Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Program

Peter Steinke, a Lutheran pastor and author from Austin, Texas, was a guest speaker at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt for the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Program. The ecumenical group includes Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, United Church of Christ pastors and lay leaders.Steinke spoke about how the mission is the mission of God and to proclaim who we are and what we are about. He discussed healing, its importance and about how justice comes from Judeo-Christians. He shared that all should let their lives speak about the good they do for others. That all are family members and even though many don’t want their church to change, it is important to have people who want to change.
Steinke shared material from his study of Bowen Theory, biblical themes and contemporary challenges for the church. He has written several books including: Healthy Congregations, Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times and A Door Set Open.