
In this book, you will discover four primary behaviors that effectively shift our mindset as leaders and prepare our faith communities for leadership in a changing world:
- Listen
- Center
- Explore
- Connect
Written for leaders (pastors, youth ministers, and congregational councils) to use with their teams, the book strategically focuses on behaviors known to help people and communities grow. This is different from the usual process of setting goals or identifying outcomes. These behaviors produce contextually relevant results based on the leadership and location. NEW in this updated and expanded 2nd edition: LEAD’s very latest learning, a chapter on rethinking metrics, and a glossary of terms.
We believe everyone and every congregation can grow. Growth is a choice that recognizes Christian leadership is really discipleship, with leaders growing other leaders.
LEAD’s research indicates that the difference between growing and stalled leaders and faith communities rests in how these growth indicators (Listen, Center, Explore, Connect) are turned into behaviors. These specific adaptive practices will help leaders shape the path from a beloved traditional church to one with deep, bold, consequential faith.
Welcome to life in The Sacred Valley. We can do this!
WHAT’S INSIDE?
Woven throughout The Sacred Valley are photos and stories from LEAD’s pilgrimage to hike the Inca Trail and beautiful art journaling by Vonda Drees.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peggy Hahn is passionate about growing leaders and dreams of faith communities that attract people of all ages and cultures as they make a difference in their neighborhoods and in the world. She served both in congregations and as Assistant to the Bishop in the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the ELCA for more than 34 years. She received the 2014 Tom Hunstad Award for Excellence in Children, Youth, and Family Ministry. Peggy coordinated service projects for 36,000 people at the 2009 and 2012 ELCA Youth Gatherings in New Orleans and was the innovator of Camp Hope Day Camp Ministries and The Disciple Project. Peggy is the Executive Director of LEAD.