40 Days of Prayer & Discernment | Days 1-5

This past Sunday, I joined several leaders from our congregation's Leadership Team to host a State of the Church information meeting.

During the meeting, we updated church members about recent successes in ministry, vital partnerships with fellow non-profit organizations which we've formed in the last couple of years, and shared how the reach & impact of our congregation extends beyond the walls of our church building.

We also received a clear and honest report from our treasurer regarding our church's finances, operating budget, and a potential forecast as we look ahead to the remainder of 2026.

If you're a member of our congregation but you missed attending this in-person session and you would like to view this video, please request a link by emailing me at [email protected]. 

Near the end of the gathering, I shared my hope for our faith community to enter into a season of prayerful consideration, conversation, and thought.

Starting today, August 12 and lasting through Sunday, September 20, we will engage in 40 Days of Prayer & Discernment.

I encourage you to return to this blog every Monday between now and September 20 for devotionals and prompts guiding you in meditation and prayer over different areas of ministry found within our church family.

I trust that the Holy Spirit will speak to us through this exercise to help bring into focus which programs, physical assets, and strategic partnerships are important and necessary to our core mission to "Love God by Loving Others."

I also want to make myself available for phone conversations, video chats, and one-to-one meetings. Every Monday, I will be in the church office from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Feel free to drop in unannounced or call ahead if you'd like to see me or any of our staff.

Dr. Durbin and I will also be available at several coffee shops throughout Collierville on Tuesday mornings from 10:00am until 12:00 Noon. We welcome any questions, comments, or reflections about our current situation as a church body, and we'd love to hear your ideas for innovation and fresh expressions of faith.

You can RSVP to these in-person coffee meet-ups on our Facebook page, or simply swing by for a cup of joe and conversation. Our schedule during these 40 Days of Prayer & Discernment is as follows:

Aug. 18 at Carrington Oaks Coffeehouse
Aug. 25 at Levee Coffee & Creamery
Sep. 1 at Café 127
Sep. 8 at Donut Hutt
Sep. 15 at Starbucks (S. Houston Levee)

We want to dream up and imagine possibilities that push beyond what might be considered standard procedure or some sort of protocol copied from a business playbook. Instead, we want to live into God's preferred future for our congregation.

​As we consider the level of giving & tithes each family can commit to placing in the offering plate this year as well as the various uses of our church building and vital partnerships we can create with other congregations, non-profit organizations, and outside groups who desire to utilize our space, I pray that God will provide focus and clarity for our next steps as a church family.

So, today I invite you to read the passage of Scripture printed below and consider the ways in which our young people are leading us as a congregation. What gifts and talents do they possess? How are they not simply the "Church of Tomorrow," but rather the "Church of Today?"

After reading this passage, scroll down to read prompts for the different days of this week. And if you haven't already, watch the faith witnesses shared by our children & youth from our July 26 worship service linked below.

Thank you for your support! I look forward to joining you in person and in spirit during these next 40 Days of Prayer & Discernment. May God bless you and the people of Peace Tree!
+Pastor Kris Roof

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And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (The Message)

August 12 - Psalm 8:2 comments on how the praise of God by infants & children who gurgle choruses and shout songs are able to drown out the talk of enemies. How have you witnessed infants, toddlers, and young children praising God with their songs, shouts, and cries this past month?

August 13 - How important is it for tweens and teens to experience short term mission trips like Mountain T.O.P. or Rio Bravo? What is different about traveling to another place to engage in mission work versus volunteering here at home?

August 14 - Is God calling you to get Safe Sanctuary trained and background checked so that you may begin volunteering in the Nursery, with Peace Tree Kids, or with the Roots youth group?

August 15 - How have the young people of our faith community helped teach you about faith and trust in God? What example have they set with their words, demeanor, love, faith, and integrity?

August 16 - Is God calling you to provide a meal for one of the Wednesday night youth meet-ups this semester? If you do feel led to provide a meal for these students to enjoy, will you also consider sticking around to break bread in the fellowship hall and spend time with our teens, adult volunteers, and church staff?