BESIDE STILL WATERS

2016 Annual Report

CONTENTS2 A Word of Greeting

3 Board of Directors & Ministry Team

4 Vision, Mission, Core Values 5 Programs, Services & Resources

6 SpiritualFormationStore.com Online Resources

8 Ministry Stats & Highlights

9 Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2015

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. - PSALM 23: 1-3a (ESV)

A WORD OF GREETINGFrom the President and Chairman Dear Friends, When King David wrote the much beloved 23rd Psalm, he knew from a lifetime of experience what it meant to lead his sheep beside quiet waters. It was only when the waters were still that the sheep would drink. If the water was rushing too violently, the shepherd took the time to create by hand a slower moving stream where the sheep could cozy up alongside in safety and enjoy the liquid refreshment of invigorating water. This il-lustrates what we have come to believe is the most important priority of a leaders’ life: spending quality time enveloped by the peace of God found supremely by still waters.

Each aspect of this ministry invites leaders and teams to find Spirit-blessed rest for their souls beside the renewing water of God’s Word and by listening attentively in prayer and community conversation. We know with certainty that given the current flow of a leaders active life of service, their soul – and the soul of their team – is often the first to be ignored. But, neglecting the soul not only causes long term damage in leader-ship, but the negative ripple effects are felt in the hearts of the followers too. Instead, by abiding close to the streams of living water, a leader is nurtured, restored and equipped for all that comes their way.

What you are about to read is the story of LTI on the cusp of our greatest season of service to date. Since July 1, 2003 God has steadily grown this ministry in healthy, organic, life-transforming ways. We give God all of the glory, honor and praise. The Lord established this ministry, has blessed the work of our hands, and has empowered us by his Spirit to lean fully into all that he’s given to us over the years. The team that God has as-sembled, and the ministry God has created since day one is something we marvel to behold.

In your hands is the Annual Report of our 13th year of service to the body of Christ. We pray that you will be encouraged by what you read and review in these pages. We covet your prayers for the days ahead of us, as together the board and ministry teams are discerning our exciting future. We want to remain in the center of God’s will, and a large part of that is knowing you are with us in prayerful, financial and personal support. We are a team and we we are called to serve one another as we fulfill our vision and mission together.

Thank you for your friendship and partnership in ministry, and please let us know how we can be of further service to you.

With grateful hearts in Christ,

Stephen A. Macchia Mike ChuliFounder and President Chairman of the Board

BOARD OF DIRECTORS& MINISTRY TEAM

Board of DirectorsMike Chuli, ChairmanDavid Beatty, TreasurerDiana Bennett, SecretaryJean KingstonJoseph KrivickasSteve MacchiaLynda Wheatley

Ministry TeamSteve Macchia, Founder and PresidentRick Anderson, Senior Vice President Meah Arakaki, Executive Assistant Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, Selah FacultyTom Ashbrook, Selah FacultyDiana Bennett, Director of Ministry Relations John Coe, Selah FacultyTravis Collins, Selah Faculty Susan Currie, Director of Selah & Associate for Spiritual Formation Alan Fadling, Selah FacultyJohn French, Selah Faculty Gayle Heaslip, Spiritual Formation Associate Cheri Hudspith, Selah Faculty Cristina Machuca, Team Associate

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Special AdvisorsMark Holbrook, National Advisor to the BoardBrian Lacey, Legal CounselRichard Plass, Advisor to the President

Greg Mahoney, Web & Software Developer David McKiel, Accountant Genalin Niere-Metcalf, Selah Faculty Rhea Patton, Selah Faculty Nicole Rim, Graphic Designer Warren Schuh, Lead Church Health Coach Jim Smith, Sabbatical Coach Jeremy Stefano, Minister of Spiritual Formation & Director of EmmausBr. David Vryhof, Selah FacultyChristine Warner, Selah FacultyAngela Wisdom, Associate Director of Selah Liz Whitfield, Accounts Receivable ManagerDavid Wu, Spiritual Formation Associate Ted Wueste, Selah Senior Faculty

At each Emmaus retreat we bring an ob-ject representing our state of soul. At the first retreat I brought this little yellow toy sports car. This sports car was capable of going fast, but it was stuck in second gear. I was struggling with how to develop a closer relationship with God. I will never forget my experience of God’s love at that first retreat. I felt that I could finally grasp something that had been just beyond my reach. I wept with tears of joy. That was four years ago and I’ve been back ever since. I come for the joy of sharing spiritual journeys in an intentional com-munity. The teaching and book discus-sions provide knowledge and content. The times of silence help me to listen to God. But what I have enjoyed most is the small group experience. It is so energizing to me to see how people want to deepen their relationship with God and how he is at work. Thank you LTI for providing me the skills, techniques and heart to pursue this ministry. What a difference you are making in so many lives!

EMMAUSSpiritual Leadership Communi-ties sharing an authentic journey of spiritual formation and leadership development

SELAHA two year, retreat-based Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction with a Trinitarian, contemplative, and bibli-cal framework

PIERCE CENTER FOR DISCIPLE-BUILDINGFacilitating spiritual formation and discipleship of Gordon-Conwell Seminary students

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORINGProviding spiritual leadership coach-ing and mentoring services to profes-sional ministry leaders

SPIRITUAL DIRECTIONRegular soul care conversations and spiritual companionship to help leaders listen to God at work in their lives

SOUL CARE RETREATS & SOUL SABBATHSOvernight and day-long experiences of Sabbath rest and biblical, prayerful reflection

SPIRITUAL FORMATION GROUPSSmall groups of leaders growing together in Christlikeness

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT FOR TEAMS Specialized consultation services for ministry teams

SABBATICAL COACHINGCustomized approach to ensure a life-giving and truly restful experience

ONLINE ASSESSMENTSChurch Health Assessment ToolEnneagram (self-clarity profile)

SPIRITUALFORMATIONSTORE.COMHundreds of recommended books, digital retreat and reflection guides, books and articles written by LTI team

VISION, MISSION, CORE VALUES VisionFor local churches and Christian organizations to be filled with leaders who place spiritual formation, discernment and renewal above all other leadership priorities.

MissionTo cultivate vibrant spirituality and attentive discernment among Christian leaders and teams.

PROGRAMS, SERVICES & RESOURCES

Core ValuesTHE TRINITYTransformation occurs as we receive the extravagant love of the Father, the gracious redemption of his Son, and the empowering presence of his Holy Spirit.

THE LOCAL CHURCH Our communities of faith wherein we become spiritually formed as the people of God and in one accord fulfill the Great Com-mandment (loving God), the second Great Commandment (lov-ing one another) and the Great Commission (sharing the love of Christ in word and deed).

AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY Since we are created to live in relational communities and func-tion as teams, and because of our commitment to enhance the health and vitality of the body of Christ, we seek to multiply the efforts of ministry teams in addition to coming alongside individual leaders.

VIBRANT SPIRITUALITYBased on the Word of God as our incarnational text, prayer as the primary way we communicate with God, and reflective dis-ciplines that keep us in the flow of ongoing spiritual renewal. This includes soul care designed around contemplative practices, prayerful discernment processes, and a Sabbath lifestyle of paus-ing, resting, embracing and celebrating our life with God.

ATTENTIVE DISCERNMENT While spiritual formation and discernment have more to do with our “being” (character and attitudes) than our “doing” (actions and accomplishments), we balance the development of individual spiritual lives and ministry systems (discerning attentiveness to God’s ongoing invitation, direction, and blessing) with strategic thinking/planning, continually remaining in a listening, open-handed, and spiritually responsive posture.

Selah-East Cohort 10 Emmaus Cohort 10

4 5

Selah-West Cohort 11

Graeme MillsEmmaus ParticipantManaging DirectorCambridge Associates

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SPIRITUALFORMATIONSTORE.COM & ONLINE RESOURCES

As a seminary student I enrolled in Emmaus. Then I enrolled in Selah as I was preparing

for my pastoral role at Access Church and in the process felt the call to start LTI-Houston.

Selah continues to inform and transform the way I do my work as a pastor and how I live life

with God. While the knowledge, practices, and skills I gained during my time in Selah were

invaluable, by far what brought transformation to my life were deep experiences of God’s

love and greater awareness of my belovedness. In learning to attend to and listen for the voice

of God (not just in a spiritual direction session, but in all areas of life), my relationship with

God deepened in unexpected ways, as did my capacity to love others in a more authentic way.

Being God’s beloved has changed everything: the way I relate to God, self, and others.

David WuEmmaus & Selah Graduate (now faculty for Selah-West) Spiritual Formation Pastor Access Church, Houston, TX

Stanwich Church benefited from the ministry of Leadership Transformations when Steve Macchia came to lead and speak to our elders at their annual retreat. These men and women eagerly accepted the invitation to slow down, take a breath and engage in resting in God’s love and care for each of them personally. They quickly recognized their need to respond to the Holy Spirit’s invitation to be atten-tive to their own soul care before diving into church business. Only then would they be able to lead the congregation with care, wisdom and integrity as they began a new year as spiritual leaders of the church. Thank you LTI for the spiritual formation resources you make readily available for me to use in my own soul care and for guiding me in creating opportuni-ties for individuals in our congregation to under-stand and experience spiritual formation in their own lives.

Jacky GatliffAssociate PastorStanwich Congregational ChurchGreenwich, CT

Reflective Readings Advent Community Contemplative Bible Reading Daily Examen Forgiving Others God’s Strength in

Our Weakness Goodness of God Grace of God Holiness of God Hope in God Hospitality Hymnody of Charles Wesley Intimacy with Christ Lent Listening Prayer Listening to God Listening to One Another Living Hope Living in the Spirit Longsuffering of God Meditating on God’s World

Silencio: Free Monthly Resource

SILENCIOA RESOURCE OF LEADERSHIP TRANSFORMATIONS, INC.

© A U G U S T 2 0 1 3 , E I G H T H E D I T I O N

SA RESOU

“I can’t believe how the Scriptures came alive!” exclaimed a spiritual friend

aft er I suggested he try reading the Scriptures slowly and out loud. He had

read the Bible all his life; sometimes the text was full of life and challenge.

Recently his devotional life was more mechanical, going through the motions.

Here was a serious Christian going through a dry spell. Deciding to read

through the Bible in a year, at breakneck speed, he completed his assignment

but he sensed very little of the voice of God in his life.

I recalled a time when I fi rst found reading aloud, meditatively and slowly,

aided my hearing of God. Was this some newfangled reading of Scripture

from the latest author? No, it is a style that is old as the Bible. St Benedict of

Nursa, a 6th century organizer of monks who aided students in their study

of Scripture, is oft en credited with the organizing structure of Lectio Divina.

Lectio Divina or Sacred Reading (some call it devotional reading) of

Scripture is not Bible study. It is more like praying the Scriptures. It is

reading the Scriptures with the heart. Lectio Divina does not replace Bible

study but complements and enhances it so as to let God address our hearts

as well as our heads. Too oft en we read Scripture as a devotional duty rather

than an appointment with the living God. When I invited my friend to slow

down and listen, it was like the opportunity to ruminate over a love letter as

opposed to reading and analyzing a bill from Verizon.

Th e Upper Room suggests this way to practice sacred reading with an assist

from Richard Foster:

1. Lectio (reading with a listening spirit) Read the Scripture slowly. Watch

for a key phrase or word that jumps out at you or promises to have special

meaning for you. It is better to dwell profoundly on one word or phrase than

to skim the surface of several chapters. Read with your own life and choices

in mind.

2. Mediatio (refl ecting on what we are “hearing”) Refl ect on a word or phrase.

Let the special word or phrase that you discovered in the fi rst reading sink

“ Lectio has been used for over 1,500 years. It is gaining popularity as more and more people are fi nding it a powerful way to nurture their spiritual lives. In the past (especially in the Protestant church), we have concentrated on the study of the Bible. As a result we have come to know a lot about the Bible. But we have not been very good at applying the Bible. Lectio divina is an approach that builds on serious Bible study but moves to new depths as we open ourselves to God through the Bible.”

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

- Colossians 3:16

Additional Spiritual Formation Resources are available online at www.spiritualformationstore.com

LECTIO DIVINA

Written by John French, Selah Faculty

into your heart. Bring mind, will and emotions to the task. Be like Mary,

Jesus’ mother, who heard of the angel’s announcement and “treasured” and

“pondered” what she had heard (Luke 2:19).

3. Oratio (praying in response to this hearing) Respond to what you have

read. Form a prayer that expresses your response to the idea, then “pray it

back to God.” What you have read is woven through what you tell God.

4. Contemplatio (contemplating what we will carry forward into our lives)

Rest in God’s word. Let the text soak into your deepest being, savoring an

encounter with God and truth. When ready, move toward the moment in

which you ask God to show you how to live out what you have experienced.

Don’t feel tied rigidly to the structure. Allow your heart to connect with God.

May God bless the reading and receiving of his Word.

Break Th ou the Bread of Life, Dear Lord, to me, As Th ou didst break the loaves beside the sea;

Beyond the sacred page I seek Th ee, Lord; My spirit pants for Th ee, O Living Word.

Th ou art the Bread of Life, O Lord, to me, Th y holy Word, the Truth that saveth me; Give me to eat and live, with Th ee above;

Teach me to love Th y truth, For Th ou art Love.

Bless Th ou the truth, dear Lord, to me, to me, As Th ou didst bless the bread by Galilee;

Th en shall all bondage cease, all fetters fall; And I shall fi nd my peace, my all in all.

Oh, send Th y Spirit, Lord, Now unto me, Th at He may touch my eyes, And make me see; Show me the truth concealed, Within Th y Word,

And in Th y Book revealed, I see the Lord.

• “Read/listen: Read aloud a short passage of Scripture. As you read, listen for the

word or phrase that speaks to you. What is the Spirit draw¬ing attention to?

• Meditate: Repeat aloud the word or phrase to which you are drawn. Make

connections between it and your life. What is God saying to you by means of this

word or phrase?

• Pray: Now take these thoughts and off er them back to God in prayer, giving thanks,

asking for guidance, asking for forgiveness, and resting in God’s love. What is God

leading you to pray?

• Contemplate: Move from the activity of prayer to the stillness of con¬templation.

Simply rest in God’s presence. Stay open to God. Listen to God. Remain in peace

and silence before God. How is God revealing himself to you? (Based on Richard

Peace’s Contemplative Bible Reading)

• As you refl ect upon your past study and reading of Scripture, how has

God spoken to you?

• What new ways might the Spirit be stirring your heart through the

practice of lectio?

• Would you characterize yourself as someone who reads through the

Sctriptures very quickly? If so, would you receive this inviation to slow

down and deeply engage with the Word of God?

• As you prayerfully sit with the Scriptures, are you able to mediatate on a

specifi c word or phrase throughout the day? Th e week? An even longer

period of time?

Additional Spiritual Formation Resources are available online at www.spiritualformationstore.com

Break Th ou the Bread of LifeA HYMN BY MARY A. LATHBURY, 1877

SUGGESTED SPIRITUAL FORMATION RESOURCES Contemplative Bible Reading, Richard Peace

Shaped by the Word: Th e Power of Sacred Scripture in Spiritual Formation, Robert Mulholland

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES REFLECTION QUESTIONS

A Prayer of Illumination:Shine within our hearts, Glorious One, the pure light of your divine knowledge. And illumine our minds and hearts that we may understand and embrace the treasures of your Holy Word. Amen.

Retreat Guides Advent Assurance of Hope Atributes of God (I & II) Lent Meditating on God’s World

Pentecost Reclaiming Rest and Renewal Sabbath Spiritual Discernment

Books Written By The LTI Team

Stephen A. Macchia

A Leader’s Path to

Spiritual Transformation

BR

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AN

D W

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Macch

ia

Foundational Texts of Spiritual Formation General Prayer Guides On Intimacy with Christ On Personal Discipleship On Personal Identity On Prayer On Preparing for Advent On Preparing for Lent On Sabbath Rest On Spiritual Classics On Spiritual Community On Spiritual Direction/Friendship

On Spiritual Discernment On Spiritual Disciplines On Spiritual Formation On Spiritual Formation Dictionaries On Spiritual Leadership On Spiritual Living On Spiritual Reading and Listening Prayer The Attributes of God Upper Room Spiritual Classics - Series 1 Upper Room Spiritual Classics - Series 2 Upper Room Spiritual Classics - Series 3

Spiritual Formation Amazon Store

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Pierce Fellows

Mercy of God Noticing of God Open Handed Prayer Order of Love Peterson on Prayer Prayer Receiving God’s Forgiveness Reflective Journaling Retreats for Companioning

with God Righteousness of God Sabbath Ceasing Sabbath Embracing and

Feasting Sabbath Resting Silence and Solitude Sovereignty of God Spiritual Discernment Spiritual Formation Group

Sharing and Listening Spiritual Friendship This Life as a Pilgrimage

Towards the Next Willard on Formation

MINISTRY STATS & HIGHLIGHTS2016 Ministry Stats

45 Emmaus participants between 2 cohorts, 5 completed their Certificates in Spiritual Leadership

51 Selah Participants; 14 graduates in 2 locations: Selah- West (Arizona), Selah-East (New England/Mid-Atlantic)

60 Pierce Fellows, 3 campuses of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

31 Churches (1,725 individual participants) utilized our Church Health Assessment Tool (CHAT)

Spiritual Formation events/retreats held in 10 U.S states and 2 foreign countries

7,335 monthly recipients of our spiritual formation resource, Silencio Who We’ve Served in 20163,111 Individuals61 Churches12 Organizations

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FY 2015

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Ministry Highlights in 2016 Emmaus: Spiritual Leadership Community commenced

cohort #10 with a roster of 29 participants.

Selah Certificate Program in Spiritual Direction launched cohort #10 (Selah-East) and #11 (Selah-West) with 13 and 10 new enrollees respectively. We currenlty have 51 spiritual directors in training this fall

LTI continued to provide leadership for the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; our 13th year mentoring 60 Pierce Fellows providing soul care across three campuses.

Partnered with various ministries, such as Fuller Theological Seminary, The Salvation Army, Cornerstore Pastors Network, Park Street Schools, and the Foursquare Gateway District, teaching and training in the importance of spiritual formation and soul care in the life of every Christian leader.

Our CHAT resource (Church Health Assessment Tool) surpassed the 420th church mark, and linked arms with 48 partner organizations - helping churches listen well to their people as they discern God’s direction for their future.

Steve Macchia and Rick Anderson completed their 10th trip to Eastern Europe to offer leadership development and soul care to less fortunate brothers and sisters, and the 8th year in a row serving in the politically-torn country of Moldova.

Added to the resources available through LTI Publications including Renewing Your Church Through Healthy Small Groups, Outstretched Arms of Grace (Lenten Devotional), and a newly released downloadable retreat guide, The Assurance of Hope.

Ended fiscal year 2015 in the black for the 8th year in a row, thanks to the faithful generosity of our ministry partners.

Conducted a spiritual pilgrimage to Ovieto, Italy with a group of 31 participants, visiting significant church history sites.

Hosted several hundred attendees at The Deeper Life with Ann Voskamp, Mark Buchanan and music from Justin Unger.

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Functional Expenses* Program Expenses: $546,635 Administrative Expenses: $57,023 Fundraising Expenses: $25,790

87%

9%4%

Financial Data*

Revenue Cash Donations $346,585 Other Revenue $292,161 Total Revenue $638,746

Expenses Program $546,635 Administrative $57,023 Fundraising $25,790 Total Expenses $629,448

Net Income: $9,298

*Data for year ended December 31, 2015

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total revenue total expenses

I have committed my life to The Salvation Army. Though the ministry is a privilege, sometimes the battlefield is rough, and I just want to retreat from the frontline. Leadership Transformations came into my life at a time when every day was a battle. My husband and I were burning out in our service to the Lord and we saw no end to our struggles. We were able to arrange individual time with LTI lead-ers, Steve Macchia and Jeremy Stefano. This time became an oasis of calm for me. Transparency was encouraged and soul care was prescribed. Through Scripture, prayer and quiet time, I felt my spirit strengthened and reinforced for combat. Through this experience, I learned to take time with Scripture and let it cover my wounds with Holy salve. I learned that I must step back some-times so I can be more present when most needed. Thank you, LTI, for showing me the importance of soul care.

Capt. Armida HarperThe Salvation Army (MA)Cambridge, MA

New England OfficeP.O. Box 338

Lexington, MA 02420

Colorado Springs OfficeP.O. Box 64530

Colorado Springs, CO 80962

Houston OfficeP.O. Box 42535

Houston, TX 77242

1-877-TEAM-LTI

Visit us online:LeadershipTransformations.org

HealthyChurch.netSpiritualFormationStore.com

RuleOfLife.com