About
Leaders Who Last
Rev. Debbie Lamm Bray, PhD, founder
Jesus said that His burden is easy, and His yoke is light. He invited us to take His burden upon ourselves, and find rest for our souls (see Matthew 11). But instead of living in His rest and peace, we often live in rest-lessness, anxiety, isolation, discouragement, and other conditions that make us weary. We live worn out, ready-to-quit lives.
But Jesus came to give us more.
Leaders Who Last founder Rev. Debbie Lamm Bray, PhD, learned through her own experience that ministers need time and space for ongoing growth and for rest and refreshing. She also noticed a yearning for deeper connection with God and more personal engagement with God's presence in a respite from the demands of ministry leadership. So many ministers were frustrated and tired.
In addition, Debbie noticed that concerns over ministerial mental health, persistence in ministry, and lasting commitment to Christ were growing. What can we do? How can we facilitate a shift in what seems to be a tide?
God began to breathe life into Debbie's desire to help ministers grow, connect with God, and be healthy. And He began to say, of one approach at a time, "Now is the time."
Thus, Leaders Who Last was formed. With input from other ministry leaders and those who serve ministers, the organization launched in the summer of 2024.
We exist to:
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Facilitate opportunities for Christians, and especially ministry leaders and spouses, to reset their minds, hearts, and relationships
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Provide guided experiments with spiritual disciplines such as solitude and silence
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Create safe environments for spiritual and leadership growth in community
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Make available resources that will help leaders and Christian leaders grow in their own walks with Christ and in their skill in influencing others toward God's Kingdom and heart
Always looking at the needs around us and listening for the prompting of the Holy Spirit, Leaders Who Last is committed to being part of meeting spiritual and leadership formation needs for Christian leaders and those we influence.
Although Debbie is leading LWL's virtual and in-person gatherings, she regularly seeks wisdom and feedback from other respected leaders. In addition, she is currently networking with other organizations and groups to bring these opportunities for renewal, encouragement and growth to more people. As LWL grows, so will the network of leaders serving through LWL.
We are just getting started.
Let's see what God will do among and within us!
Let us help you get & stay healthy enough to grow and last - in ministry and in your walk with Christ
We offer multiple ways to intentionally connect with God and others to help you rest, restore, and grow
Still Waters Retreats
He leads me beside still waters ... He restores my soul. (Ps 23)
One-day gatherings centered around solitude time with God and community scripture meditation, prayer, and reflection. Guidance and time to practice then reflect help facilitate growth and new life in these disciplines.
"What a refreshing time to disconnect from distractions and be still before the Lord! This retreat was amazing ...
just what I needed."
Dr. David Martin, Lead Pastor, Oregon
Calling Cohorts
Let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you. (I Cor 7)
During seasons of transition, discouragement, and doubt, taking time to clarify and affirm our calling can be helpful. And those considering vocational ministry need to explore what God's calling means. Doing this work in a community is healthy and helpful.
These communities meet for 60 minutes each month for 3 months. Participants read two books, take an assessment, receive teaching, and engage in guided discussion. Individual coaching is also available.
Prayer & Scripture Communities
... We, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word.” (Acts 1)
Meditate on and pray through Scripture with other ministers in a virtual gathering. Each Community lasts for three months and meets for one guided, 60-minute Zoom gathering each month.
Book Communities
Give instruction to the wise, and they will become wiser still; teach the righteous, and they will gain in learning. (Prov 9)
Featuring various books on spiritual growth, ministry, and leadership, Book Communities commit to read a particular title and meet monthly via Zoom for a guided discussion of the reading and to receive additional teaching on the subject. The duration of each Community varies depending on the length and depth of the book.
Winter 2025 Titles:
A Church Called Tov
The Other Half of Church
Do you or those you lead need a:
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Workshop for a ministry team?
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Staff development day or retreat that will impact your team personally and professionally?
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Course on Bible, theology, or connecting with God?
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Conference or retreat speaker?
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Guest speaker for Sunday or a weekend of services?
Take a look at how we can help.
For Your Team or Ministry
... Equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ .... (Eph 4)
Resources
... Let the wise, too, hear and gain in learning and the discerning acquire skill .... (Prov 1)
Find book recommendations plus links to articles and other resources
Ministry leaders who last in ministry
and in following Christ
intentionally connect to Christ and others.
Regularly.
But we often carry so much responsibility that we need someone to facilitate points of connection for us ...
to help us disconnect from the constant noise and activity ...
to give us structure to help us engage in new ways ....
to guide us and coach us,
to provide safe space for us to be authentic with God, ourselves, and others.
Leaders Who Last does this - and more.
Helping Ministers Make Room for Peace and Abundant Life
Life and ministry are hurried, hectic, and harried.
But Jesus did not come to give us things to do. He came to give us life, and that more abundantly.
How can we make space to abide in the life Jesus wants us to have? How do we shift our mindset from productivity and transaction to a true relationship with the living and present God? How do we move the needle from frantic service toward the peace that passes understanding? Where do we have the conversations that form us in holy and healthy ways?
Along with devotions or quiet time, there are other rhythms we can develop to regularly feed the parts of our souls that our Shepherd wants to restore. Some of those are for us to do alone with the Holy Spirit. Others invite us into authentic community for encouragement and growth together.
Leaders Who Last offers several opportunities for you to experiment with new rhythms and find refreshing life:
Still Waters Retreats: Take a guided personal retreat that includes solitude and silence as well as community experiences with scripture and reflection
Prayer & Scripture Communities: Join a temporary virtual group of ministers and ministry spouses for monthly prayer and scripture meditation and discussion
Book Communities: Discuss your thoughts with other leaders and work through the challenges presented by authors who address spiritual and leadership growth
Calling Cohorts: Explore, affirm, or clarify your calling through a three month journey with 6 virtual meetings, readings, teaching, an assessment, and guided reflection
Resources: Books and articles that can help you and your team grow
Opportunities for Teams
Book a Still Waters Retreat specifically for your team. Contact us to discuss options for dates, location, format, and cost.
Schedule Dr. Lamm Bray for a CliftonStrengths Workshop as an investment in the health of your team. Learn about one another's strengths, tendencies, and communication patterns, and how that knowledge can help you function more healthily and effectively.
Explore the site to see how we can help you. Good leadership that lasts does not happen accidentally. Persistence in following Jesus is not casual Christianity. Decide to invest in your spiritual health and leadership longevity.
Be careful to preserve your health. It is a trick of the devil, which he employs to deceive good souls, to incite them to do more than they are able, in order that they may no longer be able to do anything.
Vincent de Paul