The week following The Gathering I was on a walk and found myself reflecting on the conference. I realized how much of what stayed with me centered around connection. There were certainly wonderful and important conversations about governance, well-being, engagement, and leadership (and who could forget the hope and calling keynote presentation that poured out of Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson?) But beneath all of those topics was something even deeper taking place. The Gathering created space for people to listen to each other’s humanity, to share openly, and to recognize that many of the challenges we carry are not ours alone.
During the succession planning session, Kevin Paluszak, CEO, Pleasant View Inc., said something that has stayed with me. The more I have reflected on that idea, the more it has unfolded for me. A relay race requires trust. It requires awareness of those who came before us and intentionality toward those who will carry the work after us. It also requires connection with the people running alongside us – those stretching us to go further and persevere. No one sustains the race alone.
That idea connected deeply to an experience I had following my keynote at The Gathering. During the session, I shared a personal story about conflict within my own congregation and the importance of remaining in the room long enough to understand what was shaping another person’s perspective. It wasn’t a story with a clean resolution. It was a reflection on how tempting it can be to disconnect, especially when emotions are high or disagreement feels personal.
It felt vulnerable to share that story and wonder if people would see me differently afterward. Yet throughout the day, people approached me with stories of their own. Leaders spoke openly about tension, misunderstanding, division, and the difficulty of navigating hard conversations within organizations, faith communities, and personal relationships. While I knew intellectually these experiences were common, hearing them spoken aloud created a deep sense of connection. It confirmed how much people long for spaces where honesty, discernment, and thoughtful listening are present.
I believe that is part of what made The Gathering so meaningful. Bringing together four faith groups created something larger than education alone. It created community among leaders who are often doing important work in relative isolation. I wonder if the conversations felt more significant because people were willing to learn from one another rather than protect their own expertise or perspective.
The experience reminded me that true curiosity requires humility and patience. It asks for a greater sacrifice of ourselves. It asks us to slow down long enough to consider if we are hearing the full story, or if we have stopped listening because someone’s perspective feels uncomfortable, unfamiliar, or at odds with our own.
In a time when we are navigating relentless complexity and change, I left The Gathering with a renewed commitment. If leadership truly is a relay race, then perhaps one of the most important things we can do is remain connected to the people running beside us — learning from one another, strengthening one another, and inspiring each other to live out our callings while we advance the Kingdom.
By Nikki Rineer, Senior Consultant | AQORD Consulting
Share This: