. They are invitations to awareness. Because what is designed shapes what is formed. And what is formed determines who participates.

Ezekiel 34 is my go-to passage of scripture when I think about spiritual leadership. I like the Message Version verses 1-6, God's Message came to me: "Son of man prophesy against the shepherd-leaders of Israel. Yes, prophesy! Tell those shepherds, "God, the Master, says: Doom to you shepherds of Israel, feeding your own mouths! Aren't shepherds supposed to feed sheep? You drink the milk, you make clothes from the wool, you roast the lambs, but you don't feed the sheep. You don't build up the weak ones , don't heal the sick , don't doctor the injured, don't g o after the strays , don't look for the lost. You bully and badger them. And now they're scattered every which way because there was no shepherd- scattered and easy pickings for wolves and coyotes. Scattered-my sheep!- exposed and vulnerable across mountains and hills. My sheep scattered all over the world, and no one out looking for them! God's message to Ezekiel spells out the role of spiritual leaders; feed the sheep, build up the weak, heal the sick, doctor the injured, go after the strays, look for the lost. When spiritual leaders who are also disciples fail to feed the sheep, build up the weak ones, heal the sick, doctor the injured, go after the strays and look for the lost, those who are a part of the flock scatter, and they fall prey to the wolves. The wolves are leaders whose agenda is their own and who use the “sheep” to elevate themselves rather than become a co laborer with them for the purpose of being an expression of God’s love in the world for the glory of God. I am hearing horror stories from people who are scattered, they are struggling to find churches where they feel safe and cared for when they are hungry, weak, sick, injured, have gone astray, and are lost. Many have experienced spiritual abuse and although they will not leave God, they contemplate every Sunday morning whether they will even return to “a” four wall church. For them, the safest church is a church they can attend thru the various online platforms. In doing so, they can fall prey to itching ears trying to find messages that speak only to what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear. Being away from a faith community dulls spiritual discernment and opens the door for the wolf to come in and devour those who are scattered. As spiritual leaders we must take a pause daily and ask God to reveal to us to whom we are being invited to shepherd the disciples and the unchurched. We can ask ourselves these questions: 1. Who needs to be fed? 2. Who needs to be built up? 3. Who needs to be healed from their sickness? 4. Who is injured? 5. Who has strayed? 6. Who is lost? Then change the who to how? In doing so it will help you to be more sensitive to the Spirit's guidance. How do we get the answers to these questions? We must have conversations. We must practice the art of listening (this happens when we listen to understand first, not to share what we know), and we must be willing to be transparent with our own stories. Through those conversations the Spirit will reveal to us what the person needs. Then exchange contact info. Make yourself available for phone calls, texts, coffee, lunch. This is shepherding. THEN check in with those people and see how they are doing. This is the call of spiritual leadership. Have you ever experienced a time when someone sent you a text and just said, "Checking in with you, how are things going?" How did it make you feel? It's one of the most loving and compassionate things we can do. We may not be the ones to meet the needs, however as leaders we should know where we can take someone to get their needs met, or who we can take them to for their needs to be met. But we should always be a connection for that person. When we as spiritual leaders are caring for the hungry, the weak, the sick, the injured, those who have strayed and the lost we are being disciples. We are caring for disciples and we are caring for those who have not yet received this incredible gift of grace. This is also discipleship. When we are doing this well, those who are a part of the faith communities where we lead don’t scatter, and those who need a safe place to grow will return, grow, and become disciples who care for others. Let’s look for the scattered, some are inside and outside of the four walled church. We can do it..together!

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to learn Spiritual Leadership Inc.’s (SLI) generative change methodology while I was in seminary. I was invited to be a coach for SLI; however, I couldn’t join the SLI team as a coach due to circumstances beyond my control. However, I did have the privilege of being taught the SLI methodology in seminary. There is no doubt in my mind that the churches that committed to SLI’s methodology for the purpose of fostering transformation, developing spiritual leaders, and establishing processes that bear fruit were able to be sustained during the pandemic. SLI’s methodology is based on what is called L3, Loving, Learning and Leading. It’s the process in which an SLI coach journeys with the leaders in a church that have a commitment to grow spiritually mature disciples. A covenant group is created, and that group enters a journey that results in SLI’s vision and mission being fulfilled. See SLI’s vision and mission below: Vision: Joining Jesus in His revolution to transform leaders, communities, and the world. Mission: Discover, develop, and deploy passionate spiritual leaders & teams for the transformation of churches, organizations, and communities. Values: · Developing spiritual leaders who model community that loves, learns, and leads together. · Creating environments that foster transformation · Establishing processes that bear fruit. I am not sharing this information with you as a commercial for SLI, I am sharing it because I want you to know that creating environments that foster transformation is happening in other spaces where churches, organizations and communities need transformation. SLI’s methodology has been proven to work based on biblical principles. This methodology is what ignited my soul for fostering transformation in the church. Through SLI’s methodology I discovered that there is a plan and there is a process for developing spiritual leaders and establishing processes that bear fruit. If you are the leader of a struggling church, let’s begin the journey of fostering transformation in the congregation where you lead. You and your leaders will receive tools that will sustain your congregation thru its present challenges and for the next generation. Let’s get started….together….we can do it!

This reflection continues to grow as God keeps revealing more. Feel free to return here or subscribe on my site if you’d like to walk with me as the revelation unfolds. (last update 10/15 at 8:10 a.m.) When God Woke Me at 2 A.M.(on Oct. 15, 2025) It was 2:00 in the morning, and I was recovering from surgery. My body was still healing, but my spirit was wide awake. In moments like this I wonder. “is someone praying for me?” The Divine Forming Mystery —the Father who forms us (Isaiah 64:8), the Son who reforms us (2 Corinthians 5:17), and the Spirit who transforms us (2 Corinthians 3:18)— stirred me gently from sleep. It wasn’t loud; it was love. That quiet but unmistakable nudge: “Wake up, Listen, I have something to share with you.” As I lay there, revelation began to flow like water—steady, clear, unstoppable. The Spirit started speaking about education, formation, and the difference between learning about God and being shaped by God. In that moment I realized I wasn’t just recovering physically; God was restoring my sight spiritually. “You’ve been trying to plant Kingdom seeds in traditional soil.” Right then I understood—this was not just a message for me. It was a call to the Church. Christian education doesn’t need better programs—it needs new wine. So I got out my phone and started writing the revelation, and what you’re about to read began to flow straight from the classroom of the Spirit. Traditional Education vs. Christ Education Traditional Education says: “I’m the one who knows, and you can’t know unless I tell you.” It builds hierarchy, control, and measurement. But Christ Education says: “You already know, because you were created in the image of the One who knows.” (Genesis 1:27) It begins with relationship, not information. It points us toward infinite knowing, not finite knowledge. Traditional Education teaches us to master content. Christ Education (CE) teaches us to let the Source master us. (Proverbs 3:5-6) That changes everything—because CE knows how to hold space for the Teacher—capital “T”—to show up in the room (John 14:26). I can teach math without integrity or kindness. But I can’t teach relationship with God without those virtues alive in me (Galatians 5:22-23). That’s what makes Christ Education sacred, it’s not about mastering information; it’s about being mastered by Love. Because it’s not informational—it’s incarnational. It’s Christ alive in us, not concepts about Him Shared Praxis: The Heartbeat of Christ Education This method was taught to me by one of my favorite seminary professors, Dr. Beverly Johnson Miller Thomas Groome, a Christian educator, taught that faith learning happens through participation in transformation. Shared Praxis joins reflection and action. Teacher and learner bring their stories into conversation with Scripture and the Spirit— much like Jesus walking with the disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32). The rhythm (this is very abbreviated version research this method): Start with life. Reflect through faith. Engage in action. Return to reflection. It’s not a cycle of repetition—it’s a spiral of growth (James 1:22-25). When we learn this way, we’re not just talking about God—we’re meeting Him in real time. Why Passive Learning Leaves Shallow Roots According to the Learning Pyramid, we retain about 5 percent of what we hear in a lecture, but up to 90 percent when we discuss or teach others. So if most of our teaching is lecture-based, the roots will always be shallow (Matthew 7:24). That’s why people can go to church week after week, attend Sunday School and Bible study, and still not grow deep roots. They’ve been sitting under the sprinkle—never drinking the water (John 7:37-39). Shared Praxis moves us from hearing to doing— from lecture to living encounter. Preaching and teaching in a lecture-style, passive way is like sprinkling water on someone who’s dehydrated. It might cool them for a moment, but it won’t sustain them. Active learning, though—that’s like hooking them up to an I.V.—Internal Virtue (Luke 8:46). It delivers life straight to the source. It restores virtue—that divine flow of power that transforms from the inside out. This isn’t just an I.V.—it’s the flow of healing running through the Body. The Internal Virtue of Christ is moving again, running through the I.V. for the sick to be made well. Because this is what formation really is— the life of Jesus circulating through His people until what was weak becomes strong again. Why One-on-One Discipleship Forms Deeper Roots Corporate discipleship often keeps learning passive. But one-on-one discipleship invites reflection and relationship— just like Jesus did with His disciples (Mark 9:28-29). The best way to learn is to teach— not by lecturing, but by reasoning together (Isaiah 1:18). Transformation happens not in the crowd but in the conversation— not in the performance of knowledge, but in the practice of relationship. The Silence of Revelation We’ve taught believers to listen only for what they already know. We’ve made people comfortable with repetition and suspicious of revelation. But revelation isn’t rebellion—it’s relationship. The Spirit of Truth still guides us into all truth (John 16:13). Shared Praxis reawakens holy curiosity. It whispers, “Lord, speak again.” Old Wine, Old Wineskins: The Drought of Revelation We’re pouring old wine into old wineskins (Mark 2:22). Recycling what was once fresh. Repurposing other people’s revelation. Serving what no longer satisfies the thirsty. The tragedy is that we’ve mistaken aroma for substance. It still smells like something sacred, but when you taste it — there’s no power left in the pour. It doesn’t refresh. It doesn’t revive. It fills the cup, but it no longer fills the soul. The Spirit isn’t asking us to admire what once had fragrance — He’s inviting us to drink what’s still alive. We’re not allowing the water to be turned into the choice wine like Jesus did at Cana (John 2:10). Because when the living water becomes choice wine, it doesn’t just quench thirst — it awakens revelation. When I say Divine Forming Mystery, some even you may have raised your eye brows and wanted to immediately want to discount it. But Scripture shows us that God is Divine (Psalm 99:9), God is Forming (Isaiah 64:8), and God is Mystery (Romans 11:33). The Father forms us, the Son reforms us, and the Holy Spirit transforms us. That’s not New Age—that’s new wine. And when I talk about formation power, Scripture agrees: “It is God who works in you to will and to act.” (Philippians 2:13) We form or deform others by how we speak and act (Ephesians 4:29). Even when Scripture describes God as a Father and a mother, some clutch their pearls, and raise their brows when scripture says, the Divine Forming Mystery is “a mother to the motherless” (Psalm 68:5), we still resist what doesn’t sound familiar - in our teaching, in our sermons and in our converations. This is why we must bring out the new wine— because pouring the old into new skins isn’t forming Christ in us with the depth and discipleship needed to impact generations to come. Generation Alpha is rising—and they’re watching. Facilitating Shared Praxis: The Rhythm Start with life — “Where have you seen God this week?” Name the tension — “What feels unresolved?” Bring in the story of faith — read and reflect together. Discern together — “What is the Spirit saying?” Respond — “How will you live this truth?” Reflect again — “What has changed?” It’s not about teaching more—it’s about teaching differently. Reintroducing the Church to the classroom of the Spirit. When the Teacher Showed Up I’ve seen what happens when people come out of passive learning. When I began using Shared Praxis in Bible study—it’s actually the only method I use— the atmosphere shifted. I call it the 20/80 Rule: I speak 20 percent of the time; they speak 80 percent of the time. That’s when the Teacher—capital “T”—shows up (John 14:26). People discover the Spirit speaks to them and through them. I hold space—even when something sounds off—because we learn by reasoning together (Acts 17:2). Sometimes we leave without a “right” answer, but we leave with deeper relationship. And when that happened, Bible study exploded. People who had never come before started showing up. They were excited to open Scripture again—not because they were being taught at, but because they were being taught with. They were hearing God for themselves. They were being transformed. This is what happens when Christ Education is present. This is what happens when we stop pouring the old wine and finally bring out the new. Many of our churches have been planting in traditional soil—relying on familiar methods for sharing the Word and making disciples. Those methods have produced faithfulness but not always depth. We’ve depended on what was once fruitful, but we’re discovering that it no longer allows people to dig their roots deep. So when they encounter what is out of alignment with God, they often don’t even recognize it. It’s time to till the soil again—to create space for roots to reach the Living Water—the new wine. Do we really want to be like Jesus? He preached to the masses (Matthew 5–7), He met with His small group of disciples (Mark 4:10; Mark 9:30–31), and He invested in one-on-one discipleship — conversations that formed hearts, not just minds (John 3:1–2 with Nicodemus; John 21:15–17 with Peter). Jesus modeled the counterbalance of public teaching, intimate community, and personal formation. If we want to form Christ in others, we must return to His way. We need it all— sermons that stir hearts, small groups that build community, and one-on-one discipleship that forms character. This is the new wine. And the classroom of the Spirit is pouring it out. This is a Rooted & Rising Reflection Information can inform you, but only relationship can transform you. We are not guardians of old information we are stewards of ongoing revelation. “The Word of God is living and active.” (Hebrews 4:12) The Spirit is still teaching. The question is—will we let Him be the Teacher in the classroom? Reflection Question: How is God inviting you to bring out the new wine in your teaching or leadership? To learn more about the Rooted & Rising Pilot Journey and explore resources from the Ignite the Church Initiative, visit www.joycelynignites.com . Head to the homepage to join the journey. If you would like Joycelyn to teach this method to you and your cingregation, contact joycelyn@joycelynignites.com Let’s make disciples together. Pull out the new wine, the choice wine and serve those who are thirsty for the living water.

I went to seminary not just for myself, but so I could share what I learned with pastors and congregations—even if it’s only through a reflection piece like this one. As I reflect, I know that we are living in a time where there is no doubt in my mind—pastors and congregations would benefit from knowing what I know. So if you wanna know what I know, let me know. I am entrusted with what God reveals, and this is what God most recently revealed to me. And so, right now, I’m going to tell you a little bit of what I know… Because, as much as we may not want to think about it, there’s going to come a time when the church will once again experience a season of retreat. What do I mean by that? I mean we will have to go back home. We will have to leave the brick-and-mortar buildings and return to simpler ways of being the Church—much like we did during COVID. The problem is, most churches weren’t prepared the first time. Many had not cultivated true connection. Many had not built the kind of clarity that anchors a congregation in stormy times. Many had not activated the kind of missional imagination that helps the body of Christ adapt and thrive in disruption. And many churches are still recovering—not from the virus, but from the exposure of fragility. I believe COVID was a warning. A holy signal. A prophetic preparation. And here’s what I know: in my reflection, I see a way the body of Christ could be strengthened now—so that when the next shutdown or disruption occurs, the Church would not just survive, but endure with power, connection, and clarity. But here’s the hard truth: this depends on removing the imbalance where 20% of the people do 80% of the work. That old pattern cannot carry us into the next season. The whole body must be activated. The whole body must be engaged. The whole body must be ready. As I continue to reflect, I sincerely believe that the future health of the Church depends on whether or not we are willing to build connection, walk in clarity, remove the imbalance, and stir up missional imagination. This is what I know. My heart in this season is to share what I know. And if you wanna know more…keep checking back, because there is more to know.

A Word Before We Begin My heart is for the house of God to thrive. What follows may sound like strong critique, but it comes from love, from study, and from the many stories people have shared with me over the years. As one who has studied churches, I sincerely believe the 20/80 imbalance is one of the greatest hindrances to church growth—both numerically and spiritually. I also believe we are living in a time when we cannot afford to settle for 20% of the people carrying the mission. We need 100% of the body showing up, serving, and growing. This reflection names the problem, but it also points to a solution. My hope is that pastors, leaders, and congregants alike will read this as a resource—not to wound, but to awaken. This begins my series on Ignite the Church The Imbalance I have discovered that in many churches, there’s an imbalance: 20% of the people are doing 80% of the work. And it doesn’t just wear people out—it starves discipleship. It keeps spiritual formation shallow. It burns out pastors. And it leaves gifts buried that God intended for His people to use. I’ve also heard of leaders who won’t let people serve unless they are giving “consistently”—or if they are not giving at all. But here’s the truth: some may not be giving because they don’t feel they belong. They refuse to fund their own oppression—just like keeping their dollars out of Target or Walmart. Jesus never used giving as a criterion to lead or serve. Peter denied Him three times, and still Jesus discipled him and handed him the keys to the Church. When we make giving the gatekeeper, we risk missing the shepherd boy—or girl—still out in the field. And this is one way the 20/80 imbalance has been created. Why Home Doesn't Feel Like Home Then there’s the “Welcome Home” slogan. So many churches use it. But what does home really mean? Home is where you can move furniture, paint the walls, take responsibility for its care, buy new dishes, hang your pictures, and make the house better. In home, you have a voice and a say-so. But in too many churches, “home” doesn’t work that way. The pastor acts as the owner of the house. He says: “We’ve got to pay the bill, so you need to give your money.” He points to the dishes: “They need to be washed, so you need to wash them.” He looks at the floors: “They need to be cleaned, so you need to clean them.” And for the 80%, that doesn’t feel like home—it feels like duty. So they disengage. Even some in the 20%—the faithful few who start out with energy—get restless. They sense there has to be more than just showing up Sunday after Sunday, Wednesday after Wednesday(the average mid-week church day), keeping the routine going. They begin to recognize that what was supposed to be home feels more like maintenance. Why the 80% Step Back And here’s another issue: too often leaders focus only on those who seem to be doing more and giving more—the visible 20%. And in the process, they ignore or dismiss the 80%. They never stop to ask: Why isn’t the 80% engaged? Instead, they assume the 80% must be lazy, uncommitted, or unwilling. But what if it’s not that at all? What if they’re discerning? What if they’re looking, observing, and realizing that some things simply don’t add up? What if they’re unsettled because they see red flags that others ignore? And sometimes, this doesn’t mean they’ve never tried. There are people in the 80% who did show up, who did try to get involved. But they noticed that only a select few had a real voice. Only a select few were allowed to fully flow in their gifting. Only a select few were trusted to “make the house their home.” And when that happens, it paralyzes the system. It becomes harder and harder to stay motivated when Sunday after Sunday, Wednesday after Wednesday, you see the same faces doing all the work—not because they’re the only ones willing, but because they’re the only ones allowed. This is another reason why people disengage. Not because they don’t care. Not because they don’t want to serve. But because the culture of the house doesn’t make room for them. And maybe this is the deeper issue: the 20% may have actually fallen into groupthink. Groupthink happens when people go along with the group to keep peace or avoid conflict. They stop questioning whether the direction is right. They just keep the system running, even if it’s broken. And in the process, the 20% become more loyal to the routine than to the Spirit. And let’s be honest—if the 20% are the ones who never say no, never question, never imagine something different—then that’s not heroism, that’s conformity. That’s not faithfulness, that’s captivity. Meanwhile, the 80% aren’t necessarily uncommitted. Many of them have become disengaged because they are discerning. They see patterns in ministry that don’t align with God’s heart. They notice when systems elevate productivity over presence. They sense when leadership is more focused on control than on Christ. The 20% keep moving because that’s what they’ve always done. But the 80% step back, not because they don’t care, but because something inside them says, “This isn’t the way.” The Real Issue And that’s the real imbalance. Not just numbers, but posture. A group that has fallen into groupthink, and a group that has discerned that something is off. The imbalance is not a people problem—it’s a discipleship problem. It’s not the 80% who are broken; it’s the disciple-making process that needs to be reformed. And yes, I know there will be pushback: “You can’t please everybody. You’ll never get 100%.” But this isn’t about pleasing everybody. This is about creating the kind of environment where integrity, transparency, hospitality, and missional imagination make space for the Spirit to move. When that happens, people don’t just “help out.” They come alive. They see the hands and feet of God moving in everyone, not just in the faithful few. They are drawn into the house of God because they see the move of God. The Solution There is hope—because there is a solution. This imbalance can be overcome, but not by pushing people harder or guilting them into service. The solution is to reform the disciple-making process. A process that takes everyone who is a part of the congregation deeper in their spiritual formation so they develop intimacy with God they discover who they are in Christ. A process that helps them discover their gifts and where those gifts fit in the life of the Church. A process where shared leadership is practiced, so responsibility is carried together, not hoarded at the top. A process of true assimilation—not just adding names to a roll, but helping people find a place where they belong, where their voice matters, and where they can grow. And I want to be clear: I’m not talking about some far-off dream. I’ve seen it happen. When I studied one of the fastest-growing churches in America—a church plant—they launched with 100 people, and everyone was actively engaged. That church group grew exponentially, with a need for a third service, after just three years. The church hadn't just grown numerically; the people I interviewed (randomly) also had spiritual depth. When I asked people about their involvement, no one said, “I don’t know where I belong” or “I don’t know what to do.” They knew their place. They were flowing in their gifts. Was the process perfect? No. Every church has weaknesses. But it showed me this: engagement at that level is possible. Not only possible—it’s powerful. I know the toll this imbalance takes. It doesn’t just exhaust congregations—it frustrates pastors. It creates restlessness in leaders who long for something deeper but feel stuck in a routine. It drains energy, creativity, and joy out of ministry. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to stay that way. I have no problem being a resource to pastors and leaders who feel trapped in this cycle. I know what it looks like, I’ve heard the stories, and I’ve seen the weariness. And I also know that when discipleship is reformed—when formation, gifts, shared leadership, and true belonging take root—the Church comes alive again. Reflection Questions For the 20%: Am I serving out of calling, or have I slipped into groupthink? Where do I need to recover courage, imagination, and discernment in my service? For the 80%: What do I need in order to re-engage? What would help me feel at home—valued, heard, and called into my true gifts? For Pastors & Leaders: What am I willing to do to move beyond groupthink and activate the 80%? How will I reform our disciple-making process so that every voice matters, and the whole body comes alive to lift Jesus? God’s house was never meant to be a place where only a few carry the weight. It was meant to be a true home—a faith community where: Everyone is engaged. Everyone serves according to their gifts. Everyone grows in belonging, not in being used. Let's build together: Stop burning out the 20%. Ignite the 80%. Let’s have a conversation if you want to turn your 20% into 100%. 📩 joycelyn@joycelynignites 📲 Facebook: @joycelynignites

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.” — 1 Samuel 2:8 (NIV) When I was in the 6th grade, I was cast as the lead in a school play called “Jive Cinderella.” In 1979, at just 12 years old, I proudly played a Black Cinderella. My mom was thrilled that I got the leading role, and I practiced for weeks to bring that story to life. But on opening night, something happened that none of us expected. Despite my role as Cinderella, I didn’t get the Prince. Instead, one of the stepsisters walked off with him. My mom was livid. She realized they had changed the ending of the story because of me — because I was a Black girl. In their eyes, Cinderella could not marry a white boy Prince. My mother refused to let that stand. The next day, she went to my principal, my teacher, and even the school superintendent. She fought for me to have the true Cinderella ending — not a diminished version rewritten by bias. And on the second night of the play, the story shifted. This time, I walked off the stage with the Prince by my side. My mom had made it clear: her Black daughter was worthy of a Happily Ever After. Looking back now, I realize how prophetic that moment was. It wasn’t just about a school play. It was about refusing to let systems alter the ending simply because of who was in the role. It was about dignity, truth, and refusing to accept less when God has promised more. And isn’t that what we’re still fighting for today? That the “Happily Ever After” in our country belongs to everyone — no matter their skin color, gender, or place in life? That the original intent of justice and love cannot be rewritten to exclude? My stood up for my Happily Ever After My mom’s fight taught me that Happily Ever After's are not just for fairy tales. They’re worth contending for in real life. And sometimes it takes someone who loves you enough to stand up, call out injustice, and demand that the ending reflect the Truth. Paul reminds us that God comforts us so that we can comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). My mom’s fight was not just for me — it was a glimpse of the Kingdom. And now, her courage is an inspiration for me to contend for others, to make sure no one’s story is rewritten or silenced because of who they are. So I ask again: Whose Happily Ever After are you contending for? Because fighting for justice, dignity, and truth isn’t just for ourselves — it’s for the generations after us. Reflection Questions: Have you ever had your story “rewritten” because of someone else’s prejudice or bias? Who in your life has fought for your dignity when others tried to take it away? What Happily Ever After are you still contending for today — in your family, your community, or your nation Related Reflections : These reflections are part of my ongoing journey to speak truth with faith and courage, even when it comes at great cost. I share them so that no woman's voice has to be silenced and so that justice and love can walk together. The Reflection Table: My Cinderella Story My Story: Every Day I Cried Unresolved: My Concern For Future Generations "The Impact of the Oppression of Women in the Church: A Personal Reflection" A Broken Church: Understanding the Reasons a Church Might Get Sued Finding True Peace in Righteousness: A Journey of Justice and Assurance in Isaiah 32:17 Awaken the Reformer Within You: Overcoming the Bystander Effect in Today's Church

I have always had the dream of using my gifts in the local church. One of my primary reasons for going to seminary was that I would take what I learned back to a local church and help to nurture and develop believers to become more spiritually mature. I had waited half my life to serve in a local church where my gifts were accepted (I am 55). Then it happened. I went to a church's website to find the time of services and discovered a career tab, that revealed my dream "job". My eyes watered; that "job" description was written just for me. I applied. I got the "job," and within the first ninety days, I had preached a sermon, taught Bible Study (people started returning), led a workshop for teachers (people wanted more), and met some of the most loving congregants that I had ever met in a church. I received positive responses for everything I did. To God Be the Glory! I was tearing up or crying every day because of the pure joy of serving God's people and the love and acceptance I had experienced. However, my tears of joy were flowing parallel to my tears of sadness because I had discovered that although the church where I served had a charge to love God and to love people, there was a culture that did not make this a priority. This was confirmed on Sunday, April 2, 2023, when I was sharing with a close friend, who is a licensed mental health professional, and prayer warrior/intercessor, about some of the experiences I was having at work, and she responded, "You know that what you are describing is a toxic work environment right? Don't underestimate the effects of a toxic work environment on your mental health." On April 7th, 2023, Good Friday, I fell trying to step over a doggie gate. I broke my femur and had to have emergency surgery which resulted in a complete left hip replacement. Four weeks after my surgery, it became even more evident that the culture was conflicting with my values of empathy, compassion, and love. I had suspected that I was working in a corporate culture and not a ministry culture, and it became more and more evident. I had lost all trust and started experiencing the physiological reaction of fight or flight whenever I had to engage with certain people. It wasn't about a fear of someone causing me physical harm; it was the fear of being provoked for the purpose of causing me to respond in what would cause me to be perceived as a person who was difficult to work with or someone who was not who I had presented myself to be. I felt they were trying to create evidence and create a narrative that would present me in a negative way. I felt they wanted me to quit. I did not want to get ensnared by their trap. I didn't feel that I had an advocate. On May 23, 2023, I went to my doctor about it; my blood pressure was 133/88; I had not had any issues with high blood pressure prior to working on this job. After praying, having a discussion with my doctor, seeing a mental health professional, and talking with my leadership coach and some wise friends, I discerned that I needed to resign to preserve my mental health so that my physical health would not be hindered. After submitting a work-from-home plan on May 19th and it getting approved, I began working from home on May 22, 2023 however, I was still led to resign on May 24, 2023. When I texted my close friend, the mental health professional, prayer warrior, and intercessor, that I resigned, her text back to me was, "I am both sorry about how it ended, but also glad that it ended. Your health was literally at stake". Confirmation. My tears of joy had turned into tears from a broken heart. My dream had been deferred. Some may think, "Well, Joycelyn, you didn't need your job, so you could resign." The truth is, that I did need my job, but I need my mental and my physical health more, so I had to resign and trust God to provide during this season when I am not working. He can do it! If you are someone who has found yourself working in ministry, but the culture where you work is stressful. I pray that you will have the courage to speak up for yourself. If you fear retaliation, then I pray you have the courage to resign. It is not worth your mental and physical health. Stressful work environments cause mental health problems and physical illness. Do not forget to check out the Resource page and the Home page.

Ministry Disclaimer: Drawing on over 20 years of leadership experience and training in church growth dynamics, I offer these insights to help nurture a healthy, Christ-centered church culture. This post is not about any one church, but is intended to inspire reflection, prayer, and courageous conversation in all faith communities. Every church context is unique, so this post is not legal advice and should not replace guidance from qualified legal, professional, or pastoral advisors familiar with your specific situation. Above all, seek God’s wisdom, act in love, and remain anchored in His truth. Church culture is based on the behaviors and beliefs of that congregation. A congregation creates a culture based on how it responds to certain beliefs and behaviors. And then it can become known for those beliefs and behaviors of people who do not attend that church or those who do. The leaders in a church drive the culture because their responsibility is to guide a church in being a reflection of what the congregation believes and practices. You may say, "Well, I'm not a leader, so I am not responsible for the culture." Unfortunately, this isn't true because every person who participates in a congregation either perpetuates a particular culture thru their actions or inactions." It's what happened during the civil rights movement; black and white people said, we will not tolerate this culture of discrimination, so people like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Rosa Parks, and others decided to act on what they believed in challenging the discriminatory culture. Action can perpetuate and challenge culture and inaction also perpetuates culture as well. It's what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, "The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people." Edmund Burke said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." More and more people are sharing stories about their experiences in toxic church environments. It is heartbreaking. If you listen to the reports, you would think only a few people are creating the toxicity, but it's not just those people; it's the church's culture. I was told that in one church, at least thirteen people have had similar experiences as I have had or worse. Thirteen people? How did it move beyond two? Culture. The people in the congregation are perpetuating and affirming certain types of behaviors thru the way they respond to them. More than likely, those in power prioritized protecting the institution rather than the people. This is a very common response in churches that have a toxic culture. Wade Mullen explains how this happens when a person challenges the toxic culture. He says, "An organization or culture that perpetuates abuse will question the motives of those who ask questions, make the discussion of problems the problem, condemn those who condemn, silence those who break silence, and descend upon those who dissent." This is how a toxic culture is perpetuated and affirmed. Once this happens, the culture becomes a culture of control, weariness, fear, secrecy, silence, and indifference. And in the words of one of my leadership mentors, "Culture wins every time." Culture can be so irresistible, whether good or bad. Just think that in one congregation where thirteen people have experienced toxicity, culture is winning 13 - 0. However, there is hope! There are four ways to overcome a toxic culture and nurture a safe church culture. Tell the Truth- speak up when you believe something is wrong. Be respectful. The freedom to disagree or share what you believe is right, based on scripture, nurtures a safe church culture. There may be times when you agree to disagree, but every voice should matter. Seek the Truth- Ask questions. Don't let someone tell you who you can't talk with while trying to discover the Truth of a situation. Know the Truth- You must know God's Word. Do the attitudes, actions, policies, procedures, etc., align with scripture? The corporate structure should not be the authority on how the church conducts its business as long as what is done does not break the law. The Bible should be the final authority on policy and procedures. If you don't know God's Word, you can fall prey to deception and get sucked into using the corporate model as your guide. This is bringing the world into the church. One tip is that if attitudes, actions, policies, procedures, etc., are not filtered thru the lens of love, they do not align with scripture. John 8:32 says, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Truth breaks the chains of a toxic culture. No one who practices deception can survive in culture where Truth is a priority. Another way a safe church culture can be nurtured is thru repentance. Repentance means a change of heart and a change of direction. It's Godly sorrow. When a congregation discovers that it has participated in affirming toxic behavior and a toxic culture, there must be individual and corporate repentance. Repentance breaks the chains of toxicity. As Christians, we are called to create communities of love and safety. Making Truth the priority and practicing repentance as individuals and as a corporate body are two of the most loving ways to nurture a culture that is safeguarded against toxicity. A person who affirms toxicity in a church cannot survive in a culture that practices repentance. Don't lose hope. You can nurture a safe church culture because scripture says, "...that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26) because nothing is impossible with God Luke 1:37. Do NOT forget to check out our RESOURCES. Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash Photo by Rob Martin on Unsplash

Disclaimer: The content of this post is based entirely on the vision of Shane Pippen and is shared here with his permission. It is not intended to accuse or identify any specific person or organization. The purpose is to offer this vision as a point of reflection and spiritual encouragement. Shane Pippin shared his vision about a Christian Leader on FB on July 19, 2024. I asked him for permission to post this vision on my blog. Last night, just minutes before midnight, I was pulled into a vision. I saw a prominent Christian leader. Then, as I was looking at him, his appearance changed. He was now wearing a Milwaukee jersey. Then, his head was transformed into a buck. A buck is a male deer, antelope, or goat. After seeing this transformation, God quickly began speaking clearly to me about goats. These spiritual goats… They have eyes but do not see They have ears but do not hear (Jer 5:21, Ez 12:2 Mark 8:18). They have been given over to a depraved mind (Rom 1:28). Yes, they are sometimes seeing visions and dreams, and they are possibly hearing words, but they are mostly seeing what they want to see and hearing what they want to hear. They think they are mighty lions in prayer and fasting. But they are really just goats, bucking and fussing. They are proud, boisterous, and their lungs are filled with violence. Like Peter when he became suddenly filled with Satan, and he bucked against Jesus’ destiny. They are haters of God’s true will, His perfect way…they buck against His “cross” plan and command. These goats are frictional, and they house murder in their hearts. They have virulent tendencies. They’re dirtied by wickedness. They are distracted with their perpetual craving of this world, and their unethical perversions. They are mired in ever-increasing hypocrisy. They have become too earthly—dominion—minded to be any kingdom-of crosses good. I heard God say, “I’m about to take the goats to court.” Remember, the goats are the opposite of sheep, and sheep are what Christians are called to be (Matthew 25). For clarity, I think the “courts” are both literal and figurative. I think many people that are being firmly separated into the goat community are going to also face many various legal issues as their crimes and sins are revealed and exposed. On the other hand, I think the “courts” will also be metaphorical, as in judgment is coming—they are being set aside for judgment. Jer 5:29a Shall I not punish them for these things? Post script: 1.this morning I had an inbox message, inviting me to an upcoming event to be hosted by the minister I saw in last night’s vision. 2. I did not know until tonight that the Republican convention is happening in Milwaukee. Politics is the primary entanglement and sin of idolatry that has led many believers into ignorantly (unaware) becoming goats.