Jesus Worldview Peer Group Opportunities
Leading a congregation to view its mission through the lens of Jesus’ life and teachings can feel less isolating and more resourceful when shared with trusted peers.
Experienced pastor, teacher and writer Guy Sayles of Asheville, N.C., is facilitating peer group experiences for the Jesus Worldview Initiative.
These groups may meet in person and/or remotely to provide support, share ideas or even collaborate on sermon preparations.
“We want to facilitate whatever helps leaders who are encouraging and equipping themselves and their congregants to grow in the capacity to view faith and the world through a Jesus lens,” said Guy.
One such group grew out of participation in a Jesus Worldview Retreat in 2024. Four participating pastors enlisted three others for the group. They come from congregations across four states in the southeastern U.S.
“The Jesus Worldview Retreat in Yellowstone was an excellent opportunity to meet and spend time with pastors I didn’t know personally,” said Eric Spivey, pastor of Vestavia Hills Baptist Church in Alabama.
“While we were hiking beside the great canyon there, I realized how much I needed companionship in ministry, he said. “I wanted to see if the other pastors on the trip might be interested in creating a new peer group around the Jesus Worldview ideas.”
Eric added that within six months after returning from the fall retreat the group was hiking together again in North Georgia.
“I’m grateful for the Jesus Worldview Initiative bringing us together,” he said.
David Brooks, pastor of First Baptist Church of Rome, Ga., said the newly formed group’s regathering was invaluable to him.
“We shared what is going well for us as individuals and as pastors, but we also had the opportunity to share challenges and pose questions about how to deal with some hard issues and the political division we are all facing right now,” said David.
He added: “Also, I have benefited from suggestions of resources and ways that others have dealt with sticky issues in their contexts.”
The group discussed John Mark Comer’s book, Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus, Become like Him, Do as He Did.
However, Eric described the gathering as 75 percent relationship building and 25 percent content sharing.
“I think we all know that it’s a lonely road without other ministerial relationships out there,” said Ryan Wilson, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Seneca, S.C. “The idea of keeping Jesus at the forefront is key for all of us amid people trying to push all kinds of agendas these days.”
This is just one model of forming and maintaining peer groups focused on seeing and seeking life through a Jesus lens.
Some possibilities for which Guy Sayles or another Jesus Worldview facilitator is available to assist are:
- Meeting with existing peer groups to discuss the ongoing shaping of a Jesus worldview. These in-person or virtual conversations may center on a resource the peer group suggests or on material the facilitator brings for consideration. Some peer groups may want the facilitator to lead a retreat or all-day session.
- Helping to form peer groups among leaders who would like to meet with others for conversations about the challenges of, and resources for, developing a Jesus worldview. The facilitator could identify potential participants, suggest resources and facilitate occasional conversations.
- Sermon-shaping peer groups might meet to prepare series to articulate and advance the following of Jesus as the congregation’s defining priority and identity. The facilitator could recommend preaching resources others have used for short-term and yearlong preaching series (like 52 Weeks of Jesus or Jesus 365).
“The Jesus Worldview Initiative doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all approach to the support of peer groups,” said Guy. “We are flexible about format, resources, kinds of gatherings and duration of these groups.”
To explore possibilities for peer group participation, formation or resourcing, please contact Guy Sayles at guysayles@gmail.com.