LIFT Renewal Ministries

“Few things impact a minister more than the practice of gathering around the scriptures with brothers and sisters and chewing on its words.  As a result, each week of the LIFT Lectionary Reading Week has been the most foundational and formational week in my calendar year.  It has streamlined my worship planning, improved my preaching, and strengthened my collegial relationships in a very Christian way.  I plan on using my week of study leave with LIFT again!”
Rev. Steven F. Peralta, Senior Pastor -Thousand Oaks, CA

“The Reading Week with Rev. Bill Johnson was a fruitful retreat/working week away from my office.  It was helpful to be in community, hear the lectionary texts read out loud and reflect together on the passages and themes that jumped out from the texts.  It was a week of balance; between the Word of God, community and working time alone.  The Reading Week is already on my calendar for this year!”
Rev. Stephanie Toon-Glassman, Senior Pastor - First UMC of Orange

“I have always enjoyed the challenge of being a lectionary preacher, finding the fuller story of the texts a far richer tapestry than I might have laid out if left to my own devices.  But truth be told, I had come to a rut where I would weekly (or at my best seasonally) come to the well of the lectionary to see what I would draw out to preach on ahead.  And so my preaching and vision for the text came piecemeal and at times disjointed.  The Reading Week experience invited me to hear the whole gospel narrative in a shared reading and give myself permission to take time to reflect on themes, events, and stories that would become the lifeblood of my church.  I can say that my preaching, worship, and spirit has never been fresher!  And it is such a reassurance in the life of a busy pastor to know that I have already sown these seeds for my proclamation by making the intentional space for them in this week.”
Rev. Andy Mattick, Senior Pastor - Malibu UMC

Ready to register for this dynamic week of study, reflection, and preparation?  Send an email to LIFT or give us a call (see the ‘contact’ tab), and get you enrolled. Simple as that.
Hope to see you in October at the Reading Week!